Friday Evening Fireworks at The Tune Up: Illinois

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><em>***Use 4th of July Code “Fourth50” for 50% off your subscription. Code Only Good Through Weekend***</em></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Tune Up kicked off with a high-powered Friday afternoon slate, showcasing some of the premier incoming high school talent from across the Midwest. With a heavy concentration of elite prospects in the 2028 and 2029 classes, several players put together dominant performances to open the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the standout performers who caught our eye during Friday's afternoon action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Standouts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marqwan Morgan | 5'11" Guard | [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] 2028 (IA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Widely regarded as the top player in Iowa for his class, Morgan missed the opening day of action but wasted zero time making his presence felt on day two. The elite-level guard completely dictates the tempo of the game with a blend of blazing end-to-end quickness and advanced basketball savvy. He possesses a slick handle that allows him to navigate heavy traffic effortlessly off the bounce. Morgan proved he is a legitimate three-level scoring threat, capping off a spectacular 22-point performance to lead the Fire past Royalty Hoops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2390523' first='Evan' last='Okey'] Post | ALL IN 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Okey is a highly skilled, 6-foot-6 left-handed frontcourt prospect who brings a unique blend of touch, ball-handling, and floor-running ability. He operates as a true back-to-the-basket post player, showcasing advanced footwork and incredibly soft hands around the rim. Okey plays entirely at his own pace, never letting defenders speed him up, and can comfortably finish over either shoulder. He put together one of his best outings of the season against the D1 Jets, anchoring the interior and leading the way with 15 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2382234' first='Deangelo' last='Coates'] 6'5" Forward | Work Until Basketball 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coates is an explosive, high-academic tier two-sport athlete (Basketball/Football) who acts as the ultimate energy injector for Work Until. At 6-foot-5, he plays with a relentless motor and crashes the glass with absolute authority on both ends. If defenders sleep on his verticality, he is a constant threat to put someone on a poster when they least expect it. Coates moves exceptionally well laterally, handles the ball well in tight spaces, and has great hands around the basket. He poured in 19 points in a hard-fought victory over Illinois Gametime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2029 Class Standouts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2922280' first='Jalonny' last='Billingsley'] | 6'6" Forward | [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] 2029</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Billingsley is the absolute energizer and emotional heartbeat of this [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] squad. A bouncy, 6-foot-6 forward, he excels in the open floor where he gets out on the break and finishes high above the rim. His ability to anchor the defense as a shot-blocker, secure the rebound, and instantly push the ball himself is elite for his age. What stands out most is his spatial awareness; he routinely gives the ball up early on the break only to run the floor and catch momentum-changing lobs. Like Coates, Billingsley is a premier two-sport athlete and projects as one of the top wide receiver prospects in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2782181' first='Malachi' last='Bell'] | Guard | [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] EYCL 2029</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The younger brother of [player_tooltip player_id='2532321' first='Elijah' last='Bell'], Malachi plays a very similar, physically imposing brand of basketball. He is a powerful downhill attacker who drives a wedge into the defense, scoring with brute force yet maintaining soft touch when he gets near the basket. Beyond his scoring, Bell is a highly dependable primary ball-handler against pressure and isn't afraid to stick his nose in the fan to help out on the glass from the guard position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Notable Contributors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the players above stole the headlines, several other prospects put together winning sequences on Friday afternoon and warrant a close watch moving into the weekend</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>J'Cobi Mathis ([program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] 2028) (WI)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Provided quick guard play and perimeter depth with scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aiah Baldwin (ALL IN 2028) (WI)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brought toughness and smart and versatility as a four man.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3685652' first='Andre' last='Harris'] (Blue Print 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Showed flashes of dynamic scoring upside, physical in the lane.</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'] 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brought great energy from the lead guard spot, the ultimate set up man.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->