What Illinois Big Men Stood Out at UAA Finals?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the weekend I had a chance to catch the Under Armor Association while in Chicago. The [program_tooltip program_id='2078448' first='Illinois' last='Wolves'] and Elevate were the Illinois squads that competed on the against some of the top teams in the nation. Here is a report of the post prospects who made an impact this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>[program_tooltip program_id='2078448' first='Illinois' last='Wolves']</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1845360' first='Rashaun' last='Porter'] Depaul Prep 2026&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Porter continues to have a productive travel season with his strong post play and improving jump shot. His mobility and strength in the paint have been consistent with putting points on the board. Rashaun hitting shots from 15 feet and out is the cherry on top of his game. He went down with a calf injury on Friday and returned to the lineup the next day. His toughness is the reason why schools continue to recruit him hard.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552404' first='Jake' last='Pollack'] Deerfield 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pollack is a space eater in the paint as he used his strong upper body to wall up against opposing post players. His defense was a key factor in the team's success. On offense, Jake cleaned up on the offensive glass with putbacks and occasionally drifted out to the three-point line. Pollack has committed to Dartmouth after his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323620' first='Ed' last='Stasys'] Benet 2027&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ed is a versatile forward who plays with lots of energy and athleticism. At 6'8 he scores well inside the paint and from three. He runs the court with fluidity and isn't afraid of physicality. Stasys' ability to score multiple ways provided a perfect scoring punch with Schroeder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125634' first='Hayden' last='Schroeder'] Wheaton Academy 2027&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The highly skilled post player did his damage around the basket. Hayden has excellent footwork and touch out of the post. He has the ability to face-up in the mid-post and beat guys with strong shot fakes. Schroeder scored 23 points with a handful for rebounds ending the summer with a bang.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Elevate</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552440' first='Adam' last='Anwar'] McHenry 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Great showing from Anwar. He made several threes over the weekend. Playing more of a stretch forward role he has a physically imposing look and crashes the boards well. Adam had a strong presence on the glass and showed growth around the basket when scoring through contact.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hudson Scroggins Lake Forest 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unsigned senior who showed much much-improved skill set and athleticism. Hudson is a versatile forward with a sound skillset. Plays well on the perimeter and can drive with either hand. Scroggins shot it well from mid-range and on the perimeter. In the post he scored easily over smaller guys. Hudson played so well that he received an offer from Valparaiso.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2297870' first='Matthew' last='Szafoni'] Lane Tech 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Played well Saturday. Szafoni's mobility on the perimeter and stability around the basket make him a legitimate prospect. He made his face-up jump shots and scored a few times near the basket. On defense he was a dependable shot blocker and helped a lot on the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125637' first='Jacob' last='Fuller'] Glenbrook South 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacob had a big opening night at the Finals. He made 4 threes en route to a 26-point performance. His ability to score in the post using touch has improved. Fuller was helpful on the glass using his height to rebound in and outside the area. He finished with 10 boards and a win. He runs the floor and finishes well on the break. With added strength will be a no-brainer for some schools.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2437108' first='Omar' last='Ajanovic'] St. Patrick 2027&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A stretch forward who is tough in the paint. Has the size and bulk to be a force in and outside the paint. Omar handled most of the physical post players on defense and did a good job of keeping them off the glass. If Ajanovic continues to play with a motor the colleges will be ready to offer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->