Windy City War: Backcourt Standouts Shine

The Windy City War wrapped up on Sunday afternoon, and the event delivered with highly anticipated matchups along with teams flying under the radar with overlooked talent. Looking back on the weekend, several prospects boosted their stock and made their way onto the watchlist. Let's start with the guards, taking a look at the players who filled their roles pleasantly.    Walton helped Basketball Paradise 17U make a statement Sunday morning with a win over Da Future out of Iowa, and eventually finish the weekend with a 2-2 record.   He showed patience on the perimeter, allowing the defense to shift before knocking down a three. He also created off the bounce, using a change of pace to get downhill where he showed good hang time on his finishes. In transition and half-court actions, he flashed playmaking ability, including a wing drive and wraparound pass for an assist. He also showed value as a facilitator in ball-screen situations, making reads and keeping the offense moving.     Habashy was an instrumental piece in Big 3's Saturday morning matchup against Fueled By Faith 16U. Although Big 3 fell 64–70, they made things interesting down the stretch after trailing by double digits for much of the game.   He set the tone early with a tie-up on the defensive end and stayed active throughout. Offensively, he got into the lane, finishing with both hands well and showing the ability to create contact and angles at the rim by using his body. He mixed in a dribble pull-up and knocked down a three, keeping defenders honest at all three levels. He also showed facilitation skills, setting up teammates and keeping the offense organized when he had the ball in his hands.     Smith was noticed Saturday midday in a standout matchup against a strong [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] Gold 16U squad. In a game that showed why Chicago Fire put together 2 wins and stay competitive in their 2 losses, Smith stood out as a confident, competitive lead guard who consistently looks to make a play.   He plays the point with assertiveness and control, prying into the lane off the dribble and using his body well to get defenders on his backside. Once inside, he showed a creative finishing package, including a baseline runner, step-throughs, and a euro step through traffic. His athleticism and agility allow him to navigate pressure and stay balanced through contact.     Wofford was an integral part of a double-overtime clash against M14 Gold 17U. Playing up a level, Wofford showed a skill set that translates against higher competition, consistently holding his own and impacting the game throughout.   A quick, crafty point guard, he plays with pace and confidence, always looking to make a play. He was effective getting into his size-up package, using a step-back three and pull-up jumper to create offense off the dribble. He also mixed in runners and finishes around the rim, showing touch and creativity in traffic.   He competes with a high motor and a clear winning mentality, especially in a tightly contested game that went the distance, and pushing [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] 17U to 3-1.     I saw a young 2029 [program_tooltip program_id='2075551' first='Indiana' last='Game'] team twice this weekend, and Logan showed why he's a versatile guard who can fill both the point guard and shooting guard spots.   Logan plays with pace as a transition initiator and is an active guard rebounder who helps push the tempo off misses. In the half court, he showed the ability to operate as a playmaker, including making the extra pass and keeping the ball moving. He mixed in a midrange pull-ups, floaters, and showed touch finishing through contact. He also knocked down perimeter shots, hitting from the wing and corner, whether in rhythm or off balance.   Defensively, he contributed with activity and timing, and overall played with a willingness to compete on both ends.

The Windy City War wrapped up on Sunday afternoon, and the event delivered with highly anticipated matchups along with teams flying under the radar with overlooked talent. Looking back on the weekend, several prospects boosted their stock and made their way onto the watchlist. Let's start with the guards, taking a look at the players who filled their roles pleasantly.