The Tune Up: Mike's Sunday 2027 Standouts

The Tune Up allowed AAU programs around the Chicago area to get some quality competition before playing in crucial live period weekend tournaments over the next two weekends, in this article I'll break down my 2027 standouts from the day of action.    Bowers was skilled for his size and showed off his ability to attack and finish using either hand at the rim. Early in the game I saw Bowers took a DHO with his left hand and had an and-1 finish at the rim and later in the game had a couple quick moves to score with his right hand. A lob threat, Bowers teammates looked to hit him when he rolled hard to the rim or was available in transition to catch and finish higher than the defense could reach. Bowers length also played a factor on the defensive end of the court as he swatted a couple shots out of bounds that came too close to him. Finally, Bowers showed soft touch at the free throw line as well, a crucial skill for a big man who plays with physicality to use.     Eilerman was involved a lot in the half-court offense for his team despite being a wing forward. Usually in grassroots basketball the guards run the show with a lot of dribbling but Eilerman was used as a passer, screen setter and decision maker for his team. His most impressive bucket of the day came on a euro-step in transition that left his defender in the dust. This was my first time watching Eilerman and I'm not surprised he has already found a spot in the 2027 Illinois rankings.     The go-to option for his PAC Elite squad in the game I caught, Schlicht was making shots on the perimeter and one of the few players on his team that created space off the dribble in the half-court. While Schlicht is a prolific shooter from long distance, the spin move was what was most effective for him on Sunday. There were multiple drives where it looked like nothing was open and then bam Schlicht uses a spin move to create an angle to score at the rim. Impressive perimeter scorer for his team.     One of the most productive bigs I saw all weekend, Ottaway had multiple steals underneath his own basket after the defense thought they finished a defensive stop with a rebound. That heads up defense with quick hands, awareness and care to not foul got four free points for his team and that's the difference in a game decided by just three points. Ottaway also passed the ball impressively for a post player of his size, scanning the court and making the right read. In crunch time Ottaway also had a key putback layup where he simply wanted it more than the opposition to lead his team to a win.     In a tie game with 30 seconds left, Ottaway secured a rebound for his All In team that gave them the ball in a tied contest and the chance to hold for the last shot. That possession took down the clock and Leyva caught the ball and fired away a game-winning 3-pointer with three seconds left to break a tie and win the game for his squad. The ability to have the confidence to take that shot in a clutch moment like that and come through for your team should be a big confidence boost for Leyva.

The Tune Up allowed AAU programs around the Chicago area to get some quality competition before playing in crucial live period weekend tournaments over the next two weekends, in this article I'll break down my 2027 standouts from the day of action.