Great Lakes Finals: New Names Emerge

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Great Lakes Finals were in full swing over the weekend as we had our full Prep Hoops Illinois staff at the event!&nbsp; Here I examine some of the top prospects that I evaluated at Wintrust in <strong>Great Lakes Finals: New Names Emerge</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2426052' first='Cormac' last='Hanus'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hanus is a left handed wing from Benet who has a long and thin frame.&nbsp; Skilled passer that is a nice connective piece who should fit in well for the Redwings this season.&nbsp; Flashed as a spot up shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Graham Lis ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lis is a two guard out of Vernon Hills who displayed creativity off the bounce getting to the cup for scores.&nbsp; Shot fakes then driving past his man for scores.&nbsp; Slick passer, got out in transition, and was a capable spot up shot maker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaden Matthews-Thomas (88 West 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The West Aurora 6'3” shooting guard brings nice length on the perimeter as a utility player who can do a little bit of everything.&nbsp; Burst to the rim on slick euro steps, reverse layups, and utilizing his athleticism.&nbsp; Decent passer and has the tools to be a very good defender on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2736853' first='Casston' last='Cross'] (88 West 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cross is a two guard from East Aurora that burst on our radar showcasing his springy hops on several layups.&nbsp; Plus athlete with length that can post up a little and has pop off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Will Claussen (Pure Hoops 16U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Laurence 6'4” small forward with a rangy frame and some projection once he fills out.&nbsp; Solid spot up shooter who can deck it a little as well.&nbsp; Should be a nice complimentary piece for St. Laurence this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2919101' first='Ethan' last='Jones'] (Slam City 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones put his name on the map as a 6'7” center from Rockford Guilford who finished out of the dunker spot, spin moves for scores, and sealed on the block.&nbsp; Pounded the offensive glass and overall was a quality rebounder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3647489' first='Jay' last='Gilbertson'] (Slam City 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gilbertson had a nice showing on Saturday morning as the Hononegah 6'0” two guard is a plus three point shooter that poured in an array of them as he was flame throwing hitting one after another off the catch along with in the spot and pop game.&nbsp; Ball handling needs to improve to max out upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Darian Lopez ([program_tooltip program_id='2078448' first='Illinois' last='Wolves'] 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 6'0” 2029 guard from Rockford Guilford was solid throughout the event.&nbsp; Broad shouldered strong bodied guard with good length.&nbsp; Plays with physicality finishing in the paint and floaters.&nbsp; Got to the line as he pressed the issue and flashed as a shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2879827' first='Nolan' last='Kline'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078448' first='Illinois' last='Wolves'] 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kline is a 6'1” utility wing out of Sherrard who has been productive for the Wolves this spring.&nbsp; He is crafty around the hoop scoring including spins in the post.&nbsp; Quality spot up shooter who is a skilled passer.&nbsp; Plays with a high activity level on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayden Simon ([program_tooltip program_id='2078448' first='Illinois' last='Wolves'] 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simon is a long and rangy wing from Stevenson who got called up from their Academy team and showed flashes in limited minutes.&nbsp; Long and lanky wing that can defend and showed some skill with the ball in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Amari Brown (Zero Fears 16U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marist guard has got some hype this spring.&nbsp; We continued to see some glimpses with Zero Fears as the lead guard has a killer crossover including a double cross into a step back three that caught the eyes of everyone watching.&nbsp; Slick ball handler that has quickness off the dribble to the cup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->