Tune Up Illinois: Small College Gems in 2027 Who Impressed

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em><br><br>What prospects at the small college level made an impression on us in the 2027 class at The Tune Up Illinois?&nbsp; Here is a group of quality D3 and NAIA prospects that should get looks at those levels!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2963278' first='Messiah' last='Horton'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richards combo guard is primed for a nice season.&nbsp; What you have to like about this guard is his ability to gets to his spots and knock down shots.&nbsp; Did it from three and two in the game we saw early in the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125684' first='Tej' last='Johnson'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] Reyes)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nice couple of weeks for Johnson as the Lake Forest Academy combo guard has shown he can effectively play both on and off the ball.&nbsp; Creative finisher in the lane with slick euro steps, spin moves, and acrobatic layups.&nbsp; Connective passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2915369' first='Noah' last='Cook'] (All-In Athletics Denard)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cook is a player that could elevate into D2 territory with a big senior year.&nbsp; He has the projectable frame and athleticism which make him intriguing as a combo forward with length.&nbsp; Quick to the offensive glass, runs the floor hard, and flashes as a shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2255121' first='David' last='Showman'] (All-In Athletics Denard)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wheaton Warrenville South wing is a hard nosed wing that brings toughness, defense, and lights out shooting as he is a lethal spot up shot maker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2831286' first='Nathan' last='Ottaway'] (All-In Athletics Drobnik)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McHenry face up four is a skilled power forward who can stretch with his perimeter shooting while doing a nice job running the floor hard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2403595' first='Eli' last='Leyva'] (All-In Athletics Drobnik)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hersey combo guard went to work with crafty finishes in the paint one after another.&nbsp; He was effective on spin moves and had an array of soft touch finishes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nick Konchan ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] McCormick)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big outing from Konchan who has a long and wiry frame as a combo forward.&nbsp; Flies in for rebounds on both ends, wins on the baseline with drives, sweeping slashes from the wings, and played with a high-motor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Danny Spychala ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] McCormick)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crystal Lake Central 6'6” power forward is a lefty with quality length.&nbsp; Impressed with his floor stretching showcasing a clean left handed release from three point range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2123656' first='Quinn' last='Zinzer'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] McCormick)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prospect point guard is a slick passer who can run the show with his instincts and feel for the game.&nbsp; Mixes in scores with a baseline jumper and a sweeping layup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2387442' first='Wes' last='Shelby'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2622592' first='Flight' last='Athletics'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shelby is a 6'6” power forward from Lincoln Way East who had a strong showing making an impact as an area rebounder snatching them in traffic and getting on the offensive glass for put backs.&nbsp; Showed some athletic pop throwing down a monster dunk along with hitting a corner three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2814861' first='Corey' last='Wellere Jr'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] EYCL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scoring combo guard from King took a little while to get going, but once he did it was on!&nbsp; The lefty is a creative ball handler that gets in the lane for floaters, reverse layups, and other acrobatic conversions at the cup.&nbsp; Also got to the foul line winning on straight line takes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2416198' first='TJ' last='Eaton'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] EYCL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eaton is going to be a big part of the Rich Township squad this year.&nbsp; Versatile guard that can play one through three when needed.&nbsp; Quality defender on the perimeter.&nbsp; Spinning layups, soft touch finishes, and acrobatic buckets in the paint.&nbsp; Capable spot up shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daniel Ruffin ([program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ruffin brings it game in and game out.&nbsp; Built like a running back that plays like one!&nbsp; He hits the hole hard and gets to the cup on slashes along with bursting past defenders in transition.&nbsp; Like the body control at the cup, rebounding for a guard, and defense here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->