Hoop Group Chicago Jam Fest: Saturday Standouts
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Hoop Group hosted its first ever Chicago Jam Fest at the Joy of the Game gym in Deerfield on Saturday. The event featured a small sample of the elite programs in the Chicagoland area or the upcoming spring travel basketball…
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Continue ReadingHoop Group hosted its first ever Chicago Jam Fest at the Joy of the Game gym in Deerfield on Saturday. The event featured a small sample of the elite programs in the Chicagoland area or the upcoming spring travel basketball season. Here is look at the standouts from Saturday games.
Top 17U Players
Michael Foster (Mac Irvin Fire)
The big man from Milwaukee made his debut for the Fire and it was very impressive to say the least. Foster at 6’10 did about everything you could think of on the court. Mike was physical around the rim through contact. He stepped out and made shots from 15 feet and out to the three point line. On defense he rebounded around the basket and out of the area. Foster blocked shots and intimidated anyone around him causing opposing players to change their minds about trying to score on him. But if you ask anyone what stood out about Foster the most they would all say his tremendous ability to dunk everything with authority. Mike is an absolute high major prospect as he’s only a sophomore playing upon the 17U level.
Davis Walker (RWA)
Davis was poised in both contests on Saturday. He’s a shooting guard that played a lot on the ball when I watched him. Walker is a heady guard with a stocky build who knows how to use it to his advantage. Davis key contribution was getting in the lane drawing defenders and making either mid-range shots or finding his teammates for open layups and dunks. Walker finished both games with double figures in scoring. Will be a low major gem if he continues to convert to a point guard. He is a home schooled prospect!
Christian Shumate (Young & Reckless Stan)
Shumate provided highlights all Saturday morning. Christian is a high riser that loves to test the nuts and bolts on the rims. He was very active pushing the ball and running lanes. Shumate is a match up problem because of his versatility. He tried to dunk everything when near the rim. He’s still working on his shot to make a transition to a wing player but he’s so fun to watch because at any moment you may get a powerful dunk or a highlight block on the defensive side. Low to Mid plus player right now with good upside.
Ramean Hinton (Team Rose)
Just like Shumate, Ramean is another exciting prospect to see. He plays with so much energy that it becomes contagious. Hinton covers so much ground on defense that when he does it always turns into points. He was seen playing the passing lanes well and recovering on the back side for blocks. Offensively he’s a forceful slasher that is learning to get to the free-throw line. With solids guards around him he’s good at getting open when off the ball and making shots from mid-range and from deep. In the second game of the day Hinton led all scorers with 18 points.
Top 16U Players
Ahamad Bynum (Mac Irvin Fire)
Bynum was fun to watch in the opening game against Y&R Jeremy. He kept the defenders guessing weather he would be taking a three or getting to the rim with his relentless attack. He did most of his damage from beyond the arc, but was able to get to the rim when defenders crowded him. Bynum led in scoring with 27 points in the first game. He really turned it on whenever the game got close. Mid-major plus right now.
Amari Bailey (Mac Irvin Fire)
Amari was back in town to put on an athletic dunk show. Bailey who now resides in California was great all day as he split time with 16U and 17U Fire teams. With the 16’s he was spectacular at getting out on the break and finishing around the rim playing opposite of Bynum and Tre White (Top 10 Guard 2022 class). Amari had 2 big time plays coming off missed shots that brought the house down. With 17U he was effective in his mid-range game and on the defensive side turning steals in to transition points. Verballed to UCLA this kid who has 3 years left is only going to get better.
Kimahri Wilson (Y&R Justin)
Kimahri scores in bunches in various ways. The point guard from Carmel has a tight handle that makes it so hard for defenders to stay in front of him. He toyed with his opponents at times weaving in and out of the lane making creative finishes around the basket. When forced outside the paint he made some really tough shots showing his jumper has vastly improved. Wilson was so hot in the second game he score 14 straight points by himself. He finished with 26 and 2-0 start to the AAU season.