Freshman Showcase Final Takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em><br><br>As we close out our look at the Prep Hoops Illinois Freshman EXPO I wanted to look at the major takeaways from the event!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Big Men Could Be Major Factor Again</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Remember back in the day when big men ruled the state?&nbsp; Could that be coming back in some form?&nbsp; Rantoul 6'10” center [player_tooltip player_id='2827885' first='Isaiah' last='Stewart'] and Rockford Guilford 6'7” power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2897245' first='Mamadou' last='Baker'] appear to be the headliners of a post group that could be special.&nbsp; Stewart and Baker along with the next post have the two-way ability you look for early in the process.&nbsp; As we all know it takes time for posts to flourish, but there is a lot of promise with this group.&nbsp; Bloom's [player_tooltip player_id='3687315' first='Tre' last='Johnson'] has top of the class type ability as a skilled and athletic face up four who can shoot, protect the rim, and finish around the hoop with fluidity.&nbsp; Benet's David Pauliukonis screams long term upside with his size, shooting touch, and defensive instincts.&nbsp; If Rich Township 6'4” four man [player_tooltip player_id='2966991' first='Kamarion' last='Sandifer'] grows he is going to be a monster with his athleticism and motor.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2393299' first='Duain' last='Johnson'] from Yorkville Christian brings a physical presence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Guards Dazzle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a ton of quality guards at the camp.&nbsp; Marist's [player_tooltip player_id='2906394' first='DJ' last='Moore'] has star written all over him!&nbsp; Long and lanky guard that plays with swagger being able to get whatever he wants whenever he wants it on the offensive end.&nbsp; Kenwood's Elijah McKinnie was electric with the rock using his speed and athleticism to score at will.&nbsp; Class of 2031 guard [player_tooltip player_id='3724798' first='Davon' last='Steen'] is a future star with his playmaking instincts along with his basketball IQ scoring, passing, and defending.&nbsp; Dyett's [player_tooltip player_id='2385688' first='Stan' last='Strong Jr'] popped in my first look at him as the 5'9” guard was electric with the rock in his hands as an incredible finisher through traffic.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='3687261' first='DaKarai' last='Simmons'] is a physical guard that plays downhill through contact for scores in the paint and could be the next star guard at St. Laurence.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2344767' first='Tobi' last='Farley'] from Mt. Carmel is a high IQ lead guard that makes sound decisions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Smith vs Neal Clash</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marist shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='3702374' first='Robert' last='Smith Jr'] and De La Salle wing [player_tooltip player_id='2838049' first='Evan' last='Neal'] put on a classic back and forth scoring display in one of the games we saw.&nbsp; Smith is one of the top prospects in the class.&nbsp; Pushing near 6'4” the long armed shooting guard is super skilled being able to handle, shoot, and score from just about anywhere on the floor.&nbsp; He did just that at the Freshman Camp.&nbsp; Neal didn't back down as the Meteors future star was crafty with his handles off the bounce.&nbsp; Super deep three point range with a free and easy release from beyond the arc.&nbsp; This is going to be a fun battle in the Chicago Catholic League hopefully for the next four years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Yorkville Christian Next Dynamic Duo</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of changes over at Yorkville Christian, but they have a pair of impact day one freshman in post [player_tooltip player_id='2393299' first='Duain' last='Johnson'] and wing [player_tooltip player_id='3575840' first='Jaxon' last='Purvis'].&nbsp; Johnson is a broad shouldered big man that impacts on both ends rebounding and scoring.&nbsp; Purvis has skill and athleticism at 6'4” with his pop getting downhill for scores along with a clean looking jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Benet Incoming Freshman Depth</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The school that kept coming up most throughout the day was Benet.&nbsp; Every time I looked down it was another incoming Benet player.&nbsp; Their prized prospect is wing [player_tooltip player_id='2948495' first='James' last='Rydberg'].&nbsp; At 6'5” he was easily one of the top players at the camp.&nbsp; Was able to score efficiently from all three levels slashing with explosiveness and having deep range on his shot.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2369920' first='Luke' last='Beran'] played well off him as the future Redwing teammates were on the same team at the camp.&nbsp; Beran is a tough utility wing.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2781156' first='Jon' last='Romano'] is an active rebounder that can also defend.&nbsp; Two guard [player_tooltip player_id='2966363' first='Grayson' last='Johnson'] attacked the defense when they were on their heels with drives.&nbsp; Love the long term upside of 6'7” David Pauliukonis.&nbsp; His brother looked similar at same age and ended up a D1 player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>All-Breakout Team</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2333959' first='Christian' last='Fuller'] (Richwoods)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3731213' first='Terryn' last='Bloom'] (Minooka)<br>Kellen Jones (Pekin)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3542961' first='Sam' last='Hardman'] (Downers Grove North)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3596253' first='Lamont' last='Matthews Jr']. (Intrinsic Downtown)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2401918' first='Jeremiah' last='Perkins'] (Althoff)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3730757' first='Kayden' last='Grier'] (West Aurora)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->