National Open Championship: Illinois 2027 and 2028 Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the weekend PHI was at the National Open Championship in Indianapolis.&nbsp; We saw a ton of Illinois teams play and here are the prospects that stood out in the 2026 class!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>2027 Prospects</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ricardo Garcia (Illinois Outwork)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Garcia was the best player for Illinois Outwork in their Saturday morning game.&nbsp; The smaller guard that can shoot it from deep making an array of threes.&nbsp; He pushed in the open floor with speed often off his pesky defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2385164' first='Cash' last='Brooks'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brooks is a name to watch as the Murphysboro 2027 shooting guard had a nice game against Capital City.&nbsp; He is a good shot maker that can shoot off the catch from three, but also create in the mid-range with his shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2455400' first='Damonte' last='Phillips'] (Illinois Warriors)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Phillips is a blur with the ball in his hands.&nbsp; The Decatur MacArthur speedy guard pushes the pace in transition.&nbsp; Also showed some consistency as a shooter in the game we saw knocking in a trio of triples.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>2028 Prospects</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2569185' first='Bryce' last='Bohnhoff'](Illinois Warriors)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Really liked what we saw from this Dietrich shooting guard.&nbsp; Has sneaky athletic pop throwing down a big dunk along with being a good transition player.&nbsp; Drained a three and showed some instincts on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2832367' first='Makhi' last='House'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>House jumped on our radar with a strong performance on Friday night.&nbsp; The 6'0” guard has good length and some projectability to continue to grow.&nbsp; Liked the motor and activity level that he brought on both ends of the floor.&nbsp; Posts up against weaker guards, gets in the lane for finishes, and is a quality rebounder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2832359' first='Harper' last='Lustenberger'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Carterville guard brings nice size to the table at the lead guard spot.&nbsp; Showed good playmaking instincts and scored in the paint on a variety of layups.&nbsp; He has a nice mid-range shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2832355' first='DJ' last='Hayes'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayes is a speedy guard that who is naturally gifted and being slippery getting to the rack off the bounce for scores in the paint.&nbsp; Has the ball on a string in traffic and is so tough to stay in front of.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2369863' first='KT' last='Thomas'] (Illinois Warriors)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas is another Decatur MacArthur product that has upside.&nbsp; What we like about him is his long arms and long term upside.&nbsp; Plus athlete that plays with speed going coast to coast with the ball in his hands.&nbsp; I also liked seeing the progression of him playing as a primary ball handler which we hadn't previously seen.&nbsp; Make solid reads off live dribbles while showing he could score with burst on straight line takes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2532031' first='Roosevelt' last='Thomas'] (Chi-Town Bulldogs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas missed the first half of the game we saw, but the De La Salle shooting guard got it rolling in the second half where he scored 14 points.&nbsp; Big and physical guard that loves to attack downhill with his physicality and strength.&nbsp; Excellent finisher in traffic and plays with a high-motor.&nbsp; Bruising wing who rebounds well and can knock in a jumper on occasion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->