Windy City War: Scotty B’s Top 2029 Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who were the Top 2029 Performers I saw from Illinois this past weekend at the Windy City War?&nbsp; Here were a few of the best!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2915584' first='DK' last='Heard'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heard is a high-motor small forward that has a ton of projectability.&nbsp; Plus athlete that was excellent in the two games we saw him over the weekend.&nbsp; The Mt. Carmel long and rangy wing sealed in the high/low game, showed nice footwork around the cup, and took his defender off the bounce for scores at the cup.&nbsp; Big time athlete that excels in transition and playing above the rim.&nbsp; His mid-range shot looked on point knocking in several 15 foot shots.&nbsp; Passed it well on the move and out of the high-post area to cutters.&nbsp; Lengthy defender who competes on that end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2767906' first='Ronald' last='Johnson'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson has made a strong case as the top guard in the 2029 class.&nbsp; One of the biggest reasons was shown this past weekend.&nbsp; He doesn't need to score to be impactful.&nbsp; While he did have his moments as a downhill terror off the bounce it was his passing and on ball defense that made the biggest impression.&nbsp; Pushed the ball in the open floor while also showing feel in the half court.&nbsp; Passes off movement, live dribbles, and long outlets.&nbsp; Found teammates inside and dished it with flair.&nbsp; Defensively he was a monster putting pressure on the ball, staying in front of his man, and causing havoc.&nbsp; Plus rebounder for a guard as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2918205' first='Keiwon' last='Gulley'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Really liked what we saw from the Bloom guard over the weekend.&nbsp; Strong and compact lead guard that has major juice with the ball.&nbsp; Blows by his man in one on one situations and turns on the after burners in the open floor with tremendous speed.&nbsp; Plus athlete that can knock down pull up threes.&nbsp; The passing was impressive showing feel throwing lobs on the regular along with quick dishes on the move and long outlets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2922280' first='Jalonny' last='Billingsley'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Simeon athletic small forward was back at it again doing what he does best.&nbsp; Rocking the rim with thunderous dunks and showing off his quickness around the hoop and on the defensive end.&nbsp; Also showed continued improvement on his long ball making several threes in the two games we saw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3472215' first='Zahari' last='Threatt'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Threatt was one of the more impressive breakouts of the weekend.&nbsp; It was my first time seeing him in a while and he has grown.&nbsp; Long and lanky forward that was so insanely quick to the glass for put backs.&nbsp; Dominated on the offensive glass with his length and high-motor along with freakish second jump.&nbsp; Threw down more dunks on rim runs, cuts off the ball, lobs, and slams out of the dunker spot.&nbsp; If the skill comes along watch out!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2413941' first='Fitz' last='McDermott'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] EYCL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The St. Ignatius shooting guard is emerging as one of the better shot makers in the 2029 class.&nbsp; That was on display in a high level game against BBE.&nbsp; Wiry wing has a quick release on his shot knocking in four of them in the game after a slow start.&nbsp; Good athlete that mixes in scores on cuts and in transition.&nbsp; Solid passer with the ball in his hands and gets after it defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3576059' first='Emurion' last='Jackson'] (Brad Beal Elite)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson has a chance to be the next breakout player from the metro east.&nbsp; The East St. Louis shooting guard has good size and a great frame to add strength with long arms.&nbsp; Smooth ball handler that can create off the bounce for himself getting to the cup for acrobatic finishes along with finding others.&nbsp; His passing stood out including one where he double crossed and opponent then threw a dime.&nbsp; Dishes it well with either hand.&nbsp; Explosive ball handler that can finish with athleticism around the rim.&nbsp; Rebounds well in traffic.&nbsp; Flashed as a shooter with turnaround jumpers and hit a three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stephen Lindquist (M14 Gold)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Wheaton Academy shooting guard emerged on Friday night in the first game of the event.&nbsp; Plus shooter who got it going as the night went along carrying them for stretches with his three point shooting in the second half.&nbsp; Poured in five for the game.&nbsp; More than just a shooter he flashed some playmaking off live dribbles and played with a high motor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Will Kolkman (M14 Gold)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kolkman is a big bodied five from Marmion with outstanding hands inside.&nbsp; Really liked how he carved out space and presented space for his guards to find him out of the dunker spot for finishes inside.&nbsp; High percentage option around the hoop that consistently scored off passes from his guards and put backs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->