Senior Stars Shine at Chicago Elite Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chicago Elite Classic is one of the premier annual must attend scouting events in the state of Illinois.&nbsp; PHI was in the house for every game on Friday and Saturday.&nbsp; Here is a look at the 2026 prospects that made the biggest impact!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2454169' first='Brad' last='Blackman'] (Crane)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blackman is one of the premier defensive players in the state of Illinois and that was certainly seen with his performance against Perspectives.&nbsp; Both laterally and vertically he leaves such an impact on that end with his long arms, mobility, and shot blocking.&nbsp; Blackman can defend pretty much every position at the high school level.&nbsp; He protects the rim at a high level.&nbsp; Offensively he struggled shooting it in this game as his best work was done getting on the offensive glass or making quick moves in the paint for scores.&nbsp; The plus athlete had 17 points (7-21 FG), 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 6 blocks.&nbsp; One of the best combo forwards still on the board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2439310' first='[player_tooltip player_id='2375418' first='Tristan' last='']' last='Howard'] (Perspectives)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howard had a dominant performance at the CEC in the opening game.&nbsp; You have to like the frame, length, and ability to board.&nbsp; Very good defender as well as he blocked shots at a high rate throughout the game.&nbsp; Scored round the hoop on junk yard dog plays, put backs, and rim runs.&nbsp; He had 9 points (4-8 FG), 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552486' first='Danny' last='Houlihan'] (New Trier)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The High Point commit is a sharp shooter that has a sweet lefty shot.&nbsp; One of the premier catch and shoot guys in the class.&nbsp; Drained a couple from deep, but also attacked close outs well and did a pretty good job of getting to the charity stripe.&nbsp; He had 14 points and 4 rebounds in their win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2831535' first='Larry' last='Harris'] (Lincoln Park)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris was the only thing that kept Lincoln Park in their game against Hyde Park on Friday.&nbsp; Super high-motor undersized four man was a monster with his relentlessness and rebounding.&nbsp; Put backs, hook shots, transition, and playing off his defense.&nbsp; The value here is with the rebounding, defense, and motor.&nbsp; Ideal fit a the JUCO level.&nbsp; He had 20 points (9-14 FG), 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2962262' first='Marvin' last='Douglas'] (Homewood Flossmoor)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Douglas stepped up in a major way for HF in their win against Bolingbrook.&nbsp; Long and lanky combo forward who was a force on the offensive glass with his bounce and quickness getting quite a few put backs along with playing above the rim.&nbsp; Efficient showing as he had 15 points (7-9 FG) and 9 rebounds (5 offensive).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105360' first='Lincoln' last='Williams'] (Kankakee)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams has set at the top of the 2026 rankings for a year and a half.&nbsp; His performance vs Pace (GA) might have been the best we have ever seen him.&nbsp; It was a dominant performance where he left his imprint on the game on both ends of the floor. &nbsp;The physical tools jump off the page with his length and athleticism.&nbsp; He is starting to understand how to use it.&nbsp; Defensively he smothered Pace getting into their perimeter players, cutting passing lanes, and swatting shots.&nbsp; Turned defense into offense.&nbsp; Williams threw down several dunks off steals, baseline out of bounds plays, and in transition.&nbsp; He was assertive attacking off the bounce and banged in a pair of threes including setting up one with a jab step.&nbsp; He also shared the wealth with his passing instincts.&nbsp; Anyone who saw that game I have a hard time saying he isn't the best senior in the state.&nbsp; Went for 28 points (12-15 FG) (2-4 3PT), 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks, and 2 steals.&nbsp; Williams remains uncommitted.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552625' first='EJ' last='Hazelett'] (Kankakee)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indiana State signee had his first big stage with his new team after moving in from Indiana.&nbsp; The face up four fits the new age game as a post.&nbsp; He can stretch the floor with his shooting knocking in a pair of threes and the lefty can also win from the mid-post off the bounce.&nbsp; Passed it well and was a standout defensively racking up the steals.&nbsp; He had 16 points (5-7 FG), 5 rebounds, 6 steals, and 2 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2734369' first='Justin' last='Oliver'] (Curie)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oliver is among the better uncommitted point guards on the board.&nbsp; He carried Curie in their win against Warren.&nbsp; He opened up in the early going by draining a pair of threes and then was in attack mode the rest of the night.&nbsp; Slick ball handler that got two feet in the paint for creative finishes throughout the game.&nbsp; He was a beast in the fourth quarter leading them to a come from behind win showing off his athleticism on the defensive end and ability to get his own shot offensively.&nbsp; His line read 24 points (9-22 FG), 9 rebounds (4 offensive), 5 steals, 1 block, 1 assist, and 5 turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2436956' first='Kamari' last='Hamlin'] (Simeon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hamlin is a thick bodied wing that brings a lot of skill to the table.&nbsp; Knows how to use his strength and handles to his advantage in the post, spin moves off the bounce, and sweeping finishes.&nbsp; He had 17 points (7-15 FG) against Chaminade.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1435692' first='Rykan' last='Woo'] (DePaul Prep)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woo is a high IQ lead guard that is one of the best combination of playmakers and shot makers in the class.&nbsp; In the loss to La Lumiere the Brown commit definitely showcased he has game changing ability in the Ivy League.&nbsp; Shot it well from beyond the arc, passed it in the pick/roll when opportunities presented themselves, and was scrappy defensively with active hands.&nbsp; He notched 18 points (4-8 3PT) and 3 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552475' first='Marquis' last='Clark'] (Whitney Young)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tennessee signee had a high-level performance against St. Ignatius.&nbsp; Strong bodied combo guard with shifty handles which allows him to get through tight spaces in traffic.&nbsp; Missed a few bunnies early, but then he had it rolling after that.&nbsp; The Dolphins lead guard converted euro steps and acrobatic layups.&nbsp; Finished through contact, got on the offensive glass, and lived at the foul line.&nbsp; He had 23 points (7-14 FG) (9-10 FT), 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323283' first='Chris' last='Bolte'] (St. Ignatius)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yale commit has continued his helium from June into the high school season as one of the best senior big men in the state.&nbsp; His ability to attack off the bounce from the high-post has improved so much over the last few years.&nbsp; Touch and strength finishing around the hoop along with some reverse layups.&nbsp; Also was impressed with how he passed the ball off live dribbles leading to open shots.&nbsp; He had 16 points (8-14 FG), 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->