What 2027 Prospects Shined in Holiday Events?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The holiday tournaments might be complete, but the coverage of them is definitely not here at Prep Hoops Illinois!&nbsp; During a nine day period I covered games from Jacobs, Elgin, Wheeling, Hinsdale Central, Jack Tosh, Collinsville, Pekin, Duster-Thomas, and Pontiac.&nbsp; This is a look at the prospects in the junior class that stood above the rest from those events!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2532321' first='Elijah' last='Bell'] (Jacobs – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell is a strong and explosive slashing guard in the junior class.&nbsp; He is at his best using his burst, strength, and body control on scores in the lane.&nbsp; Finishes well through contact and overall is a bucket getter that scores in the paint and at the line.&nbsp; He had 24 points in a loss to Larkin.&nbsp; Best basketball is in front of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125608' first='Dawson' last='Charles'] (St. Viator – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charles was outstanding in the opening round victory against Buffalo Grove.&nbsp; Super athletic 6'1” shooting guard who when he gets hot from three can carry a team which is what he did in this game pouring in four of them.&nbsp; More that just that he played off his athleticism in the open floor going coast to coast, pushing off turnovers, and getting to the rack.&nbsp; Impacted defensively blocking shots and getting steals.&nbsp; He had 27 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323618' first='Alex' last='Sirbu'] (Buffalo Grove – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sirbu went for 24 points and 15 rebounds in their loss to St. Viator.&nbsp; Dominant performance on the glass as he grabbed anything and everything which was near him.&nbsp; Several put backs, threw down a nasty alley-oop, quick spin moves, hook shots, and ran the floor well.&nbsp; Also was a presence defensively as a rim protector.&nbsp; One of the better centers in the junior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2469073' first='Max' last='Beard'] (Woodstock – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beard is a high scoring two guard from Woodstock that has been on the radar since his freshman season.&nbsp; Athletic guard that loves to attack the rack!&nbsp; Maneuvers his body well at the rack having a great feel for finishing around defenders in the paint.&nbsp; Slick ball handler that has good burst on his first step.&nbsp; In this particular game he made one three along with popping a mid-range shot.&nbsp; Rebounds well for a guard.&nbsp; He had 21 points vs Shepard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125634' first='Hayden' last='Schroeder'] (Wheaton Academy – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wheaton Academy star is the top post in the junior class.&nbsp; He showcased why in their opening round loss to St. Laurence as he had 22 points and 12 rebounds.&nbsp; Schroeder is a good athlete with skill and toughness.&nbsp; He was effective beating his man down the floor in transition, slamming it down out of the dunker spot, and garnering deep post position where he could go over either shoulder to score.&nbsp; Rebounds well both in and out of his area with his quickness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2406554' first='KJ' last='Miller'] (Plainfield East – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller is a 6'7” jumbo combo guard that is oozing with upside.&nbsp; One of the more intriguing juniors in the state with his plus size for position along with how smooth his overall game operates.&nbsp; In their first round loss at Jack Tosh to Rockford Auburn he stuffed the stat sheet for 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals.&nbsp; Handles it very well getting to his spots whether that is on drives or pullups.&nbsp; Shoots it a bit over his head, but they go down at a consistent clip both pulling up and off the catch.&nbsp; Flashes playmaking feel with several slick passes off live dribbles.&nbsp; One to watch for sure!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125659' first='Kristopher' last='Mporokoso'] (Waubonsie Valley – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mporokoso is a 6'5” small forward with NBA range as a shooter with his sweet lefty shot and tons of arc on it!&nbsp; He bombed in 3-5 from deep in their first round game against Morgan Park hitting several deep ones along with a step back.&nbsp; The athleticism continues to improve as does his ball handling being comfortable attacking either way including one right handed drive (off hand) where he switched it back to his left to convert the bucket.&nbsp; Also was impactful defensively with a couple LBJ swats in a 21 point and 5 rebound outing!</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>Fuller is a floor spacing big man that excels being able to shoot the ball at his size.&nbsp; He showcased in their win against Hinsdale South draining three from distance for 15 points.&nbsp; Smooth and effortless release.&nbsp; Can settle for it at times though so we liked how he mixed it up with a shot fake attacking the close out, rebounding well in the second half, and using his length to get steals/deflections.