UIC Team Camp: Scotty B’s Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More high school basketball was played in the Chicagoland area in between the live period events as we were at UIC for their annual team camp.&nbsp; This is always a fun stop in between the high school live periods to check out some teams we didn't see and get a second look at others.&nbsp; Here is a recap of the day in <strong>UIC Team Camp: Scotty B's Notebook</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lincoln Park Has Pieces to Make Noise in CPS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liked what we saw overall throughout the day from Lincoln Park watching 2 ½ of their games.&nbsp; In a CPS that isn't going to be loaded with stars like usual a team like Lincoln Park could be a serious contender at the top.&nbsp; They have veterans, depth, experience, versatility, and balance.&nbsp; Their go to player and highest ranked upperclassmen is 2026 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2105399' first='Ahmad' last='Lee'].&nbsp; Wing with good size and he was assertive throughout the day getting to the cup for layups and nifty finishes around the cup.&nbsp; Pushed in transition and was effective as a transition finisher.&nbsp; Scrappy defender that will get steals as well.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2734375' first='Jaylen' last='Dickerson'] brings the swagger to this squad in the backcourt as the strong bodied lead guard is well built and a plus mid-range shooter.&nbsp; He plays with speed and makes things happen.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2831535' first='Larry' last='Harris'] is a high-motor 2026 undersized big man that is so efficient as a finisher around the cup. Seals off his man on entry passes, runs the floor, and is always in the right spot to clean things up.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2439327' first='Jalil' last='Amous'] was a new name that emerged as a 6'4” big bodied post with nimble footwork and ball skills.&nbsp; He can handle it, shoot from three, and score with his strength/touch combo down in the paint.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2436249' first='Ashton' last='Flowers'] is a 5'11” 2026 point guard that emerged with a strong day.&nbsp; Compact guard that made quick passes on the fly and good decisions with the rock.&nbsp; Their highest upside prospect is 2028 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2542413' first='Alvin' last='Robinson'].&nbsp; Broad shouldered wing that is a vocal defender, capable shooter, and connective passer.&nbsp; The athleticism and physical tools scream long term prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Senior Inside Outside Punch Leads Riverside Brookfield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We saw Riverside Brookfield fall to Lincoln Park in the opener on Tuesday.&nbsp; Their star [player_tooltip player_id='2105396' first='Cameron' last='Mercer'] had a slow start, but got his team back in the contest in the second half.&nbsp; He is coming off a good weekend on his home floor during the live period.&nbsp; Capable shooter from mid-range and three.&nbsp; Late in the game it was his defensive activity that ignited some things including a transition dunk.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2415527' first='Colin' last='Cimino'] is a 6'6” four man worth monitoring.&nbsp; Floor spacer that had a clean shot from distance and was fouled on a fluid post move.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Plainfield East Backcourt Primed to Post High Scoring Numbers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Was looking forward to checking out Plainfield East and they more than lived up to the billing blowing out Von Steuben in the game we evaluated.&nbsp; Senior shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1552473' first='Alijah' last='Little'] continues his helium from the spring where he shined as a more versatile scorer than we had previously seen.&nbsp; That was in place here as well with his transition scoring, cutting off the ball, and acrobatic finishes.&nbsp; His running mate is 6'6” point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2406554' first='KJ' last='Miller'] as the 2027 prospect has a long and lanky frame with a lot of projectability.&nbsp; Very smooth with the ball in his hands getting to the cup finishing with either hand.&nbsp; Seems to glide to the basket and has potential as a shooter hitting one from the corner with a nice stroke.&nbsp; Showed some passing instincts which make him intriguing as he threw several nice dishes off live dribbles. [player_tooltip player_id='2388062' first='Justin' last='Paszkowski'] is a plus shooter in the 2026 class that can really let it fly nailing three triples in the game we saw.&nbsp; Another rising senior for this team to watch at the small college level is strong and athletic post [player_tooltip player_id='2387603' first='Leslie' last='Pobee'].&nbsp; The four man finishes out of the dunker spot, pounds the offensive boards, and is mobile on the interior. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brown Emerges for St. Laurence</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We saw St. Laurence fall to Lincoln Park and then take care of Bloomington Central Catholic with their starters only playing about a quarter of the game.&nbsp; The prospect that jumped off the floor to us was 2028 6'4” small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2532014' first='Logan' last='Brown'].&nbsp; We saw him at RB and he continues to intrigue us.&nbsp; The lefty has good size, strength, athleticism, and a clean looking shot.