PH Chi-Town Tip Off: C/O 2029 Watchlist Rim Protectors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHI was at the Prep Hoops Circuit first stop in Illinois for the 2026 season. I had a chance to be in Romeoville covering the 2 days worth of events. Several new and emerging prospects stood out with their consistency and versatility. Here we will take a deeper dive into a handful of impactful centers and forwards who were difference makers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kellen Spicer","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cedar Rapids Jefferson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='2626519' first='Drive' last='Pro Select'] ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69de7e3d25358"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the few true centers in the 15U division this weekend. Pops out right away obviously with height but has other attributes that he provides as well. Reads the ball quickly off the rim with anticipation. Has a quick set of hands for size. Wingspan is advantageous from the paint area. Rim ran consistently throughout with mobility. Upside is here to track.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3575937"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69de7e3d253c8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Matured height for age so pops out immediately. Still has some coordination to go but is a starting 5 for a team that went 3-1 this weekend in a competitive division. Defensively challenges in the lane with a lanky and long post presence. Had multiple offensive rebounds and put backs for second chance scores. Showed some touch on a euro-step finish driving through the lane. Overall a defensive anchor with continued upside offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3585969"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69de7e3d25412"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Had a relentless rebounding presence on the offensive end. Easily had double digits in the offensive board department and close to 20 overall in second game of day on Saturday. Endures contact to finish through physicality and keep motor running. Successful on a couple and 1's. A rim protector on the defensive side. Consistently controlled the paint by disrupting drives and coming up with clean blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3566665"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69de7e3d25458"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rusak has a long wingspan that he utilizes well on the interior area. Rebounds it at a high rate on both sides of the ball. Offensively will spin move or drop step after the catch to finish. Also added some mid-range touch on a possession. On the defensive end he will contest drives and disrupt passing lanes. Overall ran the floor well as team's big and will continue to progress in that position. Started post for team that went 4-0 on weekend slate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3589398"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69de7e3d2549b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Played nearly the whole game for squad in the morning game on Sunday. May not be an impactful scorer but certainly plays a big part in other ways. Defensively is where he made his most value. Protected the paint with multiple blocks and helped force turnovers on interior. Outlets it quick off rebounds. Showed a couple flashes of offensive stamina with some post finishes and inside out kick backs to perimeter. Will continue to develop but tangibly is there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->