January Check-In: NW Suburbs Underclassmen

As January winds down, I'm spotlighting underclassmen from Chicago's northwest suburbs who I've evaluated throughout the month but haven't yet featured. This group includes prospects from Crystal Lake South, McHenry, Schaumburg, and Buffalo Grove. The list mixes in ranked names alongside unranked players and newcomers who are beginning to emerge. In this first installment, the focus is on the 2027 and 2028 classes. Let's take a look at the underclassmen making noise.    Morgan has shown significant improvement over the course of the season as a starting sophomore for Crystal Lake South. His ball-handling has taken a step forward, as he plays with confidence and poise, maintaining control when defenses ramp up pressure. He also brings an unselfish approach as a distributor, making strong passes, showing good peripheral vision, and understanding when to move the ball if his shot isn't falling. Beyond his guard-like skills, Morgan consistently contributes on the glass, using his long 6'6” frame to his advantage.     [player_tooltip player_id='2369943' first='John' last='Morgan'] has started to show increased confidence as a sophomore role player, carving out a steady presence in the rotation. He brings size and length to the interior, where his defensive instincts stand out. He reads passing lanes well, creating steals and deflections with his wide arms. Offensively, he shows readiness to move the ball, quickly passing out of the post and around the paint. Morgan understands his role and fills it effectively within the rotation.     For McHenry, Currie has shown the ability to connect from deep, getting good arc on his shot to shoot over defenders and knock down open looks with calmness. In the half court, his off-ball movement allows him to sneak behind defenses and create open passing windows. Continued growth in shooting confidence will be important, as he can be hesitant to let it fly when given space. He's also flashed ball-sharing ability in the open floor, hitting teammates in stride. Defensively, when McHenry goes to its 3–2 zone, Currie brings energy on the wings, applying pressure and forcing the offense to speed up.     Ottaway is a reliable post presence for the Warriors, doing a good job of establishing position on the block and converting with touch around the rim. When teammates attack the basket, he consistently places himself in the right spots for dump-offs, showing soft hands and awareness. In transition, he runs the floor well and looks to finish at the rim. Beyond scoring, rebounding is also a strong suit for Ottaway, as he uses his 6'5” frame to seal defenders and actively pursue the ball on both ends of the floor.     Edwin is jittery and quick defensively along the perimeter, reading actions and fighting through screens to stay attached to his man. Offensively, he can find a rhythm in high-pressure moments, showing craft with off-balance finishes, push shots on drives, pull-ups off the bounce, and reliable three-point touch. He does a good job mixing up his scoring package and brings explosiveness to Buffalo Grove's offense. A top sophomore in the Mid-Suburban League.     The junior is capable of running the point with precision ball-handling and deceptive quickness. He does damage when getting into the paint, either finishing at the rim or creating opportunities for others with his vision. His awareness in the half court stands out, consistently setting up teammates and keeping the ball moving. A true team player, he can contribute as a scorer while prioritizing playmaking, all while bringing a high motor and competitive mentality.     Shogren is one of the top shooters in the area, capable of knocking down threes at a high volume. Beyond his perimeter shooting, he's shown positive signs putting the ball on the floor and attacking the rim on straight-line drives. Add in developing touch from the mid-range, and his offensive game continues to expand beyond just being a deep-shot threat. The hustle is there, and as he continues to round out his skill set, his overall impact will rise. Defensive quickness and on-ball containment remain areas for growth, but he's an under-the-radar prospect worth tracking as he grows.     A sophomore role player for the Saxons, Harrell has flashed playmaking when his opportunities arise. He shows confidence shooting from distance and has converted in crunch time during close games. He's also eager to put the ball on the floor and attack gaps in the defense. Harrell competes on the defensive end and brings energy and toughness off the bench while maintaining a calm demeanor. It's a positive sign for a young player earning varsity minutes.

As January winds down, I'm spotlighting underclassmen from Chicago's northwest suburbs who I've evaluated throughout the month but haven't yet featured. This group includes prospects from Crystal Lake South, McHenry, Schaumburg, and Buffalo Grove. The list mixes in ranked names alongside unranked players and newcomers who are beginning to emerge. In this first installment, the focus is on the 2027 and 2028 classes. Let's take a look at the underclassmen making noise.