&nbsp; Active wing that flies in for offensive rebounds and is a factor in the open floor.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2323617' first='Markese' last='Peoples'] is a big bodied guard that plays with physicality downhill bullying his way in for scores.&nbsp; When [player_tooltip player_id='2125677' first='Reggie' last='Stevens'] is knocking in threes and playing off his athleticism in the open floor he is a factor.&nbsp; Another young guard to watch is 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2385372' first='Noah' last='Corro'].&nbsp; He is still finding his way running this team as a rising sophomore, but the tools are certainly there along with his knack for drawing contact in the lane and making trips to the charity stripe.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Antioch Has Intriguing 2029 to Track</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Got our first look at Antioch 2029 6'4” small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2389066' first='Miles' last='Marabella'].&nbsp; The young wing showcased a good looking jump shot from both mid-range and three.&nbsp; Long and rangy frame.&nbsp; Displayed handles being able to get in the lane and finish with floaters.&nbsp; One to track moving forward!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kelley Shoots It in Second Half and New Name Develops for Farragut</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1845355' first='Latrell' last='Kelley'] started off slow for Farragut, but the 2026 scoring lead guard got it rolling in the second half to get his team the win against Antioch.&nbsp; Crisp mid-range game that can occasionally stretch to three although he struggled from there in the first half.&nbsp; Crafty finisher around the cup and has the strength to take a bump and still score.&nbsp; Classic tough Chicago city scoring guard.&nbsp; Deangelo Embrey popped on our radar as the 2027 small forward showcased some intriguing tools as a long and lanky wing that could really shoot it from beyond the arc along with being active flying in for rebounds.&nbsp; Scored 15 in the victory.&nbsp; A name you will be hearing more in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Backcourt Trio Strong for Hyde Park</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hyde Park is a pretty balanced team, but it was three guys that shined in the game we saw Tuesday were guards Amare Leflore, Lonnie Mosley, and Keontae Douglas.  Lefore continues to push the tempo, play off his tenacious defense, and get out in the open floor.  Mosley played with good pace and shot making in the mid-range and from three.  Douglas is a 5'11” 2028 guard that has some upside as a scorer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shepard 2028 Post Best Prospect at Event</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Without a doubt the best prospect in the gym on Tuesday was Shepard 2028 big man [player_tooltip player_id='2834463' first='Amari' last='Williams'].  The big man has broad shoulders, functional strength, and plus athleticism.  Has all the physical tools you look for in a young post.  High/low finishes, good footwork, power moves into hook shots, rim running, and finishing out of the dunker spot were some of the ways he put up points.  He was the best rebounder at the event as well snatching rebounds in traffic at a high rate in both games we saw.  Top 5 prospect in 2028 and the highest ranked big man in the class.  Fellow 2028 forward Brendin Thomas is one to monitor.  Strong bodied forward that rebounded well and finished out of the dunker spot.  Danny McGovern is a guard for Shepard that can really shoot it as the 2026 guard is on the smaller side, but definitely has some shot making potential for a small college.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pair of 2027s Show Flashes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here we look at a pair of ranked prospects in the 2027 class that we only saw for a half each, but showed promise.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2455395' first='Keshaun' last='Manney'] of Bloomington Central Catholic is a lead guard that plays with a lot of swagger.&nbsp; Athletic guard that can get in the lane for floaters and has deep range on his three point shot.&nbsp; OPRF power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2125578' first='AJ' last='Enyia'] is a long and rangy power forward that gets on the glass with his quick second jump for put backs.&nbsp; Also swatted several shots and knocked in a 15 foot jumper.&nbsp; Projectable athlete to monitor.&nbsp; His 2026 teammate at OPRF had a big second half as [player_tooltip player_id='2133089' first='Jerome' last='Delaney'] got hot from distance draining three triples as the duo teamed up for a nice win over Lincoln Park.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bloom Future is In 2029 Guards</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was several years back that Bloom brought in a core group of players, kept them together for four years, and when they became seniors they were the best team in the state.&nbsp; Bloom hopes for the same except a different ending with their 2029 group.&nbsp; It is built around three guards led by Keiwon Gulley.&nbsp; The high scoring led guard showcased his defense on Tuesday racking up steals left and right turning them into points.&nbsp; Kaiden McCullen is a smaller guard who is a pesky defender at the point of attack and uses his quickness to make trips to the charity stripe and for layups.&nbsp; Larry Ellis has some projectability with his length as a rangy guard that can impact on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->