Illinois Tune Up: Backcourt Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rare mid week AAU event coined the Illinois Tune Up took place this past Thursday and Friday just off historic Route 66 in Romeoville. After giving you the frontcourt standouts from 17U division yesterday. I'll move out to the perimeter today.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2540149' first='Tobyus' last='Banks'] <strong>Jr 6-2 2027 Chicago Curie (pictured) </strong>No fancy thesarus scouting buzzwords for this player's Friday performance. He was simply everywhere and did everything for the Illinois Hoopstars in a victory against a strong [program_tooltip program_id='2622592' first='Flight' last='Athletics'] squad. An excellent athlete who excelled on both ends of the court. Good ball handler who got to the basket at will. Exploded to rim and used his strong frame to finish through contact. Put together a huge second half to finish with 23 points in the previously mentioned Friday victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2393484' first='Miguel' last='Gaspar'] <strong>5-10 2028 Morton West</strong> The clutch performer of the event. Gaspar wasn't undefeated Illinios Outwork's best or biggest player. But he wanted the ball late and came up big. Hitting pressure packed game winning free throws on Friday. Very slender build but made up for with mix of toughness and quickness. Kept defenses honest with deep range on the perimeter. Got to his spots with a tight handle. More than just a clutch peformer. Put up 20 points against a Illinois Hoopstars squad that a featured a talented and physical backcourt (see above) Will certainly need to develop his frame to take the next step developmentally. As a 2028 playing up an age group, has plenty of time and ability to do so.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayvion Watkins 5-11 2028 Morton West</strong> Gaspar wasn't the only Illinois Outwork guard performing well while playing up age division. Watkins was a little bigger than Gaspar and it showed on the defensive end. Applied consistent on ball pressure that helped his squad go undefeated. Not a featured part of the Outwork offensive attack. However, scored when needed. Finished with nine points against a talented Illinois Hoopstars backcourt. If they stick together, it will be intriguing to see how Watkins and Gaspar play together next season while playing within their own age group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2403394' first='Carter' last='Hart'] <strong>5-8 2027 Deerfield</strong> First... I have to call it how I see it. I print what I get digitally. But I don't believe this is a 5-8 guard. If the height is correct, then this prospect fits a prototype of one my favorite category of players. A long limbed backcourt prospect who plays taller than his listed height. Formed a nice duo with [player_tooltip player_id='2125623' first='D'Angelo' last='Perkins'] to help All In-Hart go 3-1 on the weekend. Good ball handler with quickness. Even if he is taller than 5-8, was still an above average finisher at the rim at 5-10 or 5-11. Put up 13 points in a Thursday victory against Flight athletics squad that a featured a big and physical backcourt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3597611' first='Ben' last='Sajuan']<strong> 6-1 2027 Warren Gurnee</strong> I try not to mention a player twice from one event. Sometimes a performance forces my hand. After a 29 point outing on Thursday. Sajuan continued his "strong" play throughout the day event. I use the quotes intentionally. This was the definition of a power point guard. Used his broad shoulders to shed defenders and create space on penetration. If this makes him sound like hulking "bully ball" point guard, that is far from the full picture. Has plenty of quickness and gets off the ground quickly to make plays at the rim. Don't let the 29 point outing fool you either. Moved into more of distributor role on Friday as well. Still put up 13 points against a good [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] squad, but got his talented post involved in the close victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->