Rumble Up North: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook
The PrepHoops Rumble Up North kicked off on Saturday in Minnesota. The event is loaded with national teams and D1 prospects including tons of Illinois teams. We dive into them here in Rumble Up North: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook! …
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Continue ReadingThe PrepHoops Rumble Up North kicked off on Saturday in Minnesota. The event is loaded with national teams and D1 prospects including tons of Illinois teams. We dive into them here in Rumble Up North: Scotty B’s Saturday Notebook!
Illinois T-Wolves 15U Fall to D1 Minnesota in Hard Fought Opener
The T-Wolves started their game off early looking like they were going to upset a loaded D1 Minnesota squad jumping out to an early lead. D1 Minnesota settled in behind the play of their point guard Taison Chatman who dished it to his array of shooters to push the lead to 36-21 at the half. They would win the game in the second half by a final of 59-49. For the Illinois T-Wolves there were several bright spots. Lincoln Way East 2023 power forward George Bellevue flashed his upside again. Bouncy four that gets on the offensive boards. Tylon Toliver also of Lincoln Way East is a stocky point guard that uses his strength getting downhill. We were really looking forward to seeing Bolingbrook 6’7” power forward Keon Alexander in this one. The lefty has added strength and brings solid athleticism on the frontline. Runs the floor well and high points rebounds in traffic. Recorded several and-1s or got fouled on quick post moves. Defensively he contests shots inside and on the perimeter. Remains a post to watch in the rising sophomore class!
TVE Continues Strong Summer in HIT 17U Defeat
We caught the second half of HIT 17U against Playmakers Showcase. HIT lost in their first game of the event. We continue to like the progression of Benet 2021 small forward Tyler Van Eekeren Tyler Van Eekeren 6'5" | SF Benet | 2021 State IL . The wing is putting it on the deck with much more consistency especially blowing by his defender on straight line takes. Gets to the foul line and is overall much more efficient than earlier in his career. Drilled a crisp mid-range pull up. Like the progression he has made since the end of his junior campaign.
Young & Reckless 17U Balance Impresses
In their first game Young & Reckless 17U took home the win over JH1 Elite. It was a balanced attack for this team loaded with D1 and D2 prospects. Hillcrest 6’7” forward Julius Rollins displayed his versatility on both ends of the floor. He put it on the deck multiple times from the high-post. Flipped his defense into offense with steals going for dunks. Also knocked down several mid-range pull ups. His high school teammate 6’7” forward Jakobi Heady was outstanding again. The long and lanky combo forward drained corner threes, ran the floor for transition buckets, and won off the dribble with his long strides. Top uncommitted 2021 small forward John Poulakidas of Neuqua Valley bombed in a pair of threes early on. He was crafty off the bounce including a sweet baseline take where he hit a short pull up. Also was effective driving and kicking to shooters. Hammond (IN) 6’8” five man Darrell Reed is a for sure D1 prospect with his strength, broad shoulders, and how high of a level he rebounds at. Got deep post position for a couple scores and was a rim protector. Even hit a three from the top of the key.
Young & Reckless 16U Puts on Clinic in Win
This was our first look at the Y&R 16U this summer. We had heard a lot of buzz about Lyons 2022 5’11” point guard Tavari Johnson. The lead guard is a slick ball handler that won off the dribble consistently. Had a couple of smooth bursts where he split the defense for layups. Also was very good drawing defenders and kicking to open shooters. Good overall feel for the game. The recipient of several of Johnson’s passes was Fenwick 6’5” small forward Gabe Madej Gabe Madej 6'5" | SF Fenwick | 2022 State IL . He is a lights out catch and shoot three point threat that drilled an array of them in this one along with showcasing some toughness inside. TF South forward Xavier Lewis Xavier Lewis 6'7" | PF Tf South | 2022 State IL has so much long term projectability. He works well in the pick/roll as a finisher. Also can take it from the high-post as he showed with a monster left handed slam. Plays above the rim with his plus athleticism. Larkin 2022 point guard Damari Wheeler-Thomas Damari Wheeler-Thomas 6'0" | PG Larkin | 2022 State IL hit a pull up three and got to the cup for an acrobatic layup. Kenwood duo Malaun Grayer and Vijay Wallace are a pair of upside prospects with their best basketball ahead of them. Malik Jenkins from Hyde Park is a strong bodied two guard that gets to the line.
