Freshman Showcase First Glance

Sunday's Illinois Freshman Showcase brought energy from the opening. The incoming 2029 class brought competitiveness and promise, with several prospects putting their names on the radar. Here's a look at a handful of players who stood out in their first live matchups.    Jamison was the first player to catch my eye in the opening game and he proved to be the best overall that I watched. He plays with maturity beyond his age, showing comfort as both a scorer and facilitator. Leading the offense, he balanced inside-out scoring with timely assists, pushing the tempo with poise and accurate passes. His eyes-up approach as the primary ball-handler consistently created playmaking opportunities. He attacked the basket with purpose, finishing through contact, and rebounded with intent.     He impressed with quick changes of direction and strong footwork. Showed the skill to take the ball coast-to-coast. His athleticism stood out, highlighted by a transition dunk that energized the gym. Defensively, his length allowed him to disrupt passing lanes and rack up steals, while on the glass he extended for rebounds despite being a smaller guard. Offensively, he added perimeter touch, knocking down threes with a solid, balanced shooting form. Pure energy giver that made plays all over.     One of the few out-of-state prospects, Bazin made an immediate statement to remember his name. He was a reliable off-ball contributor, creating opportunities through smart cuts, floor running, rebounding, and constant hustle. His high-energy style translated into impact plays on both ends, including a crafty hop-step finish and consistently finding soft spots in the defense. Defensively, his positioning and length allowed him to shut down drives and deflect passes. Bazin is the type of player who contributes in every area and leaves a clear imprint on the game.     The 6'8” freshman showcased plenty of promise. While still raw as a shot blocker, his timing and verticality give him a strong foundation beyond just size. Rebounding stood out as a clear strength — he high-pointed the ball, quickly found outlets, and battled on the offensive glass to extend possessions. His motor shows in the way he stays with plays and refuses to quit early. Offensively, he even flashed some ball-handling ability for a big, allowing him to maneuver past defenders and add versatility to his game.     Endresen flashes the kind of raw tools that suggest a bright future. He's a high-energy guard who plays under control, consistently getting paint touches and finishing with soft touch or finding smart kick-outs when defenders collapse. He mixed in a few acrobatic finishes and showed a smooth mid-range pull-up off the bounce. At his position, he rebounds well and makes hustle plays — chasing long boards and diving on the floor. Defensively, his active hands, lateral quickness, and disciplined closeouts stand out.     The Deerfield freshman impressed with the calmness and awareness he brought to the showcase. He displayed strong rebounding instincts, securing boards and keeping them away from steals — always showing a nose for the ball. His screening was another asset, as Newman set wide, firm picks that freed up teammates. Offensively, he showed the strength to finish through contact in the paint and the patience to read defenses in the post before making the right decision. His maturity and fundamentals already give him a reliable foundation to build on.     He brought leadership and poise at the point, something you want in a floor general. His handle is tight, quick, and controlled, allowing him to consistently attack the middle and make plays. At the rim he mixed finishes with smart dishes to cutters and spot-up shooters, while also flashing a shifty spin move to create separation and better shot angles. His three-point range is developing . Defensively, he made his presence felt with deflections and steals that fueled transition opportunities.

Sunday's Illinois Freshman Showcase brought energy from the opening. The incoming 2029 class brought competitiveness and promise, with several prospects putting their names on the radar. Here's a look at a handful of players who stood out in their first live matchups.