New Names Pop Up at Romeoville Live-Event

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article we recap the list of new players we covered at the Romeoville Pre-Live event.&nbsp; These players are names we should track going forward in the state of Illinois.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3676531' first='Tommy' last='Hayes'] | North Lawndale | 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By pure chance, I was able to catch Hayes, as his team was a late fill-in for Saturday's event. Against Fenwick, he started a bit slowly before heating up, knocking down a couple of threes and finishing in the lane with floaters. Hayes has a strong handle that he can rely on when possessions break down. His in-and-out moves freeze defenders, allowing him to glide to the basket with ease. He erupted for 40 points, becoming just the second player to reach that mark during the event. Hayes is definitely a name to monitor heading into his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tristian Garner | Southland | 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Garner is a slender 6-foot-1 guard who looked extremely comfortable operating off screens. He repeatedly buried perimeter shots, connecting on eight three-pointers during his outing. He also mixed in finishes at the rim and mid-range pull-ups to showcase a complete offensive package. His 44-point performance was the highest scoring output of the weekend. Garner has a chance to open plenty of eyes across the state while putting his small-school program on the map.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2349619' first='Brady' last='Harris'] | Francis Parker | 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the kids say these days, Harris is simply "a bucket." The 5-foot-11 guard is a true three-level scorer who impacts the game beyond putting points on the board. He's an excellent shooter both off the bounce and within offensive sets. When defenders crowd him on the perimeter, he attacks downhill with strength and speed, often finishing through contact. An underrated aspect of his game is his passing ability, especially while on the move. Harris also rebounds exceptionally well for his size and isn't afraid to battle in traffic. Expect high-academic programs to take a serious interest in this talented guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jakobe Wren | King | 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6-foot-4, Wren is an athletic, high-energy forward who embodies the "junkyard dog" mentality. Alongside his brother Jacob, he anchors the back line of the Jaguars' defense. Wren is a relentless worker who rarely takes a play off. He made his biggest impact with his rebounding and rim protection throughout the event. Offensively, he's most effective as a cutter and in pick-and-roll situations. He has reliable hands and finishes well around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Peter Chojniak | Northridge | 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A true 6-foot-11 back-to-the-basket post player is becoming a rarity in today's game. Chojniak plays with solid fundamentals and keeps things simple around the basket. He doesn't overcomplicate touches, typically relying on jump hooks and drop-step finishes with either hand. He is also capable of stepping out and knocking down a soft jumper from 15 feet. Defensively, he alters shots with his length and rebounds effectively within his area. Chojniak could become an early recruiting target for smaller college programs that get involved sooner rather than later.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sharvez Scott | Phillips | 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott is a high-motor wing who seems to be everywhere on the floor. He flashed three-level scoring ability while consistently making winning plays. His activity level stands out, as he's always moving without the ball and finding himself around the action. Scott's energy and motor constantly put him in the right positions to impact the game on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dereon Smothers | Butler Prep | 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smothers is a 6-foot-5 lead guard who plays with tremendous smoothness and versatility. He can shoot, drive, and facilitate at a high level. His size allows him to see over smaller defenders and create advantages for himself and teammates. Around the basket, he is crafty and capable of finishing with either hand. Smothers also rebounds well and can immediately push the break in transition. His versatility at the guard spot makes him an extremely difficult matchup for opposing defenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->