Chicago Summer Challenge: 2024 Sunday Superlatives
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After some Chicago traffic got the best of me Saturday night. I’m combining my usual Saturday superlative column into a Sunday cumulative addition. All tournament teams for the 2024 class should be going up tomorrow. Best Scorer Logan Rindfleisch Logan…
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Continue ReadingAfter some Chicago traffic got the best of me Saturday night. I’m combining my usual Saturday superlative column into a Sunday cumulative addition. All tournament teams for the 2024 class should be going up tomorrow.
Best Scorer
Logan Rindfleisch
Logan
Rindfleisch
6'5" | SF
Wisconsin Lutheran | 2024
State
WI
6-5 Wisconsin Lutheran (WI) (pictured at top of article) Could have went with a wide variety of descriptions with this prospect. Versatile would have worked as he did it all for his Closed Gyms squad. Toughness would have worked as he played Sunday after receiving stitches late Saturday night. I’m going to go with the catch all of scorer. Scored efficiently from both the post and the perimeter. Standout game was a Sunday overtime loss to a real good Full Package (IL) squad. Put his team on his back. Show excellent footwork with plenty of old school post moves. Has a strong base and keeps his balance amidst all the spins and pivots. Not blur but runs the court well for his size. He can work on the quickness of his release and overall athleticism. But I’m sure that will come. This is a very seasoned young prospect.
Best Floor General/Leader
KJ Lamonte 6-2 Davenport North (IA) This spot is usually reserved for a pure point guard. But when you lead your team to a perfect 5-0 record on the weekend we can make an exception for a two guard. Lamonte has an advanced and mature game that is readily noticeable from the opening tip. I would almost label him a power guard as he has a mature and solid build. Accordingly penetrates hard and absorbs contact like a running back. Defenders just seem to bounce off. Now I don’t want to paint a picture of a tank like basketball player. He is a very fluid athlete and can play easily above the rim. Leader on both ends of the court. Competes hard defensively and used quick hands to get his fair share of steals and blocked shots. As the record shows. The entire Quad City Shocker team was impressive. Lamonte was their leader.
Best Shooter
Shane Rykse 6-2 Schoolcraft (MI) This Michigan shooter gets the nod with a few bonus points for doing it at two levels on the weekend. On Saturday shot well in the face of some heavy pressure against a very good Illinois Hoopstars squad. Hit three deep ones in a row as his United Persuit squad attempted to mount a comeback. Kept it going on Sunday as he slid up to the 2022 squad. Showed his maturity in this contest by doing it more in the mid range. A little out of necessity as he was going against bigger defenders and primarily playing the three. Ryske showed it doesn’t matter what age group or position he is playing. He is a pure legit marksman.
Best Ball Handler/Passer
Jaquan Johnson Jaquan Johnson 5'10" | PG Pius XI | 2024 State WI 5-9 Pius XI (WI) One of the first players I saw on the weekend. That performance of superb passing and ball handling held serve the entire tournament. Low center of gravity and strength make him virtually turnover proof. You’re going to need to lock in defensively if you want to take it from him. A crafty and flashy passer with next level court vision as well. I would encourage you to read my Friday report if you would like more. I also have a pretty good feeling he’ll show up on the all tournament team somewhere.
Best Post
James Brown James Brown 6'9" | C Link Academy (from Chicago) | 2024 #66 Nation MO 6-8 St Rita (IL) There were a lot of good post prospects in this stacked field. But I can’t in good conscience give this to anyone else. A truly special national prospect who you will hearing about for years to come. What stood out on Sunday was the lane agility. If Brown caught it in the deep in the post. No matter the position. He could contort his body in some way to not only get his shot up. But often finish with a two handed flush. Just a truly unique and advanced skill. Runs the court like a gazelle and often beat his opponent down the court. It’s a common name but an uncommon game. Catch him this summer while you can.