Chi-Town TipOff: Standout 15U Bigs Pt 1
We’ve given the guards their due, now we look at some of the 15U forwards and centers from action during last weekend’s Chi-Town TipOff at the former Berto Center (in no particular order): Cam Lathos | 6-4 | Big 3…
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Continue ReadingWe’ve given the guards their due, now we look at some of the 15U forwards and centers from action during last weekend’s Chi-Town TipOff at the former Berto Center (in no particular order):
Cam Lathos | 6-4 | Big 3 Basketball
Nice, soft shooting touch all the way out top the arc, soft hands on the catch, showed some nice agility and was a scrapper on the boards.
Alex Daniels | 6-3 | All in Athletics Rodell Blue
Lean and quick, smart mover without the ball finding good positions to catch and score, went after it hard on every possession at both ends, another excellent rebounder.
Gage Steindinger | 6-4 | Illlinois HoopStars Williams
Very good athlete who was relentless on the boards at both ends, stationed himself down low like a true post man, sought the ball and worked hard to fight for position, once he got it down low he was a creative and strong finisher, teamed with Kessler Collins to make a hard-working, skilled duo inside.
Jaylene Simmons | 6-3 | Capital City Team Work
Big body but much quicker and agile than he appeared, showed off pretty good feet and a was a sure-fire bucket when he caught it in close, scored through contact (21 pts against Illinois TWolves Saturday) and put in the work on the glass, teamed near the basket with the athletic Anthony Williams for devastating 1-2 punch.
Liam Hatfield | 6-5 | Capital City Team Work
The modern stretch-4 embodiment in the Dirk Nowitzki mold, had 22 impressive pts Saturday against Illinois TWolves with a potent combo of long-range 3’s, clever drives into the teeth, and putbacks off the glass.
JJ Hernandez JJ Hernandez 6'6" | PF Glenbard North | 2024 State IL | 6-4 | Team Swish
One of the elite athletes on hand at Berto Center, there wasn’t much on a basketball court he couldn’t do, erased shots with explosive lift, finished in close with sticky hands, got J’s to drop both in the mid-range and even stepped out from 3 later in the tournament, the full package and a D1-level prospect for sure.
Richard Lindsey | 6-3 | Team Swish (pictured above)
As impactful a downhill scorer as I saw with his strong frame and intense motor, playing alongside Hernandez they made for a formidable combo as Lindsey adds a bullish element to Hernandez’s smooth gliding, just so tough to handle when he gets a head of steam to the basket and was explosive off the deck as well.
Nick Taylor | 6-4 | All in Athletics Rodell Black
Had an impressive do-it-all showing against IBA Illinois Stars Saturday, knocked down 3’s, dominated on the glass, finished in close and gracefully off the break, showed great defensive instincts both near the basket and guarding the perimeter, he was quite simply, bigger, stronger and faster than many of his opponents and the good-looking athlete showed off that advantage.
Antoine Thomas | 6-2 | All in Athletics Rodel Black
Lots of length and springiness, his work-rate paid off with tough finishes through traffic and lots of positive work on the glass, gets up and down the floor like a true rim runner, he even stepped out from 3 on Saturday and led the fast break as well, another athletic forward to watch.