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1874813' first='Jayden' last='Taylor'] (Perspectives – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor had a huge game against Lyons as he went for 23 points in the win.&nbsp; He had it all working as the scoring lead guard was dynamic off the bounce slithering his way through the defense utilizing tremendous body control converting at the rack.&nbsp; Reverse layups, euro steps, and-1s, etc!&nbsp; It was all falling.&nbsp; Can create his shot from distance as well including a nice step back three.&nbsp; More than just a scorer he passed it well on the move finding shooters and big men.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2839876' first='Ryan' last='Dinnon'] (Andrew – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dinnon is known as a high level shot maker and that is exactly what he did in the game we saw as he made six triples finishing with 25 points.&nbsp; Floor spacer with a super clean shot mechanically and at 6'7” he can get it off with ease.&nbsp; Quick and consistent release each time.&nbsp; One of the best pure catch and shoot forwards in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125660' first='Lamari' last='Carpenter'] (Glenbard North – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carpenter had a nice game in their second round contest at Tosh.&nbsp; The two guard banged in three triples to open the game including a sick step back.&nbsp; Plus athlete that is more than just a shooter as he got loose in transition and did a solid job of getting his teammates involved with his passing in the half court as he went for 15 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2455373' first='Oturo' last='Redento'] (Glenbard North – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Redento is a stat sheet stuffer that does a little bit of everything for his squad.&nbsp; The lengthy wing has really filled out his frame and the strength is becoming an asset for him.&nbsp; Won on straight line takes off the bounce with slick handles for scores in the paint utilizing quality body control at the cup.&nbsp; Can shoot it pulling up from two and three.&nbsp; Like what he brings with his quickness on the glass both offensively and defensively.&nbsp; Connective passer and length makes a major impact defensively.&nbsp; Against Lemont he had 16 points and 7 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125641' first='Jamier' last='Montgomery'] (Crane – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montgomery was in his bag in the first round win at Pekin vs central Illinois power Moline.&nbsp; The long and angular guard poured in a plethora of pull ups from both two and three.&nbsp; High level shot creator and maker that was at the top of his game in this one.&nbsp; He is a slick ball handler that also showed he could create for others while scoring at a high clip.&nbsp; Finished with 21 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2527254' first='Brian' last='Kizer Jr']. (Leo – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liked what Kizer brought in their first round win against Lanphier.&nbsp; Strong bodied combo guard stuffed the stat sheet while playing with his usual high intensity game.&nbsp; Good pull up shooter, loves to push in the open floor, and has array of finishing moves downhill.&nbsp; Can pass it setting up his guys along with rebounding well for a guard.&nbsp; He had 16 points in a win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125687' first='Travis' last='Brown'] (West Aurora – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top 5 prospect in the junior class took off in the second half against Bloomington.&nbsp; He is a slender guard that can attack the gaps in the defense with his slick handles.&nbsp; Great body control maneuvering at the cup.&nbsp; Shot it pretty well from distance as well going for 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 dimes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323620' first='Ed' last='Stasys'] (Benet – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The helium is real with Stasys as his stock continues to rise!&nbsp; The well built four man is an athletic rebounder that snatches them in traffic and finishes with force around the cup.&nbsp; Seals for slams, can rip attacking on the baseline, catches lobs, and is an underrated passer.&nbsp; Rock solid defensive presence in the paint as well.&nbsp; In a win over Manual he had 12 points and 9 rebounds.&nbsp; Stasys had 14 points and 10 rebounds in the championship game helping Benet capture the crown at Pontiac!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2383925' first='Dariontez' last='Monroe'] (Sparta – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monroe is one of the more underappreciated prospects from the 618.&nbsp; We saw him have a big game in the championship of the Duster Thomas Classic against #1 Woodlawn.&nbsp; He almost single handedly brought them back in the second half as he sliced and diced through the defense for scores off the bounce and going coast to coast.&nbsp; Such a dynamic player with the rock in his hands.&nbsp; He can also knock down shots at a high clip pulling up and spotting up front the corners.&nbsp; Passing flair to go with his scoring pop!&nbsp; He had 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->