Chi-Town TipOff: Teddy’s Saturday Morning Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After 265 days, I'm back on the Prep Hood Circuit! Here's some of my most notable standouts from Saturday mornings action in Batavia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Davuan Bates</strong> - <strong>Geek Squad 15u</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of all the Geek Squad players, Bates is probably the player with the most upside. Lengthy guard from De La Salle with a solid athletic build. Stood out defensively with great hands and quick feet. Forcing turnovers in a variety of ways. Moves well off the ball. Getting himself open for some easy buckets. Could be a player we talk about for a while. Younger brother of 2022 G Dajuan Bates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2427903' first='Isaiah' last='Childress']</strong> - <strong>All-in Athletic II 15u</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Solid start to the morning from Childress. Opened the game vs Geek squad with a smooth floater near the free throw line. As the game progressed, he became very active as a passer. Most productive player on his team that could grow into a very solid guard at Warren.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2433661' first='Aamir' last='Smith']</strong> - <strong>Geek Squad 15u</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2433661' first='Aamir' last='Smith'] is a physical 6'1 guard who plays at an extremely fast pace. Showed tons of promise with his ability to finish through contact. Drew several fouls and converted at a decent rate at the free throw line. Best part of his game is his transition abilities. Excellent decision maker overall. Knocked down a 3-pointer in the 2nd half and forced a turnover on the other end almost immediately.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194657' first='Josiah' last='Hall']</strong> <strong>- Geek Squad 15u</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hall is a 6'0” combo capable of doing it all. Always seemed to be clicking with [player_tooltip player_id='2433661' first='Aamir' last='Smith']. Especially in transition. Extended his range early on vs All-in with a triple from the top of the key. Showcased excellent abilities as a passer as the game progressed. At least 3-4 assists from him as the first half concluded. Then hit a buzzer-beater.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DJ Jackson - [program_tooltip program_id='2830289' first='Vikings' last='United'] 14u</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson had a huge game for [program_tooltip program_id='2830289' first='Vikings' last='United'] when they faced future this morning. Knocking down five triples in different areas outside the arc. Knocked down shots from the line later in the contest to help seal a win vs Future. Finishing with 24 pts that game. I got to watch him more vs [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last='']. Forcing numerous turnovers and creating points in transition on the other end. Complimented all that with some solid passing abilities in the ladder half of that game. 14u prospect going to Homewood-Flossmoor next year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2381650' first='Josiah' last='Vargas']</strong> <strong>- Slam City 15u</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A name to watch out of Rockford. Explosive guard from Boylan had a pair of tough buckets in the early going. Solid build helps him finish through contact. Good defensive showing vs MKE Blazers. Blocking a shot in transition from behind the hard. Showcased great transition speed as the game went on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Excellent euro-step finish on the fast-break for an easy two points. Also knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Playmaking abilities were on-point in the 2nd half with multiple assists to keep this a close contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2818001' first='Jaziah' last='Howard']</strong> - <strong>Slam City 15u</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The potential is definitely there with Howard. He drew tons of fouls in the early going and complements that with an ability score from all three levels. Solid rebounder on both ends with active hands. I don't think I saw him got beat at all on the defensive end. He's a lengthy guard from North Boone. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2672610' first='Charlie' last='Bleimehl']</strong> <strong>- [program_tooltip program_id='2224082' first='Milwaukee' last='Trail Blazers'] 15u</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crafty playmaker for [program_tooltip program_id='2224082' first='Milwaukee' last='Trail Blazers']. Shows great footwork on both ends of the floor to force turnovers and break past opponents. One of my favorite plays of the morning came when he spun past an opponent for a floating layup. Delivered some solid assists later in the contest, too. Has the build to be an excellent point guard long term.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2855834' first='Jayden' last='Przybilla'] - [program_tooltip program_id='2224082' first='Milwaukee' last='Trail Blazers'] 15u</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Przybilla had a big opening half for the [program_tooltip program_id='2224082' first='Milwaukee' last='Trail Blazers'] vs Slam City. He's a lengthy Forward who showcase a unique ability to score inside. Capable of finishing at the rim with both hands. Excelled at breaking past his opponents and finding open spaces in the floor. Banked in a 3-pointer late in the opening frame, too. Showed off a tough reverse layup in the second half and continued to move well off the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->