Chicago Elite Classic: Top Performers
The Chicago Elite Classic was held on Saturday at UIC Pavilion. It was a full day of hoops with tons of prospects like always. We will have wall to wall coverage all week. Let’s start with the best performances from…
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Continue ReadingThe Chicago Elite Classic was held on Saturday at UIC Pavilion. It was a full day of hoops with tons of prospects like always. We will have wall to wall coverage all week. Let’s start with the best performances from the day in Chicago Elite Classic: Top Performers!
Damarion Wyatt (North Lawndale – 2023)
Wyatt opened eyes with his play especially in the second half on Saturday. The smaller point guard had some electric moments as North Lawndale hung with national power Vashon to the very end. He shot 5-7 from three in the game. Gets elevation off the ground and plays with a lot of flair to his game. He had 17 points in the win.
Jayden Nicholson (Vashon, MO – 2023)
Nicholson is an angular left handed shooting guard that struggled when we saw him recently at TOC. He was the best player on the floor for Vashon in their win particularly in the first half. Slick driver that was aggressive getting to the rim where he scored with consistency throughout the game. Also hit a mid-range jumper and three, but didn’t settle for it as much as we saw previously. Saw some nice passes from him including wrap arounds in the paint. He had 18 points (7-12 FG), 10 rebounds, and 4 dimes.
Ty Rodgers (Thornton – 2022)
Rodgers stat line might not jump off the paper to you but when you watch him he impacts the game in so many ways. Big and strong forward was great early with his passing as he made several spectacular dishes which led to points. Burst with the ball in his hands and is so tough to contain when he gets a head of steam downhill. