Premier Rising Sophomores Shine at The Tune Up Illinois

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em><br><br>At The Tune Up: Illinois our PHI staff was diving into prospects across all classes.&nbsp; Here I examine the best performances I saw in the 2029 class!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2767906' first='Ronald' last='Johnson'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] EYBL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson has made a strong case for the top spot in the debut 2029 rankings.&nbsp; What he brings with his positional size as a point guard at 6'3” who can really handle the ball, knocks in pull up jump shots, and gets to the rim in transition make him a potential high-major guard.&nbsp; Quality passer who makes great decisions.&nbsp; A major value in his game is how well he rebounds for a lead guard and is a monster on ball defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2915584' first='DK' last='Heard'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] EYBL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long and athletic small forward that plays with a high-motor.&nbsp; The Mt. Carmel wing is super effective with his energy on the offensive glass using his quickness and vertical explosiveness.&nbsp; Most effective in transition and working off the bounce from 18 feet in on quick moves to the rack.&nbsp; He is a tenacious defender that changes the game with his ability to lock down moving his feet, length, and anticipation.&nbsp; Quality shot blocker in the paint and on the perimeter.&nbsp; The swing skill is the jumper.&nbsp; He didn't hit them in the first two games, but did knock down several in the final game we saw him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2922280' first='Jalonny' last='Billingsley'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] EYBL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Billingsley played at a high level in the games we saw.&nbsp; Two sport star is a legit top 10 prospect in both football and basketball.&nbsp; Elite level athlete with size, strength, and out of this world athleticism.&nbsp; He displayed that flying all over the floor defensively blocking shots and covering ground on the defensive end.&nbsp; On the offensive side it was evident with massive dunks in transition, out of the dunker spot, and putting it on the deck.&nbsp; Better passer than given credit and shot it solid from mid-range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3472215' first='Zahari' last='Threatt'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] EYBL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Threatt is a power forward who is among the premier four men in the 2029 class.&nbsp; One of our scouts brought an interesting comp up at the same stage in his development which was Morez Johnson.&nbsp; Former Catholic League standout who has similar size, athleticism, length, and motor.&nbsp; High energy player who rebounds at a high level, finishes out of the dunker spot, can handle it from the mid-post in, and is an impactful defensive player.</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'] EYBL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bloom 2029 guard is a bowling ball guard who plays with great strength and speed!&nbsp; He has a tremendous burst with the rock in his hands flying down the floor, winning in the half court with his crisp handles, and is so quick off the dribble.&nbsp; Pushes in the open floor and passes with flair.&nbsp; Quality three point shooter that can knock in shots at a high level from the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2918202' first='Kaden' last='McClellan'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] EYBL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McClellan is a rangy point guard out of Bloom who is a pass first guard that loves to get others involved.&nbsp; Great feel as a passer that makes those around him better on his team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kingston Harris ([program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris is a power forward from Thornwood who has a lot of projection in his game.&nbsp; Like the long term upside here.&nbsp; Mobile four man that has solid size and a frame to build on.&nbsp; Plus athleticism and is explosive on the offensive glass.&nbsp; Under appreciated passer as a post prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2842256' first='Larry' last='Booth'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rich Township small forward who stretches the floor with his perimeter shooting.&nbsp; Best as a spot up shooter who excels with a clean release off the catch.&nbsp; Like what he brings on the defensive end being a switchable defender.&nbsp; Classic 3 and D player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leonard Thomas ([program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas is a lead guard that can really shoot the ball from the perimeter from his point guard spot.&nbsp; The Tinley Park point guard is a high IQ young player that has feel for the game.&nbsp; Plus three point shooter with deep range on his shot while mixing in soft touch finishes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Leo McKenzie ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] EYCL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKenzie continues to impress each time we see him.&nbsp; The Evanston power forward is a lefty four man who has great footwork and touch around the hoop.&nbsp; Soft hands and quick assertive moves for buckets in the paint.&nbsp; Like the efficiency he plays with on his touches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->