Parham's Top 10 Posts at The EXPO

These were the 10 post prospects that impressed me most at The EXPO: Illinois!   [player_tooltip player_id='2390523' first='Evan' last='Okey'] | 2028 | Libertyville   Okey put together an assertive stretch during the closing minutes of camp, demonstrating high functional strength and exceptional poise down low. The 6-foot-7 physical post player played with tremendous discipline, completely staying within his role while constantly enforcing his will on the interior glass. Offensively, he flashed dynamic footwork in the low post, utilizing precise step-through counter moves to manipulate defenders and finish through contact. What set him apart was his perimeter face-up capability, where he comfortably put the ball on the deck to attack aggressive closeouts off the bounce. His combination of deliberate pace, rebounding instinct, and interior touch makes him an exceptionally reliable frontcourt anchor.   [player_tooltip player_id='2540205' first='John' last='Brown IV'] | 2028 | Homewood-Flossmoor   Brown IV was an absolute game-disrupter who swung momentum on a regular basis through elite two-way production. The 6-foot-7 forward played with infectious energy, wreaking havoc in the passing lanes and creating quick transition opportunities off his defensive instincts. On back-to-back possessions, he showcased his dynamic impact by altering a shot at the rim that led to a corner three on the other end, followed immediately by a steal that he punched down off the rim. His rim-running efficiency was on full display throughout the showcase, regularly filling the lane with hard vertical finishes and authoritative dunks. His relentless defensive range and explosive athletic toolkit give him game-changing upside.   [player_tooltip player_id='2384522' first='Elijah' last='Shim'] | 2028 | Kenwood   Shim proved to be a dominant vertical presence and high-level shot-alterer throughout the event, leveraging his massive length and agility at 6-foot-8. He operates with an exceptional second bounce and closing speed, allowing him to cover vast territory on defense and turn away attempts at the cup—highlighted by a staggering five-block performance in his opening contest. His perimeter defensive instincts were equally eye-opening, demonstrated by a rapid recovery out to the arc to cleanly reject a three-point attempt. On the offensive end, he played with high verticality, routinely converting interior dump-offs and offensive rebounds into emphatic two-handed dunks. As a rising prospect who continues to fill out his frame, he is quickly developing the skillset of a true statewide difference-maker.   [player_tooltip player_id='3686052' first='Peter' last='Chojniak'] | 2028 | Northridge Prep   Chojniak turned heads with his imposing physical presence, boasting a wide frame and approaching a legit 6-foot-11 stature. He used his sheer size effectively around the painted area, walling off drive attempts and controlling the defensive glass to create putback opportunities off offensive glass. While his primary value lies in his ability to take up space and clean up missed shots, he displayed soft touch on his jumper with the confidence to step out to the arc. When defenses left him unaccounted for on the perimeter, he proved he can pick-and-pop to knock down rhythm three-pointers. His elite combination of true center height and stretch capacity makes him an intriguing long-term developmental big.   [player_tooltip player_id='2822666' first='Derrick' last='Moore'] | 2028 | Lincoln Park   Moore proved to be an absolute physical handful in the low post, utilizing his strong 6-foot-6 frame to impose his power on every possession. He operates as a pure interior physical presence who consistently wins positional battles in the paint and carves out massive leverage on the block. When shots go up, he swarms the ball within his area, gobbling up high-volume rebounds and immediately securing second-chance opportunities. Beyond his strength down low, he displayed subtle skill refinement with the functional ability to handle the ball on short drives and clear out space with precise footwork. His combination of physical toughness, high-volume rebounding, and interior touch makes him a classic bully-ball big.   [player_tooltip player_id='2797229' first='Jaeden' last='Sanders'] | 2028 | Plainfield Central   Sanders made his mark by bringing non-stop hustle, elite connective intangibles, and physical toughness to the floor. Standing at 6-foot-6, he set the tone with his willingness to sacrifice his body, consistently diving for loose balls and making high-effort winning plays. He was particularly effective in screen-and-roll actions, executing crisp, physical screens to free up his ball-handlers and rolling hard to the rim. His soft hands and high-level catch radius allowed him to secure passes in traffic and instantly establish clear ball control under pressure. With his blend of high-level functional work ethic, size, and interior fundamentals, he serves as an invaluable glue guy who impacts winning without needing play calls drawn up for him.   [player_tooltip player_id='2821675' first='Jahari' last='Sanders'] | 2028 | Plainfield Central   Sanders put his high-level elite athleticism and fluid movement skills on full display, projecting as a long-term dynamic weapon at 6-foot-6. Armed with plus length and high-end bounce, he was a factor on the defensive end where his instincts and closing speed translated to multiple rim rejections. Offensively, he was highly effective as a volume screener and dive threat in half-court pick-and-roll settings, paired with a relentless motor on the offensive glass for second-chance putbacks. He effortlessly stretches the floor with his rim-running speed in transition, consistently sprinting the floor to put immediate pressure on opposing defenses. His combination of length, dynamic vertical pop, and multi-positional agility gives him immense high-ceiling potential.   [player_tooltip player_id='2929886' first='Thatcher' last='Lee'] | 2028 | Dunlap   Dunlap established himself as one of the most intriguing high-motor sleeper prospects in attendance, showcasing a highly versatile skill set for a 6-foot-8 post. He possesses impressive mobility and ground coverage for his size, routinely getting off the floor quickly to contest shots and anchor the interior defensively. Offensively, he functions as a modern stretch-big who can space the floor out to the perimeter while also acting as a high-IQ hub in passing actions. His athleticism shines in transition and secondary actions, where he consistently plays above the rim to finish off lob opportunities. With his blend of rim protection, court vision, and frontcourt fluidness, he projects as a high-upside interior weapon as his game continues to mature.   [player_tooltip player_id='2831749' first='Nathan' last='Freiheit'] | 2027 | Buffalo Grove   Freiheit presents an undeniable high-upside ceiling, bringing legit 7-foot height and exceptional perimeter skill to the center position. The lengthy big man showed noticeable improvements in his overall mobility and athletic fluidity, moving far more comfortably in spatial rotations than in previous evaluations. His offensive ceiling was best highlighted when he stepped out to the perimeter and effortlessly stroked a left-handed three-pointer, showcasing rare stretch capability for a player of his size. Defensively, his sheer reach serves as a natural deterrent in post-up situations, making it difficult for opposing bigs to finish over him. As he continues to build functional muscle on his lean frame, his unique modern profile makes him a very intriguing prospect for the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='2894590' first='Alijah' last='Johnson'] | 2028 | Link Prep   Johnson looks every bit the part of a versatile, modern frontcourt prospect, combining a solid 6-foot-8 physical frame with exceptional interior feel. He exhibited impressive footwork and touch in the paint, regularly breaking down opposing bigs with fluid Eurosteps and rapid counter moves near the basket. What makes his game so appealing is his emerging perimeter versatility, capped off by his ability to step out and comfortably sink corner three-pointers. By pairing power and footwork down low with a reliable outside stroke, he is rapidly developing into a dynamic multi-level scorer. His ability to blend traditional post skill with modern floor-spacing capabilities gives him huge long-term upside.

These were the 10 post prospects that impressed me most at The EXPO: Illinois!