2027 And 2028 Playmaking Combo Guards From The Tune Up Illinois

There were plenty of solid players this past weekend at The Tune Up Illinois edition but most of the top ones I saw fit right into that combo guard role spot. These guys were the ultimate play makers of the weekend that showed up and showed out. Let's get into a handful of guys that played well during the two day event filling their roles and helping their teams compete.    I caught Morgan play on Friday which was the second time watching him live this travel season. He is an elite combo guard with an arsenal of components which stick out on both sides of the ball. Offensively he comfortably fits into a 1 or 2 guard with a an elite shifty handle and quick burst that makes him a threat in multiple phases. Earlier this spring I watched his slashing ability and quickness in the open floor deem a really tough cover for defensives to stay in front of. This past weekend however he showed his shooting range is just as valuable of an asset. He is ready on the catch to go into his jumper with fundamental form. I also got to witness more of his court vision for an alley oop to his big throwing it from the 3 point line and getting a touch in the paint multiple times for quick spray out assists. Morgan is a top tier combo guard that will continue to gain plenty of traction on the recruiting trail.     Johnson is another guard for the BP Hoops 17U team that helps speed the pace of the game up while providing quickness and agility on both ends of the floor. He works cohesively well with the other 3 back court players and together they play a well-established style of team basketball. The way each player passed and played off of one another in the late morning game on Friday was poetry in motion. Johnson helped create for teammates with a sharp backdoor pass and other drive and kickout reads for assists. His blend of athleticism and feel was also shown by nearly throwing down a dunk over a 6'5 post player off of one step and continuing to play at the rim during the break phase. His ability to rebound, attack the paint, and make winning plays will consistently impact.     It was back to back successful weekends for the 6'4 CG from Rich. I watched Eaton compete just a few days ago at Ridgewood where he showed a lot of positives in his game. This weekend there wasn't much to dislike about what he provided either. His plus length at the wing provides a challenge to compete against. He delivered smart reads to teammates and finished in a variety of ways including runners in the lane, a reverse layup, pull-ups from 12 – 17 feet, and 1 finishes, and a couple knock down 3's. When the team needed a bucket he was the go to guy. Eaton goes into his pump fake or jab step series comfortably to get the defense to rise or lean and then take off. I continue to like his versatility and he should gain more traction on the recruiting trail as senior year progresses.     There wasn't much that wasn't working for Mccool in his team's evening game on Thursday. He filled it up from 3 levels with knock down catch and shoot threes, pull ups from 17 feet or baseline jumpers, curl cuts into soft runners, and converted on breakaway finishes. Defensively he competes hard and helped turn steals into points the other way. Mccool also did a nice job of sharing the ball for drive and dish assists after drawing help defenses over. He is an intriguing versatile play making prospect at the off guard spot to track during senior year.     Bell displays a well rounded two-way game with an athletic fluidity that can help impact in most phases of the game. He helps generate turnovers with active hands and quick feet whether on the ball or anticipating the next pass. On the glass he helps secure rebounds at a high point with plus bounce and possesses strong verticality defensively. While playing the off guard role, he will push for pace with pitch aheads or helping orchestrate points himself with quickness and speed. Bell also showed scoring touch from 15 feet on a jumper that looks fundamentally sound. Stock should continue to rise for the Marian senior guard.

There were plenty of solid players this past weekend at The Tune Up Illinois edition but most of the top ones I saw fit right into that combo guard role spot. These guys were the ultimate play makers of the weekend that showed up and showed out. Let's get into a handful of guys that played well during the two day event filling their roles and helping their teams compete.