Parham Perspective: Early Illinois AAU Season
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It been about 4 weeks since the AAU season kicked off. And it has been mixture of good and bad basketball around the state of Illinois. Here is a recap and some info of what to expect out on the…
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Continue ReadingIt been about 4 weeks since the AAU season kicked off. And it has been mixture of good and bad basketball around the state of Illinois. Here is a recap and some info of what to expect out on the circuits this spring in the Parham Perspective: Early Illinois AAU Season!
Loaded 16U Squads
So far I’ve seen most of the state’s best 2021 teams and to say this class doesn’t have the talent is a little bit crazy. 16U doesn’t have the absolute HM guys but talented players are everywhere in the state of Illinois.
Mac Irvin Fire has a loaded squad led by a super trio of Amari Bailey (CA), Tre White (WI), and Ahamad Bynum (Simeon). This strong guard backcourt will lead them into the Nike EYBL. Bailey and White are two nationally ranked freshmen who can flat out ball. Bailey is the athletic wing who will put it on your head if you don’t put a body on him. White the big guard who sees the floor, but will sneak a dunk on you as well. Ahamad is the lights out shooter who can put your team away in three possessions. He plays tough on ball defense and will also meet you at the rim if you challenge him. This is a fun team to see in person and I’m sure will garnish a lot of attention on the circuit.
All-In Gauntlet Williams is another load team that has depth up and down the roster. Led by Amar Augillard (Zion Benton) the physical wing imposes his will on opponents. He is joined by speedy guard Isiah Holden (Evanston) who is a blur in transition as he keeps the tempo high when he has the ball in his hands. Sharpshooter Noah Reynolds (Peoria Notre Dame) is the guy who keeps the floor spaced. He can make shots from any spot on the court and makes it hard for teams to double teammates or go zone against them. And the depth doesn’t stop there they have length in 6’9 Jaylen Bryson (Champaign Centennial) who is a big that runs the court well and finishes around the rim. Expecting good things from this talented team the rest of this spring.
Young & Reckless Brim is yet another loaded team that competes on the Adidas Silver Gauntlet and has several players with offers already heading into the second year of the high school travel basketball season. John Poulakidas (Neuqua Valley) and Kimahri Wilson (Carmel) are the leaders of this deep team. Poulakidas is the skilled small forward that can do a little bit of everything at the forward spot. Wilson is the do it all point guard who scores at an alarming rate once he gets it going. He can go on a 12 point scoring spree at any time and still keep his teammates involved in the process. This duo has help in all forms starting with energy guy Julius Rollins (Hillcrest) who is a 6’5 athletic wing player that has a nose for the ball. He plays with a high motor and is always in the area of the basketball when a shot is missed. Then there is the savvy guard Jalen Houston (Hyde Park) who is well versed in the screen and role game. He has the ability to get to his spot where he has almost perfected the mid-range pull up and when it’s taken away he finds his teammates. And then there is my personal favorite Daryl Reed (TF North). The traditional back to the basket big man who is physical and fearless. Reed still has some ways to go but he has a nice hook shot over defenders and has shown the ability to cover big men in the post. Another deep team that’s should do well on the circuit.
Meanstreets EYBL team is loaded and ready for the circuit this year starting with a pair of teammates Jaylin Gibson and Blake Peters from Evanston. These two provide the winning culture of the team already having two runs downstate with their high school. Gibson is an imposing guard who is very aggressive and doesn’t back down from a challenge. Peters is the lights out shooter who can make shots with or without someone guarding him. He’s a dead eye shooter who just plays hard and competes on both ends of the floor. Grant Newell (Whitney Young) is a long and athletic wing who covers ground on the defensive end and offensively he shows good ball handling that helps him beat guys off the dribble. Troy D’Amico (Niles Notre Dame) is a forward that plays with a lot of confidence. He can shoot and can do some things in the mid post area. Troy is very crafty and a gamer. Meanstreets also has speedy terror Tevin Smith (Danville) who can score with almost any guard in the country. Smith plays with a good pace for his team and is a willing passer in transition. They also carry two out of state studs that will surely get them another bid to Peach Jam in the summer.
New Programs to Look Out For
I Hustle is a new Adidas Silver Gauntlet program who has done well in the couple tournaments they have played in already. Led by the strong back court of 2021 guards Sean Burress (Thornwood) and Matt Hawkins (Mount Carmel). In two events already this team has made it to two championships games. Burris is the very skilled PG who thinks two plays ahead. He is very poised and makes everyone around him better. Hawkins is a knock down shooter who can also create for himself and others but his ability to make shots mid-range and out is what draws attention. This is a strong team that will start gaining momentum as the AAU season picks up.
Legends U Independent is a team that has a lot of size for the 15U level, but the wings and guards are the meats and potatoes of this up and coming program. Legends are led by guard Jaylen Brown (De la Salle). The 5’10 pit bull guard who has great range already on his shots. Brown has a high IQ for a freshmen and a good frame that you hope continues to grow over the years. Also contributing is wing Lavar Lindsey (Kenwood). A tough forward who loves to play defense. He can guard four positions on the court. On offense he uses his body to overpower defenders with strong drives to the rim. The big man Jamil Wilson (De La Salle) is 6’6 rim protector who swats everything in his path. He is mobile for his size and does a solid job around the rim. This a team with lots of potential and talent for the next couple of years.
Chicago Grinders plays on the Adidas Silver Gauntlet. The Grinders are a hard-nosed Chicago group of kids that get after it on every play. Each player compliments the next. Every player on this team has a good motor and high intensity on the defensive side. The scrappy 17U squad is led by Xavier Johnson (Marshall) and Richard Simmons (Kenwood). Both have a keen sense of on the ball defense and look to pick off ball handlers at the blink of an eye. Johnson is a pure athlete with good instincts on offense. Simmons plays the passing lanes really well and shows glimpses of a solid mid-range game. Good things normally happen when you have a group of players who are like minded. Grinders should be no different this spring.
If You Didn’t Know
The 17U loaded team Young & Reckless Boateng has decided to run on the Adidas Circuit under the program Kevon Looney Elite out of Wisconsin. They have started play and has just added two newcomers to the program guard Tyler Beard (Whitney Young) and big man Martice Mitchell (Bloom) to an already top heavy talented team. Playing on the Adidas Gauntlet Circuit and PrepHoops Circuit will give this team a bigger platform to perform on.