QC Ballers 2022 Opens Eyes Playing Up
We came away intrigued with the play of Mt. Pleasant 5’11” point guard Sam Jerrell. The 2022 prospect is playing up an age level for the QC Ballers 17U and more than held his own. Smooth point guard with long arms playing bigger than his height. Silky smooth jump shooter that drilled a pair from three and also can connect pulling up from mid-range. Lead guard to monitor his progress!
Chicago Magic 2021 Post Flashes Upside
Post players take time to develop and are often late bloomers. One to track is Morgan Park 6’7” center Jediah Jones. The long and lanky five man who is running with Chicago Magic 17U has projectability, can be a rim protector, and is a decent area rebounder. He is raw right now, but has potential to develop into a solid post prospect.
Illinois Hoopstars 17U Clicking on All Cylinders
After a couple weeks without their full group the Illinois Hoopstars National 17U team was rolling vs D1 MN Prospects. Recent Loyola commit TY Johnson was dominant in the first half. He opened up with a pair of feathery threes and then did whatever he wanted in the open floor going coast to coast and playing above the rim. Also made several crisp dishes off his silky smooth handles. Finished with 20 points. Springfield Southeast shooting guard James Dent continues to fly under the radar of D1 schools. The top 20 2021 recruit is a high level shot maker from three that can play with the ball in his hands off the bounce and in the open floor. Also had a sweet dump off pass after drawing the defense. He had 16 points in the win. The recipient of that dish was Springfield Lanphier center KJ Debrick KJ Debrick 6'7" | C Springfield Lanphier | 2021 State IL . The big fella is a physically imposing five man that finishes in traffic. Snatches rebounds in his area at a high rate and is a shot blocking presence. Debrick went for 14 points.
HIT 16U Rolls to Win in Afternoon
Hoops Intensity Training 16U looked impressive in their afternoon victory. We caught the second half of their 69-46 win over Wisconsin Blizzard. We continue to like the progress we are seeing out of Oswego East 2022 shooting guard Patrick Robinson. The strong bodied 6’5” wing has great positional size, strength, and athleticism. Plays physical when attacking downhill and has crisp handles to create off the dribble. Taft 6’5” power forward Joseph Rodriguez also shined. The thick four man has excellent footwork and mobility in the paint using a spin move for a score and can go through his man as well.
Ismail Habibb Ismail Habibb 5'11" | PG Lincoln Park | 2021 MD Shows Out for Illinois Future
Point guard Ismail Habibb Ismail Habibb 5'11" | PG Lincoln Park | 2021 MD put on a shooting clinic in the first half. He drilled pull ups from mid-range all over the floor and stretched it out to three point territory as well. Quick and shifty lead guard that has crisp handles and a burst with the rock in his hands. He can break down a defense in so many different ways. Orr 2021 power forward Tyrese Shannon is a prospect with helium heading into his senior season. So much upside with the long and lanky forward. The thin four man snatches rebounds in traffic, throws strong outlets, and runs the floor well. A lot of untapped potential here both physically and skill wise.
HIT 17U Looks Dominant in Afternoon Win
Great outing in the afternoon for HIT 17U. Their passing was on point as was their shot making when we caught them in the second half. It really started with the interior passing of Roanoke Benson 2021 center Luke Braman Luke Braman 6'8" | C Roanoke-Benson | 2021 FL . The five man hit a shooter for a three on his side, one in the opposite corner, and a cutter through the lane. The forwards that were the recipients of those passes were Naperville North power forward Grant Johnson and Odin Lium Odin Lium 6'5" | SF Oswego East | 2021 State IL . Johnson drilled back to back triples while Lium hit a triple and had a layup cutting through the lane. They won 80-42 over Evolution Basketball.
