More Underclassmen Watchlist Prospects From The Tune Up Illinois

PHI was in attendance for the Prep Hoops Circuit event in the Chicago land area over the weekend. The Tune Up Illinois edition took place over two days with around a couple dozen teams taking to the court in each age division. I was in Romeville checking out mostly guys in the classes of 2027 and 2028 as circuit teams from the EYCL and 3SSB were in attendance. Throughout the two days I did however sprinkle in some games from the lower divisions of 2029s, 2030s, and 2031s. Here we will analyze some more underclassmen players in those groups who had great showings during their weekend play.    I watched Blue Print Hoops 2029s compete in the early afternoon game on Saturday and Chalmers stood out as an impactful hard working combo guard that effects on both ends of the floor. Defensively he provides toughness and effort while rebounding from the guard spot and then pushing for tempo during the break phase. His lateral quick foot movement provides ability to present a strong on ball presence. Offensively he will show more of that same grit and hard nosed attitude to slash in the paint and help speed the game up. His hustle and competitiveness helps provide winning plays.     Blanco slides into a primary point guard role for the [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] 15's EYCL squad. His handling ability is adequate in multiple facets of the game. He consistently puts downhill pressure on defenses and was able to finish through contact multiple times in the afternoon game on Friday vs another talented team. During the majority of the first half he was the main offensive threat during the first 16 minutes of play. He converted on a couple and1 finishes while also scoring at the basket in fast break situations. Passing wise he had a great give and go assist to his teammate and continued to push the ball in the break phase. Blanco helps contribute consistent up tempo early offense while seeing the floor with solid court vision.     Irvin brings plus bounce at the rim with matured sized height. His coordination is already affective with a solid feel all around. I caught PAC's 15U squad play in the third place game Saturday morning and he almost threw one down on a breakaway going full speed with one hand. Is certainly capable of doing so. It was a challenge for the defense to keep him out of the paint on the glass as well as on dribble drive action to the hole. He converted at a solid rate in traffic utilizing his wingspan to his advantage while also letting the game come to him in a poised and settled fasion. Irvin is a 2030 combo guard with true size, skill, and upside to track coming into high school.     I caught the 14U PAC Elite team play in their third place matchup Friday morning. Mason possesses matured size and wingspan for his age. He impacted the game with his ability to create off the dribble and stretch the floor. What was most intriguing was his skill to shoot from 3 already from his positional size. He created a challenge at the rim as well due to his length and anticipation. On the defensive side of things Mason was able to jump passing lanes and provide rim protection. The upside will be interesting to track here for the soon to be freshman.     I had the opportunity to watch the PAC Elite 2030's play in their third place game on Friday morning. O'Neil is a 2031 who was playing up an age division for good reason. He spaced away accordingly on dribble drive action for spot up 3's and hit them at a high percentage. I tallied him for 4 3's alone in the game and all within good offensive flow for solid shot selection. O'Neil works cohesively well alongside another impactful big and guard and the three together scored the majority of the points in route to a solid margin victory.     I caught Wienen play a few months back with his Team Compete squad up in Wisconsin. The 6'2 combo guard continued to be a tough out in multiple facets over the weekend at The Tune Up. He impacts with a relentless motor to push the tempo off of defensive rebounds, consistently getting north/south hitting angles quickly, and providing opportunities for others off penetration drives. Wienen works well in the primary break phase which was highlighted by multiple coast to coast finishes, a breakaway and1, and a give and go finish. In the ½ court setting he is comfortable spotting up from three or catching and facing then making a move. A hard competitor on the glass as well, he will endure physicality and meet the challenge vs bigger bodies in the paint. On the defensive side of things he jumps passing lanes and will fight over screens. His body language shows that he won't back down while his combination of toughness and ability to impact both sides of the ball makes for one of the more intriguing guards to track in the class of 2029 out of Illinois.

PHI was in attendance for the Prep Hoops Circuit event in the Chicago land area over the weekend. The Tune Up Illinois edition took place over two days with around a couple dozen teams taking to the court in each age division. I was in Romeville checking out mostly guys in the classes of 2027 and 2028 as circuit teams from the EYCL and 3SSB were in attendance. Throughout the two days I did however sprinkle in some games from the lower divisions of 2029s, 2030s, and 2031s. Here we will analyze some more underclassmen players in those groups who had great showings during their weekend play.