Run N Slam: Top Illinois 17U Performers

The Bill Hensley Run n Slam event brought out the some of the best travel teams in the Midwest. For the state of Illinois it was a chance to see the best shoe circuit and independent teams all in the same event. Here were the Illinois standouts and contributors for this weekend’s 17U division.   [player_tooltip player_id="939055" first="Cameron" last="Christie"] (Illinois Wolves) Cam is a smooth scorer that gets his shot off from anywhere on the court. This past weekend with teams throwing their best defender on him Christie never seemed sped up. He has a tight handle that he uses to create space when teams try to jam him up. He looks comfortable in ball screens situations hitting the roll guys if he wasn’t able to get his patent pull up shot.   [player_tooltip player_id="1215298" first="Mark" last="Nikolich-Wilson"] (Full Package) Maybe the breakout performer of the weekend. Mark controlled the paint with ease. He is so skilled playing in the post with his footwork. His best this weekend was his shot making from three. In two very intense in-state bragging rights games Mark made several threes when they mattered most. His stock is trending up and I’m not out of the spectrum to say some low D1 or Ivy schools should check him out.   [player_tooltip player_id="1215287" first="Jake" last="Fiegen"] (Full Package) I think most know that Jake is one of the best shooters in the state had a huge Friday night from deep hitting six threes in a win over Indy Heat. On Sunday against the Wolves Jake was seen driving to the rim and even playing in the post at times. Fiegen was forced off the three and he figured out how to still be effective. On the defensive side he went and blocked a shot attempt that also surprised me.   [player_tooltip player_id="989263" first="Asa" last="Thomas"] (Illinois Wolves) Thomas made the shots when his teams needed them the most. Asa is a scoring wing that makes things look easy when on the court. He makes it so hard to guard him because his high release point on his shot at 6’7 plus he can make deep threes. Thomas is making himself a prospect for the blue blood recruitment.   [player_tooltip player_id="1154526" first="Mantas" last="Zilys"] (Y&R) Mantas is the ultimate glue guy on the court. He did all of the things that was required for a Y&R to get a win. Zilys had success making shots from all three levels. He made many hustle plays and was terrific on the ball playing defense. Mantas is an energy guy who seemed to be always near 50/50 balls. D2 and small schools should recruit him.   [player_tooltip player_id="1215311" first="Nikola" last="Abusara"] (Full Package) Nikola is an athletic slasher who impressed many coaches this weekend. At 6’4 Abusara has a long wingspan and is explosive when he turns the corner on guys. Many times this weekend Nikola got downhill and scores at the rim. This was maybe the most aggressive I’ve seen him play. Abusara also did well playing off the ball in a catch and shoot situation.   [player_tooltip player_id="989267" first="Jake" last="Hamilton"] (Illinois Wolves) Hamilton was superb in his role as the third scorer for the Wolves as a guard who does well at spacing for catch and shoot opportunities. Jake is also a willingly rebounder who crashes the boards and is athletic enough to get out and make slashing plays in transition. He showed well in guarding the opposing teams ball handler and causing disruption. Many D2s were interested in Jake after this weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id="1056106" first="Alex" last="Engro"] (Breakaway) Engro is an excellent playmaker who played with a lot of energy. Alex made some pretty big plays in the matchup with Full Package going on his on a personal string of positive plays where he hit a three, then grabbed a rebound and went coast to coast and scored a tough layup in traffic. He then took a big charge which swung the momentum for Breakaway. Excellent floor general who should garner more four year small school opportunities.   [player_tooltip player_id="1194341" first="David" last="Douglas"] (Breakaway) Dynamic scoring guard who can play on and off the ball if needed. In the game I watched he showed the ability to score from all three levels. David is a shifty guard who can adjust if off the ball as he moved well and found openings to be effective. On defense he plays with a high motor and does whatever he can to disrupt plays.   [player_tooltip player_id="939057" first="Dalen" last="Davis"] (Meanstreets) Scoring guard who is starting to find his groove in running this Meanstreets team. Dalen is savvy guard that excelled in his mid-range pull up off a ball screen. A shot that has been fading on the high school level. Davis makes guys around him better by drawing so much attention. He hits people in the flow of the game. Dalen will continue get mid-plus interest.   [player_tooltip player_id="1215289" first="Mekhi" last="Lowery"] (Y&R) Lowery is a multi-tooled player who can play on the ball and off it. At his size 6’6 he can play the lead guard spot at times and not miss a beat. Mekhi rebounds the ball well and uses his length to disrupt on defense. Lowery can get in the lane and create havoc because he has an array of layups that he can finish with. D1 schools will be on him.   More Notables [player_tooltip player_id="1048315" first="Troy" last="Cicero"] (Illinois Wolves) Speedy guard who made a few shots. Great on ball defender a microwave scorer.   [player_tooltip player_id="1056104" first="Chikasi" last="Ofoma"] (Illinois Wolves) Big man that crashes the boards hard and can finish through contact.   [player_tooltip player_id="1210378" first="Conrad" last="Luczynski"] (Illinois Wolves) Unsigned 7’3” 2022 big man. Plays well with his back to the basket. He is a solid passer and is an excellent rim protector and rebounder.   [player_tooltip player_id="994687" first="Kaiden" last="Space"] (Y&R) Scoring guard who can alternate both positions in the back court. Plays tough help side defense and racks up assist numbers quietly.   [player_tooltip player_id="1105719" first="Asher" last="Jackson"] (Fire) Jackson made big shots in the game against the Wolves. Unsigned senior plays with a steady motor. Always looking to attack when on the court.   Drew Scharnowski (Breakaway) Big man who rebounds well and scores in multiple ways on the court. Has some face up abilities but has been more effective with his back to the basket.   [player_tooltip player_id="1371064" first="Tsvet" last="Sotirov"] (Full Package) Rolling Meadows post has made some big shots from the corner position. He can defend the three through five positions.   [player_tooltip player_id="989270" first="Richard" last="Barron"] (Meanstreets) Physical forward who has playing making abilities but did most of his scoring from three.