R.I.S.E. 16U Shows Out in PHC Debut
This R.I.S.E. team was one of the teams I was most looking forward to seeing this weekend. They are comprised of all De La Salle and St. Ignatius prospects including a ton of the best Chicago Catholic League players in 2022. They won by an 82-57 margin over Phenom. Let’s start with the De La Salle prospects. Inside the Meteors are going to be tough to stop over the next few years with a trio of rising junior big men. Two of which already have D1 offers. Jamil Wilson is the thin built one of the three. He runs the floor with ease and was a pogo stick getting on the glass for second chance points. Quick moves inside and was so bouncy to the offensive boards. Marcellius Cohen is a 6’9” five man that brings strength and mobility inside. High pointed rebounds all game long and finished well. Rim ran in transition and was extremely active. A new name is 6’6” power forward Caleb Jenkins. The thick bodied post plays physical around the hoop. Love what Dajuan Bates brings to the table at the point with his in your face defense and speed in transition. Jalen Brown is a shot maker that drilled a smooth pull up jumper.
The St. Ignatius prospects were led by 2022 6’5” power forward Kolby Gilles. He ran the floor hard and used power inside to score. Had a nice spin move and is so powerful. In the backcourt Miles Casey is a crafty lefty that looks ahead and always looks to make the pass ahead to teammates for scores. Also got loose a couple of times for layups. AJ Redd AJ Redd 6'3" | SG St. Ignatius | 2022 State IL is a slender shooting guard who has projectability as a defender and shooter. He is complimented on the perimeter by the only 2023 on the squad Richard Barron Richard Barron 6'5" | SF St. Ignatius | 2023 State IL . Thicker bodied wing that can play inside and out along with making plays running the floor.
Young & Reckless 16U Shows Out…….Again
For the second time Young & Reckless 16U blew out their opponent. This time it was Gain Elite as they won 68-45. Early on it was the Xavier Lewis show! The 2022 power forward looked every bit of the D1 prospect that he is. Such long arms and legs. He caught an alley-oop, scored in the open floor, put in a hook shot, and used his length on the defensive end both laterally as well as vertically. Finished with 10 points. Larkin 2022 point guard Damari Wheeler-Thomas Damari Wheeler-Thomas 6'0" | PG Larkin | 2022 State IL continued the two way impact with his defense picking the pocket of several opposing guards. Really like his change of direction, crisp handles, and speed. Showed an all-around floor game recording 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Hyde Park small forward Malik Jenkins had some moments in the second half. He is a stronger bodied wing that presents some creativity with the rock in his hands including throwing a behind the back pass. He went for 12 points and 7 rebounds. Kenwood guard Vijay Wallace is a new name that emerged today. The lengthy 6’1” guard had a give and go layup, drilled a corner three, and used his length defensively on the perimeter. Once again Lyons 2022 point guard Tavari Johnson did an excellent job of running the show using his slick handles and high basketball IQ to get everyone involved putting them in situations to succeed. He had 8 points and 9 dimes. Gabe Madej Gabe Madej 6'5" | SF Fenwick | 2022 State IL of Fenwick continues to be the unsung guy on whatever team he runs with. All this strong bodied combo forward does is produce shooting from three, getting tough points inside, and rebounding. He went for 17 points and 7 rebounds.
Young & Reckless 17U falls to Team Speights
Early on it was the Dean Gabrelcik show from deep. The 6’4” wing from Florida drilled three after three. Team Speights held the lead most of the game to win by a final of 58-47 over Young and Reckless. For Y&R they struggled shooting it throughout the game. Early on Hillcrest 6’6” forward Julius Rollins played well using his long strides getting to the cup off the bounce for acrobatic layups and made trips to the charity stripe. Finished with 10 points and 5 boards. His high school teammate Jakobi Heady was quick to the offensive glass and scored in the open floor. Hyde Park point guard Jalen Houston Jalen Houston 6'0" | PG Hyde Park | 2021 NC got to the foul line at a high rate in this one. Went for 11 points.
Versatile Big Men Shine in Wisconsin Playground and Illinois Hoopstars Willis
In the last set of games on Saturday night we caught Wisconsin Playground and Illinois Hoopstars Willis in the first half. For Wisconsin Playground Club a prospect that has gained a lot of offers over the last few months has been James Graham. The 6’8” combo forward brings versatility on both ends. Hit a couple of contested threes including a sick step back from the corner. Like what he brought on the defensive end as well guarding inside and out. For the Hoopstars it was Western Michigan football commit Corey Walker Corey Walker 6'7" | C Normal West | 2021 State IL who had a big first half. He took it from the mid-post several times with quick dribbles for scores including a poster dunk! Wide bodied and undersized five moves well for his size. If he chose hoops he would be a D2 prospect no doubt! Wisconsin Playground won 68-54.