Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B’s Top Illinois 2023 Performers
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What 2023 prospects from the weekend made the biggest impression? Here are the ones that caught our attention in Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B’s 2023 Top Performers! Camron Wilford (BC Elite) This attacking point guard from Hyde Park gets…
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Continue ReadingWhat 2023 prospects from the weekend made the biggest impression? Here are the ones that caught our attention in Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B’s 2023 Top Performers!
Camron Wilford (BC Elite)
This attacking point guard from Hyde Park gets to the line and finishes through contact. He had 16 points on Friday night in an impressive opening game.
Da’marion Morris Da’marion Morris 5'10" | PG Hyde Park | 2023 IL (BC Elite)
Another Hyde Park 2023 lead guard that shined at Chi-Town Tip Off in that same game. Morris is a plus shooter from deep that connected on four triples in the game we saw while playing a level up at 17U.
Jeremy Harrington Jeremy Harrington 6'5" | PF Chicago Curie | 2023 State IL (Team Rose)
Harrington jumped on our radar during the high school season for Curie and he had an outstanding weekend for Team Rose 16U. Undersized four man has a strong frame and rebounds well in traffic. Like how he crashes the offensive glass having a feel for where it is coming off and putting it right back in. His ability to knock down shots was also an aspect that opened our eyes. Made four threes in one game along with consistently knocking in mid-range shots throughout the weekend. Tough post defender as well.
Bailey Woods Bailey Woods 6'5" | SG Lake Park | 2023 IL (Team Rose)
Woods is a Hampshire wing that showed flashes as a lefty scorer with slick takes to the hoop, capability as a shooter, and instinctive passing from his off guard spot.
Chikasi Ofoma Chikasi Ofoma 6'6" | C Curie | 2023 State IL (Team Rose)
Ofoma is primed to breakout. The Simeon combo forward has a great frame and the ability to use his quickness and power combination effectively all over the court. He loves to face up from the high-post area and take it at his man with shifty drives and spin moves. Handles it well and finishes through contact. High level rebounder.
Jordan Pickett Jordan Pickett 6'1" | SG Belleville East | 2023 State IL (Brad Beal Elite)
This Belleville East product had a nice outing in the first BBE 16U game we caught. His ability to knock down pull up mid-range jumpers at a solid clip was what stood out to us. Stretched it to three as well. Played both on and off the ball throughout the event.
Macaleab Rich Macaleab Rich 6'5" | SF East St. Louis | 2023 State #261 Nation IL (Brad Beal Elite)
Rich is what he is. The 6’5” forward is a junk yard dog combo forward with a college football ready made body right now. He crashes the boards with absolute ferocity snatching them and putting it back in for second chance points. Excels in transition as a finisher. Still waiting for the skill set to come along, but with his motor he can be a low-major player for sure right now.
Sam Lewis Sam Lewis 6'5" | SF Oak Park River Forest | 2023 State IL (Meanstreets)
Lewis is a sharp shooting two guard from OPRF. Feathery jump shot is his strength and he displayed that throughout the event draining them from three. Active defender and showed some flashes as a passer. Right now mostly a pure sniper!
Miles Rubin Miles Rubin 6'7" | PF Homewood Flossmoor | 2023 State #243 Nation IL (Meanstreets)
Rubin separated himself from the array of big men on Meanstreets 16U squad with a strong weekend. The Homewood Flossmoor four man brought his A game high pointing rebounds in traffic and finishing with thunderous dunks throughout the event. High activity level with a lot of projectability as a two way post.
Bryce Tillery Bryce Tillery 5'7" | PG Hillcrest | 2023 State IL (Illinois Hoopstars)
Tillery is a smaller point guard from Hillcrest that will be their next standout guard. He is quick off the bounce with the ball getting in the lane with ease for runners. Finishes well in the paint despite his lack of ideal size. Solid pull up shooter. Tough lead guard.
Keon Alexander Keon Alexander 6'6" | PF Bolingbrook | 2023 State IL (Illinois Hoopstars)
Alexander impressed again this weekend. The Bolingbrook power forward always brings a high motor. The skill is starting to come along as well. He scored with athleticism in the paint along with skilled hook shots and rebounded at a really good rate.
Joshua Thomas Joshua Thomas 6'5" | PF Evanston | 2023 State IL (Illinois Hoopstars)
Projectable small forward from Stevenson started to put it together this weekend. Showed flashes of his immense potential. Long and rangy frame with smooth acceleration with the ball in his hands. Got to the rim several times off the bounce for dunks and hit a three as well. Like his long-term potential quite a bit.
Maurice Thomas Maurice Thomas 6'1" | PG Depaul Prep | 2023 State IL (Illinois Hoopstars)
The DePaul Prep point guard was lights out shooting it from deep for the Hoopstars. On the ball guard that can really knock down shots at a nice clip
Cordy Johnson Cordy Johnson 5'8" | PG Michelle Clark | 2023 State IL (Illinois Heat)
Johnson is a smaller 2023 guard that played up on the 17U level and was not fazed at all. Quick guard with tight handles that can hit a shot every now and then.
Mekhi Lowery (Illinois Stars)
Really impressed with Lowery and what he can be long term. The Oswego East 2023 small forward has a long and lanky frame. Did most of his damage in the paint whether it was on put backs, transition, or drives off the bounce. Like what he brought defensively with his versatility being able to guard across the board.
Jayden Martin Jayden Martin 6'2" | SG Joliet West | 2023 State IL (Illinois Stars)
Martin is a strong guard that knows how to use his strength to his advantage. Finishes well in the lane through contact and is a solid rebounder for his position. Joliet West guard is a productive player!
Tyler Van Gorp Tyler Van Gorp 6'10" | C New Trier | 2023 State IL (Hoops 4 Health)
TVG is all upside at 6’10” with a super thin frame and arms that go on for days. He looked much more fluid around the hoop than the mechanical player we saw in the fall. Played with confidence around hoop making aggressive moves for scores including some big dunks. Also stretched it out to three on one occasion. Shot blocking presence who has timing and feel on that end. Only thing holding him back right now is strength.
Jackson Niego Jackson Niego 6'0" | PG Lyons Township | 2023 State IL (Chicago Lockdown)
Niego was the talk of the other gym with the way he played for Lockdown’s 16U squad. The Lyons Township point guard averaged 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 dimes while leading his team to a 4-0 record. Looking forward to seeing more of him in KC this weekend!