Stagg Shootout Top Performers
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This was my second year kicking off June high school summer season at Stagg High School. I was able to catch a few games that had Prep Hoops Illinois top rated players from different classes. Here are the standouts from…
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Continue ReadingThis was my second year kicking off June high school summer season at Stagg High School. I was able to catch a few games that had Prep Hoops Illinois top rated players from different classes. Here are the standouts from Fridays games!
Owen Freeman
Owen
Freeman
6'10" | C
Moline | 2023
State
#179
Nation
IL
(2023) Bradley Bourbonnais
Freeman definitely looked the part of high major prospect. His first play was a pass fake from the mid-post, one dribble, and dunk. Owen showed spurts of dominance early on. He has great footwork in the paint on post opportunities. Freeman has good touch and finishes well using both hands. When on the perimeter he took a few shots from three but primarily took advantage of his size advantage making plays at the bucket quite often. On defense he blocked several shots and he even chased down two shots Lebron style in transition. There wasn’t much Freeman couldn’t do at 6’10” as he runs the court like a wing player. With two years left in high school there is a reason Power 5 schools are all over this prospect.
Nojus Indrusaitis Nojus Indrusaitis 6'5" | SG Brewster Academy | 2024 State #79 Nation NLG (2024) Lemont
To some Nojus is still unknown but next season quite similar to Freeman the state of Illinois will know this talented freshman. Indrusaitis was 20+ point scorer as a freshman and he gets it done in various ways. With a solid handle he can beat guys off the dribble in either direction finishing with strong plays at the rim. Nojus’ hard drives keeps defenders off balance and he is able to maneuver around guys for buckets. If teams back off him some he will knock shots down. He has a notable advance IQ for a young talent wing. Indrusaitis picks up the game very easily and doesn’t back down from a challenge. He took the task to try and slow down Owen Freeman Owen Freeman 6'10" | C Moline | 2023 State #179 Nation IL and he was successful in most of the exchanges. By the time this kid is a senior I see double digit offers from mid major plus programs.
Bryce Tillery Bryce Tillery 5'7" | PG Hillcrest | 2023 State IL (2023) Hillcrest
Tillery had a good showing for the new look Hillcrest squad. With most of the players graduating or transferring Bryce didn’t waver from looking like the new leader of the Hawks. He started with two three pointers and then got to show he wasn’t going to just shoot from the perimeter Tillery drove and took smaller guards off the dribble & scored over them. When he didn’t have any scoring opportunities Bryce fed his teammates in the flow of the game looking much Improved in the passing department. Tillery is known in the south suburbs as a good defensive player and he added to that by getting good position and snatching a few rebounds pushing it right into transition. Even in an overtime loss we know who is the new go to player for Hillcrest
Khalil Ross Khalil Ross 6'6" | SF Brother Rice | 2023 State IL (2023) Lincoln Way East
Khalil had a productive day. Ross has always had the tools to be a college prospect. Friday he was able to show his skill set consistently. Khalil looked good making pull up jumpers when smaller defenders switched to him. Showing good touch on his shot he made several from mid-range and didn’t get caught up in searching for shots from the three point line. Ross made two eye opening plays from the wing where he drove middle of the lane and dunked with guys thinking twice about challenging him. This is the aggressive side Khalil has to show more that will draw attention from many schools. When playing defense Ross changes shots regularly and does a good job rebounding outside of his area.
Xavier Sulaiman Xavier Sulaiman 6'3" | SG Oak Lawn | 2023 State IL (2023) Marist
This was my first look at Xavier since the fall open runs. He started strong making two threes which was followed by a strong baseline drive and then a steal from playing the passing lanes as he dunked it. Sulaiman is a next level athlete that has definitely been in the gym working on his shot. His continuous energy is always a factor as he covers a lot of ground on the defensive side. Xavier seemed to always be around the ball on offense and defense. He will be a coveted player especially when he adds a mid-range jump shot to his arsenal.
Tavari Johnson Tavari Johnson 6'0" | PG Lyons Township | 2022 State #171 Nation IL (2022) Lyons
Johnson has seen his stock continue to soar from being unknown just over a year ago. Friday was no different as he made a few three pointers to start off. Tavari then made several pinpoint passes to his teammates in the flow of the offense. He is an excellent passer and at times in the game it seemed effortless. Tavari also made a couple plays on defense by using his length to deflect passes and turn them into transition baskets. The next two months will be very big for Johnson