PH Chi-Town Tip Off: Max’s Day 1 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven prospects who impressed on Saturday in Chicago at the Prep Hoops Chi-Town Tip Off!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2126460"],"_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-69db7f962a4a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Donte is running with [program_tooltip program_id='2075808' first='Powerhouse' last='MN'] this spring, and it's easy to see the big impact he's going to have with them. In his first game of the weekend Donte started off on fire, scoring at least 17 points in just the first half. Those consisted of multiple threes, a pair of transition dunks, and a couple more finishes right at the rim. He doesn't do anything overly flashy, and is extremely efficient with the shots he takes. Donte does a nice job of using his 6'2+ frame to force turnovers defensively, and once out in the open floor he rarely fails to convert.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Griffin McNeill","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hersey","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Midwest Bobcats","_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-69db8a23e4c15"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Griffin had a nice all-around performance in a win over [program_tooltip program_id='2626519' first='Drive' last='Pro Select']. At 6'3 he offers some length out on the wing, while also providing another ball handling option for his team. He plays with good change of speed which helps him shake his defender when he looks to attack. Throughout the game Griffin hit a couple of threes, threw down a transition dunk, guarded a number of spots on the floor, and hit clutch free throws to seal the win. Strong showing from the 2027 guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3449831"],"_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-69db8a23e4c86"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ethan is a skill and versatile 6'3 junior. He has the size to play the 3 or 4 for [program_tooltip program_id='2626519' first='Drive' last='Pro Select'], but showed he can play a bit of point-forward as well and get his team into their offense. Poised on the ball at 6'3 with the vision to get into the paint and locate an open teammate. High release point on his shot allows him to score over the top of the length, and he flashed a nice turnaround jumper from 8-10 feet in the game I watched. One of the more versatile players I saw on Saturday in the Chicago area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2852805"],"_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-69db8a23e4d13"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kobe is one of the smartest players I saw on Saturday. He's not going to blow you away with elite athleticism or eye catching scoring numbers, but he goes out and makes winning plays. He didn't take a single bad shot in the game I watched, handled it with ease under pressure, and put the ball exactly where it needed to go every possession. Kobe plays the role of a true point guard for [program_tooltip program_id='2075808' first='Powerhouse' last='MN'], and did exactly what he needed to getting all of his teammates involved throughout the game. Came up with a few big plays defensively as well, including a charge late in the game that gave his team a lot of momentum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2813485"],"_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-69db8a23e4d96"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alex had one of the biggest scoring performances that I've seen this weekend. The 6'3 Armstrong wing was draining threes all game long, hitting a high percentage of shots both off the catch and dribble. He doesn't need much time to get his shot off, and always had his hands and feet ready to catch and shoot when the ball came his way. Not going to blow you away with speed but was able to change his pace for a couple of nice takes to the rim. Playing for a team without a true big, Alex also did a good job of contributing on the glass, helping lead his team to a win over 2 Face Elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2531962"],"_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-69db8a23e4de7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Amir is one of the top guards in Illinois' 2028 class, and it's easy to see why. He can go and get a bucket just about any time he wants to, and we see that lethal scoring ability in flashes with Meanstreets 16u. Amir plays with change of pace and poise on the ball that you don't often see in young guards, and is able to make a play out of just about any situation/angle. Amir hit shots from three, he finished strong at the rim, and he found his wings/forwards with well timed passes cutting to the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2204877"],"_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-69db8a23e4e2d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Juelz nearly helped his team battle back from a big deficit to make it a game against Real Phenom. At 6'4 he fits the profile of a next level prospect physically, featuring a long frame with athleticism to match. He showcased a creative handle on the ball to create his own looks, capable of draining a pull-up three or getting all the way to the rim for an acrobatic finisher. Entertaining player to watch out of Iowa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->