Run N Slam: Illinois Top Performances
Over the weekend PrepHoopsIllinois was the Run N Slam in Fort Wayne, Indiana. There were a ton of top prospects from the state of Illinois in the house. Here we run through the top Illinois performances from the weekend. …
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Continue ReadingOver the weekend PrepHoopsIllinois was the Run N Slam in Fort Wayne, Indiana. There were a ton of top prospects from the state of Illinois in the house. Here we run through the top Illinois performances from the weekend.
Brandon Weston (Mac Irvin Fire 17U)
Weston is a shooting guard that didn’t play during the high school season because of a transfer from Lake Forest Academy to Morgan Park. The 2021 two guard is an explosive scorer that currently sets at #3 in the state rankings. He can get to the rack off the bounce with explosion. Showed that on several aggressive drives throughout the event. Also shot it at a high level from the perimeter! Smooth jumper from three. Solid wing defender that plays with energy.
Adam Miller (Mac Irvin Fire 17U)
The top prospect in the state of Illinois in 2020 played like it on Friday night and throughout the weekend overall. Miller is a scoring point guard that can flat out get buckets. Crisp pull up shooter from three that also knocks them down off the catch. He was on point from three nailing them throughout the event. In transition he has such a great burst blowing past the defense. Showed some passing flair and was a force in the Fire’s full court defense!
Connor Dillon (Illinois Irish 17U)
Dillon scored 35 points on Saturday morning when we caught the Irish. The Peoria Notre Dame combo guard is an athletic guard that can take it to the rim in transition including throwing it down over one defender at the hoop. The strength of his game is his perimeter shooting as he knocked down threes all over the floor. Definitely one of the best shooting performances of the weekend. Good feel for the game that is a solid passer as well.
Keshawn Williams (Young & Reckless 17U)
Williams had a big outing on Saturday for Y&R posting a good scoring game. Athletic two guard that plays above the rim in the open floor. His jump shot was consistent especially pulling up off the bounce. That is how he ended the game drilling the game winner.
Dante Maddox (Young & Reckless 17U)
Maddox also put in work for Y&R. Williams’ Bloom High School backcourt mate is a scoring two guard that flat out gets buckets. Takes and makes deep three pointers where he gets a lot of elevation off the floor. Pull up three is his forte. Had an impressive take where he finished with his off hand around defenders en route to 21 points.
Troy D’Amico (Meanstreets 16U)
D’Amico displayed why he is such a talented prospect against Neo True Game on Saturday. The Niles Notre Dame combo forward is a versatile and skilled kid that can score inside-out. Used a sweet right handed hook shot on the block along with being able to stretch the floor with his shooting. Quality passer as well.
Grant Newell (Meanstreets 16U)
Newell didn’t do much in the first game we saw Meanstreets on Saturday. Then he was dominant Sunday in bracket play against Breakaway. Newell’s quickness and athleticism around the rim were too much to contend with. Got on the offensive glass for multiple put backs. Knocked in mid-range jumpers setting it up on a jab step. Runs the floor with fluidity. Threw down explosive dunks.
Jaylen Drane (Mac Irvin Fire 15U)
Drane is the future star for Simeon at the point guard spot. Combo with size and a slender build. He can really score it for a young prospect. Was on “fire” with his new team drilling jumpers from all around the floor. Athletic scoring guard with a ton of potential going forward!
Matt Ambrose (Quad City Elite 17U)
Ambrose has been known as a plus perimeter shooter throughout his career and he definitely did that very well. So much so the fans of the opposing squad were yelling at their team to guard him for threes. Quick and concise release knocking them down from the corners with regularity. Sneaky athlete that likes to use the runner game when in the lane.
John Poulakidas (Young & Reckless 16U)
Poulakidas is primed to make another leap in our next update with the way he has played over the last six months. He is just so consistent each time out. You know what you are going to get out of the 6’5” lefty small forward. Plus shooter that knocks them down consistently from beyond the arc. He has also really improved his athleticism and his ball handling which have allowed him to create more shots off the bounce. Plus wing passer and defended well when we saw him.
AJ Casey (Meanstreets 15U)
Casey is the best 2022 prospect in the state of Illinois. The Simeon post had a dominant performance on Sunday morning in the quarterfinals. He went for 20 points scoring in a variety of ways, but was most effective sealing his man off on the block finishing with layups or dunks. Great combination of athleticism, size, and skill. Can put it on the deck some and hit a three on occasion. Another aspect that stands out is his shot blocking on the defensive end.
Jordan Rice (Quad City Elite 16U)
Rice is the heart and soul of the QCE 16U squad. He put his team on his back and helped get them back in the game we saw against Indy Heat. The small lead guard plays with a lot of speed pushing it in the open floor. Slick ball handler. Got to the rack on a regular basis finishing and-1 opportunities. Capable shooter off the catch when spotting up.
Jason Bergstrom (Wolverines 17U)
Bergstrom led his team to an upset win over Indy Heat in the first round of bracket play. We evaluated him in the quarterfinals against All Ohio Red. This Niles Notre Dame 2020 wing is a broad shouldered and strong small forward that can really shoot it with a feathery looking jump shot. Hit them from three off the catch along with making crisp one dribble pull ups. Sleeper player in the 2020 class.