Xposure Runs: Steve’s 2022 Standouts

<p>Mustafa Sulaiman has created a buzz around the state with his Xposure Runs. Each week he hosts invite only open runs for the 2023 and 2022 classes.  This week I was able to catch the 2022 group. Here are the players that stood out. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="996072" first="Jalen" last="Brown"]                        De La Salle   5’10 </strong></p> <p>Brown showed when his offense isn’t working he can make things happen on defense.  Jalen was sticking guys full court forcing players to either pass the ball or he stole it and got easier layups. Jalen had a few plays where he got to show off his mid-range game. Breathe of fresh air to see some guys who like to compete on defense in these open gym settings.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1048730" first="Jaydin" last="Dunlap"]         Bollingbrook       6’1</strong></p> <p>Dunlap was new to me. Solid guard who got it done from mid-range and out. Jaydin was hiding the first couple of games and decided to turn it up later in the session.  Dunlap beat defenders with a rhythm one dribble pull up shot that he made from several spots on the court. He fits in with the typical Bollingbrook guards. Solid player to monitor the next two years </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1049091" first="Ty" last="Butler"]       Downers Grove South      5’10</strong></p> <p>Butler was smooth looking guard who pushed the ball with a mission.  Looked for players in transition often. When he didn’t get a pass off he created shots for himself. Ty has a different looking form on his shot but he makes them and he does it with players in his face. Butler maybe had the best IQ of the guards on the gym. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="925178" first="Kyle" last="Thomas"]    St. Joseph’s      6"10 </strong></p> <p>Thomas has definitely added muscle to his frame. I honestly didn’t know it was him until games got underway.  Thomas is very athletic and runs the floor hard. He didn’t score immediately, but he grabbed boards at a high rate. Showed off some of his athleticism on one play with a nicely put pass off the backboard. Kyle also stepped out from three and made a pair of shots. Thomas is still raw when it comes to his feel for the game. Settings like the Xposure Runs will help him in the long term. Still a highly projected college recruit who is making strides in his game. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863597" first="Marcellius" last="Cohen"]      De La Salle             6’8</strong></p> <p>Marcellus does a good job turning rebounds from one end into great transition plays on the other.  Several times Cohen got the ball and made heady passes in the flow of pushing the ball like a guard. Cohen also showed he too has been getting shots up from the perimeter as he made some tough corner threes. During his last game he finished the day with two strong dunks. Nice showing for him. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="925221" first="Lonnel" last="Strickland"]  Fenger     6’4</strong></p> <p>Strickland was the surprise of the day. The long athletic wing started off a little nervous, but picked it up as he made a huge tip dunk over three guys and it got his engine going. Lonnell started going at Thomas jawing back and forth with him making some shots in his face. Strickland is an energy player who finds his way around the ball. Needs some work in the lab with ball handling, but he brings energy and effort on the both ends of the court. Lonnell should find a good minutes at Fenger this season. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>John Anthony     Bollingbrook       6’5</strong></p> <p>Wasn’t one of the best players in the gym this day but John showed a lot of promise. He didn’t finish most plays, but he definitely got everyone’s attention by stirring it up with trash talk and getting both sides to play hard. Anthony is very skilled as a wing. Can put it on the floor with ease and gets to his spots when attacking hard. John converted some layups and even connected on a dunk in the games. He has a lot of upside just needs to put it together. Want to check him out again. I think today was just a bad day. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1049092" first="Toby" last="Onyekonwu"]  Plainfield East   6’2</strong></p> <p>The dominant guard throughout the run was definitely Toby.  He started the very first game with a deep three and continued to put the pressure on defenders the rest of the runs. Onyekonwu is shifty with the ball and has a good change of pace laterally. His focus at the Xposure runs was definitely to score at all cost. He beat defenders at the rim with creative finishes. On defense he has quick hands and before guys knew it he stole the ball and converted into layups. Toby has a chance to be good. Should work on becoming a better passer when he gets attention as a scorer. He will be player colleges will soon check out. Onyekonwu was named MVP of the session. </p>