Great Lakes Finals: Steve's Saturday AM Stars

The Saturday morning slate at the Great Lakes Finals in Chicago brought plenty of energy, physicality, and high-level shot making as several 2028 prospects stepped up in a major way. Guards controlled tempo, wings attacked downhill, and big men imposed their will around the paint throughout the morning session. Here's a look at some of the top performers from the opening games.     Devontey Perkins – TNBA     Perkins was simply dominant around the paint all morning long. The powerful 6-foot-5 forward overwhelmed defenders with his strength, physicality, and relentless motor. He consistently initiated contact on drives and finished through bodies while controlling the glass on both ends. Perkins carved out space for second-chance opportunities and looked nearly impossible to keep off the boards. His production spoke for itself as he finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds in a huge performance.     [player_tooltip player_id='2892633' first='Kayonta' last='Williams'] – MW Renegades 2028     Williams put together a strong second-half showing while displaying his smooth all-around game. The crafty lefty guard played under control and showed advanced court vision as a playmaker. He navigated traffic well, made smart reads, and impacted the game on the glass despite playing in the backcourt. Williams' ability to rebound and immediately push the pace added another layer to his game. He finished with 13 points in a solid outing.     DJ Laye – MW Renegades 2028     Laye showcased why he continues to trend upward as one of the more dynamic guards in attendance. The quick-twitch playmaker was electric in the open floor, handling the ball with confidence and creativity. He played with tremendous pace, got to his floater effectively, and knocked down a deep catch-and-shoot three. Defensively, his activity level and quick hands created problems throughout the game. Fresh off a state championship run, Laye continued his strong play with 16 points.     TJ Smith – Chicago Fire 2028     Smith brought speed, toughness, and shot-making to the floor in a highly productive performance. The 5-foot-10 guard was tough to stay in front of with the ball in his hands and consistently created separation off the dribble. He showed impressive range from beyond the arc while also facilitating at a high level for teammates. Smith's defensive pressure and quick hands stood out as well. He wrapped up the morning with 15 points and 7 assists.     [player_tooltip player_id='2194657' first='Josiah' last='Hall'] – MW Renegades 2028     Hall continues to expand his offensive game and looked extremely comfortable scoring around the basket Saturday morning. The 6-foot-4 wing did a great job operating out of the dunker spot, finishing through contact and attacking openings inside. He also showed confidence stepping out and knocking down a pair of threes. Hall's improved versatility offensively was noticeable as he totaled 15 points.     Jakaris Shelton – TNBA 2028     Shelton completely changed the pace of the game whenever he had the ball. Despite standing just 5-foot-5, the explosive guard played fearless basketball while carrying the scoring load for TNBA. His first step was lightning quick, allowing him to consistently collapse defenders and create offense. When defenders went under screens or lost track of him, Shelton made them pay from deep. He knocked down three triples and finished with 21 points in a breakout effort.     Landon Carlson – NW United 2028     Carlson delivered a steady and fundamentally sound performance in the win for NW United. The 6-foot-5 post player controlled the paint defensively with his rebounding presence and rim protection. Offensively, he showed soft touch around the basket, including scoring effectively with a jump hook. Carlson impacted the game without forcing anything and finished with 12 points and 9 rebounds.     [player_tooltip player_id='2844384' first='Ryder' last='Provost'] – [program_tooltip program_id='3647874' first='Chicago' last='Cannons'] 2028     Provost brought nonstop energy and hustle every second he was on the floor. Though undersized, he consistently battled inside, chased loose balls, and found ways to make winning plays. He knocked down three triples early while also scoring off effort plays and putbacks around the basket. Provost's activity level stood out throughout the morning as he finished with 15 points in the loss to NW United.

The Saturday morning slate at the Great Lakes Finals in Chicago brought plenty of energy, physicality, and high-level shot making as several 2028 prospects stepped up in a major way. Guards controlled tempo, wings attacked downhill, and big men imposed their will around the paint throughout the morning session. Here's a look at some of the top performers from the opening games.