Illinois Tune Up: Bigs on Parade

The first event of July Prep Hoops Circuit commenced earlier than usual due to the weekend placement of Indepwndence Day. Following are the frontcourt standouts I saw in the two day event coined the Tune Up Illinois. All players are from the class of 2027 playing in the 17U division.   ** Lake Forest prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2499191' first='Rory' last='Haas'] certainly belongs with the group, however I already wrote about him Thursday night. Follow his orange hyper link for those observations**   [player_tooltip player_id='2387442' first='Wes' last='Shelby'] 6-6 Lincoln Way East (pictured) I was impressed with the protype of the stretch four on Thursday. Shelby has a sturdy frame that allows him to hold his spot down on the block. While also impressed with his soft touch around the basket. In my first time viewing this player (out of state scout) I though the skeleton key here was his ability to stretch the court. Showed a smooth and effortless release from beyond the arc. He is left handed and also has a high release point. Combined with his height, this makes his shot particularly hard to block. Got into the shooting motion quickly and was light on his feet with good lateral movements.   Nick Brzezniak 6-6 Lincoln Way Central The [program_tooltip program_id='2622592' first='Flight' last='Athletics']- Hill squad stayed in the Lincoln Way school district for the second half of their twin tower look. While Shelby scored at the rim and stretched the, Brzezniak literally did everything in between. Stayed in motion off the ball and scored off cuts. He shot the ball well and scored in the mid range. He also showed good straight line speed and was particularly effective in transition. Broad shouldered player who did not shy away from contact. The outside shot didn't appear as fluid as Shelby's but he was certainly effective and comfortable from beyond the arc. Started off a close Sunday loss against Illinois Hoopstars with three from deep. Beyond the long range exploits, he was outstanding throughout that whole game. Finishing with 21 points and almost willing his team to a victory.   [player_tooltip player_id='2834476' first='Daniel' last='Spychala'] 6-7 Crystal Lake Central If the [program_tooltip program_id='2622592' first='Flight' last='Athletics'] squad featured a twin tower look. I'm not sure what to call three pronged post look that [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] McCormick featured. I'm going with troika. Spychala had perhaps the highest skill level of the trio. The lefty showed advanced ball skills. Good ball handler, passer, and shooter. This gave him a high level of versatility. Offensively I would say he is capable of playing positions 3-5 effectively. His sturdy frame will probably make him a stretch four long term. Good footwork as he got into his shooting efficiently on the perimeter.   [player_tooltip player_id='2834320' first='Danny' last='Simon'] 6-7 Prospect While Spychala might have had the higher overall skill level. It was telling how much offense [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] chose to run through Simon's hands. Could really pass out of the high post and resembled a very poor man's Jokic type game. Has a wide frame and did not mind contact at all. Frustrated more than one opponent with his physicality and aggressiveness. Didn't show much elevation. However, had the well rounded game to make up for it. Showed an arrary of hook shots from different angles that made him effective at the rim. Type of player I could see developing into a very good small college posr. Loaded with winning intangibles and led his squad to 4-0 record. Put up 15 points against Illinois Prestige Elite.   [player_tooltip player_id='2442190' first='Nicholas' last='Konchan'] 6-8 Loyola Academy The third part of the troika was also the tallest. Fit in nicely between the two previously listed players. Not as bulky as Simon, but mote explosive athletically. Not as skilled as Spychala but stayed in the post and did good work on the glass. Accordingly was a bouncy post who got off the ground quicker than the other two. Wasn't just limited to the post. Could stretch the floor with an outside shot that had a unique but high release point. Very mobile and ran the court fluidly. Might have to highest upside as a defender of three prospects.   [player_tooltip player_id='2406804' first='Timothy' last='Lane'] 6-7 Morton West The potential pick of this group. Lane did not put up many counting statistics for an Illinois Outwork squad that went undefeated on the weekend. He didn't get a ton of touches on the perimeter oriented squad. When did, he knew what to do with them. Good elevation made him a factor at the rim on both ends of the court. Ran the court with purpose and knew how to fill lanes. Walled up well defensively with his frame and elevation. Not a finished product but has qualities you can't coach (size athleticism) Could be a late blooming prospect for a patient coach.

The first event of July Prep Hoops Circuit commenced earlier than usual due to the weekend placement of Indepwndence Day. Following are the frontcourt standouts I saw in the two day event coined the Tune Up Illinois. All players are from the class of 2027 playing in the 17U division.