Chicago Elite Classic: 2024 & 2025 Evaluations
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The Chicago Elite Classic was held this past weekend. The event featured many of the top players from the Chicagoland area. Time to breakdown what we saw from a scouting perspective. Here is Chicago Elite Classic: 2024 & 2025 Evaluations!…
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Continue ReadingThe Chicago Elite Classic was held this past weekend. The event featured many of the top players from the Chicagoland area. Time to breakdown what we saw from a scouting perspective. Here is Chicago Elite Classic: 2024 & 2025 Evaluations!
Jaedin Reyna Jaedin Reyna 6'0" | PG Bishop Noll | 2024 State IN (St. Rita – 2024)
Reyna was the most consistent performer for St. Rita in their loss to Thornton. He had a solid all-around game knocking in an array of mid-range jumpers and a couple threes. Also had his float game on display. Heady guard that gets where he wants on the floor and showed again he can score when asked notching 17 points (6-14 FG). High-major prospect.
James Brown James Brown 6'9" | C Link Academy (from Chicago) | 2024 #66 Nation MO (St. Rita – 2024)
Brown sets at the top of the class of 2024 rankings. The big man is a strong five man with superb skill. Caught a lob and used excellent footwork in the paint. He has a feel for scoring on the block and runs the floor well for his size. Volume rebounder that has a chance to be special on the glass. Went for 9 points (3-5 FG) and 6 rebounds.
Morez Johnson Morez Johnson 6'9" | PF Thornton | 2024 State #33 Nation IL (St Rita – 2024)
Johnson is coming off a phenomenal week at the TOC where he looked like a no doubt 5-star prospect. Wasn’t quite at that level against his future teammate at Illinois in Ty Rodgers, but still showed quite a few intriguing qualities. Johnson is so explosive in the paint with his quickness and athleticism to go along with his frame. He struggled with some turnovers in this game. Went for 8 points (4-7 FG) and 9 rebounds.
Melvin Bell (St. Rita – 2025)
Quiet game for the contender for #1 in 2025. He was magnificent at the TOC a couple weeks back. Bell wasn’t super assertive as he had a transition dunk and a pair of free throws for his only four points of the game. Also contributed 3 rebounds. Looks the part of a high-major prospect already and didn’t look out of place on a college court with other big time players.
Bryce Heard (Kenwood – 2025)
Heard is the other prime contender for the top ranking in 2025. He played 23 minutes in Kenwood’s blowout victory. Only scored two points on 1-5 shooting. We saw some little things that we liked including flying around on the defensive end, sharing the ball, and playing with poise when it wasn’t all about scoring. No doubt high-major player.