Great Lakes Region Finals: Frontcourt Prospects To Monitor

The Prep Hoops Circuit made a stop in the Prairieland for the second time in as many weekends. Teams from across the Midwest including Hawaii and Canada gathered to compete in the always competitive Great Lakes Region Finals. PHI got to see a bit of everything over the 3 full days worth event. I was in Bedford Park at the Wintrust Sports Complex taking in matchups from the 17U, 16U, and 15U divisions. It's noteworthy to include that around 200 total teams came and took their best shot at being one of the last ones standing in their respective brackets. In this article we will take you through some of the 4 and 5 men of the weekend that are worth keeping track of as their young careers progress.    Tough interior presence that brings physicality and effort around the basket. A plus size frame for age and utilizes it to advantage. Fought hard on the glass and came up with multiple offensive boards to gain extra possessions which turned into scores. Made a great cut to the block and then spin move off weakside shoulder for a bucket vs more size. Overall his motor and willingness to allow himself to make tough plays is what stood out.     A true big already at matured size for age. Has length that pops immediately. Got ahead of the defense once for a fast break 2 hand slam. His mobility isn't all the way there yet but it will come along as career progresses. Made a couple quick outlets off defensive rebounds to checkmark the instinct department. Still developing some feel but the upside is here for a big worth tracking over the next three years.     Mason has true and matured size already for age. Super long and lanky interior prospect that showed flashes of effectiveness around the rim. Active at times in the pnr game and drew a couple fouls going to the basket underneath. Early morning Sunday game showed a strong drop step and score and a hard off ball cut through the lane. Upside is here with plus length in young career.     Watched Kwapil play in team's last game of weekend. Heard he's a tough out on the grid iron and brings that same relentlessness hard working attitude to the hardwood. Scored it in a variety of ways including back door cuts, transition finishes, a fadeaway jumper, and multiple steals that turned into fast break buckets. His consistency to battle on both sides is what stood out the most along with his noticeable strength. A plus rebounder that comes with a highly energized motor. Provides attributes in multiple avenues to help team make winning plays by competing with discipline and layers of effort.       A long and mobile forward with strong interior instincts and activity around the basket. Consistently produced on the block with multiple turn and score finishes with soft touch off the glass in early morning Sunday quarters game. Makes hard cuts off the ball and stayed active on the glass with one rebound being for an o board over more size. Shows spurts of bounce with nearly throwing down a one handed yam on the baseline. Solid and hard working activity from the 4 man.     Okey has next up in the bigs department at Libertyville. A physical and somewhat broad interior anchor that uses frame around the basket. Had multiple turn around finishes off the block utilizing strength to advantage. Absorbs contact and drew multiple fouls to get to stripe. Has the willingness to dive on the floor and save possessions. On an effort level he certainly is willing to bring all that he has while remaining tough and keeping pace with an up tempo style squad.     Caught Ottoway in team's quarterfinal game on Sunday and he impressed with mobility at size. Showed touch off the block with a turn and baby hook finish while also powering through contact for an and1. Made a couple put back conversions off of o boards. Doesn't force shots and will make the proper reads for kickouts from inside out or from the short corner and dunker areas. Keeps up with pace and liked his overall feel for the game.

The Prep Hoops Circuit made a stop in the Prairieland for the second time in as many weekends. Teams from across the Midwest including Hawaii and Canada gathered to compete in the always competitive Great Lakes Region Finals. PHI got to see a bit of everything over the 3 full days worth event. I was in Bedford Park at the Wintrust Sports Complex taking in matchups from the 17U, 16U, and 15U divisions. It's noteworthy to include that around 200 total teams came and took their best shot at being one of the last ones standing in their respective brackets. In this article we will take you through some of the 4 and 5 men of the weekend that are worth keeping track of as their young careers progress.