Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B’s 2028 Illinois Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who were the Illinois prospects that stood out above the rest of us at the Chi-Town Tip Off event over the weekend?&nbsp; Here is a look at a few of the cream of crop in <strong>Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B's 2028 Illinois Standouts</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531981' first='Cole' last='Kelly'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelly proved why is considered one of the premier prospects regardless of class in the state of Illinois with his play at Chi-Town Tip Off playing up on the 17U level for [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''].&nbsp; What stood out the most about Kelly was how many different areas he impacts the game.&nbsp; Skilled lefty small forward was one of the best passers I saw all weekend.&nbsp; At his size he has such an elite feel for the game seeing over the defense.&nbsp; Consistently grabbed defensive rebounds pushing off the break throwing long outlets for dimes.&nbsp; Also has that same passing instinct in the half court set.&nbsp; Always under control with the ball in his hands creating and playmaking.&nbsp; As a scorer he bombed in threes, got downhill with his strength, and can post up.&nbsp; Legit three level scorer that can get a bucket pretty much whenever he wants with his footwork and bag of moves.&nbsp; Elite high-major player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2532003' first='Joey' last='Jakstys'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jakstys was the best player on the floor in the second half of their game against [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''].&nbsp; With a ton of highly ranked prospects out there he took over the game.&nbsp; Plus athlete that combines that with skill and size on the wing. &nbsp;Clean looking stroke from three, but it really was his ability to attack with his long strides and variety of finishing moves that caught our attention.&nbsp; Won his one on one matchup and then would convert around the post in the paint seemingly at will.&nbsp; Active rebounder and showcased the lateral quickness needed on the defensive end along with length.&nbsp; Monster showing for him!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2839941' first='Noah' last='VanTholen'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>VanTholen was the other key piece for [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] in their comeback win at the 16U level against [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] in the second half.&nbsp; The Riverside Brookfield combo guard can play both on and off the ball.&nbsp; He was aggressive getting to the rim for reverse layups, euro steps, and scoring on back cuts.&nbsp; His toughness and basketball IQ really standout along with his size for position at this age.&nbsp; Projects as the next go to player for RB!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531979' first='CJ' last='Pittman'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pittman was the star of their second game on Saturday.&nbsp; The Walter Payton big bodied guard used his physicality and handle pushing in transition like a running back hitting the hole and exploding to the cup.&nbsp; Did most of his damage in the open floor long with getting to the line.&nbsp; Also brought the intensity on the defensive side of the ball at the point of attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531962' first='Amir' last='Tucker'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pretty complete weekend for the St. Ignatius star who had a strong close to the high school season.&nbsp; He is running with [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] now and is primed for a big spring.&nbsp; Off to a nice start as he showed a well-rounded game at Chi-Town Tip Off.&nbsp; Did a nice job of balancing the distributing and finding his spots to score.&nbsp; Skip passes, quality reads in the half court, drive/kick assists, and pushed the pace making passes on the move for dimes.&nbsp; As a scorer he got in the heart of the defense for soft touch finishes, got on the glass for second chance points, got to the cup in transition for scores with his speed, and knocked in some jumpers.&nbsp; Also showcased his length on the defensive end creating a couple steals a game when we saw him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194655' first='Braydon' last='Porter'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Porter had a strong close to the weekend with a 17 point outing in their final game of the weekend.&nbsp; Physcially built wing that brings big time athleticism especially in transition to the table.&nbsp; At his best with a head of steam behind him getting downhill to the rim for scores and in the open floor.&nbsp; Had a few impressive dunks including a tip slam and windmill off a steal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125627' first='Ethan' last='Vahl'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vahl displayed the best passing we had seen out of him in his career.&nbsp; Whether it was on or off the ball.&nbsp; As a primary playmaker or connective passer he was on point throughout the weekend.&nbsp; Lob passes, outlets, dimes on the move, and overall showcasing a really high basketball IQ.&nbsp; Did find his spots to score with smooth takes and his skilled handle getting to his spots to do damage.&nbsp; Long and wiry frame with a lot of projection in there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2395586' first='Amir' last='Beasley'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beasley started out slow on Saturday, but turned it up on Sunday.&nbsp; The super long and lanky power forward is a fluid rim runner that has all the physical and athletic tools you could ask for.&nbsp; At times he will drift and settle for his jumper which needs some refinement mechanically.&nbsp; When he is at his best like on the last two games of the event he is active around the hoop on the offensive glass, attacking close out with his long strides for dunks, and playing off his athleticism.&nbsp; Defensively he covers a ton of ground both vertically and laterally.&nbsp; We saw the best version out of the top 10 prospect from Danville on Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2832377' first='Max' last='Lustenberger'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lustenberger had a strong showing for the Bears Saturday.&nbsp; The Carterville point guard came out firing keeping his team in the game with his shot making draining an array of contested three point shots.&nbsp; Also was sneaky off the bounce and working around ball screens getting through holes to the cup for scores and fouls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2832405' first='JJ' last='Gwaltney'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gwaltney is a lefty shooter with solid size.&nbsp; Hit several threes in the game we saw as he is among the better pure spot up shot makers from the 618 in 2028.&nbsp; Would like to continue to see progression in other areas of his game moving forward maybe impacting a little more outside of shooting, but that will be the skill which gets him looks at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3454823' first='Landon' last='Ray'] (Midwest Bobcats)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ray was among the top stock risers in Illinois over the weekend.&nbsp; Currently checks in at #112 overall in 2028.&nbsp; He is about to move up 80 to 90 spots in our next update.&nbsp; Had kind of a weird year at St. Viator, but what we saw out of him over the weekend was insanely impressive.&nbsp; At about 6'5” with broad shoulders, long frame with strength, skill, and athleticism he reminds us a little of Ben VanderWal from a few years back.&nbsp; Legit three level scoring threat that had it all working knocking in jumpers along with scoring inside.&nbsp; Excellent footwork in the paint, but also on the perimeter as he had his defenders on skates multiple times with creative drives to the rim.&nbsp; Loved his passing as a playmaking forward in ball screens and on the move finding guys.&nbsp; Played above the rim throwing down lobs and cutting off the ball.&nbsp; Defensively he jumped several passing lanes for finishes on the other end showing nice anticipation.&nbsp; With Steve and I both watching he dropped 23 points like it was nothing!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Devuan Bates (Geek Squad)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bates played up on the 17U level for Geek Squad.&nbsp; The De La Salle point guard is a fun player to watch with his burst in the open floor getting to the rack.&nbsp; Also has a solid looking three point shot as he poured in quite a few of them in the game we caught.&nbsp; High energy guard that is one to track!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->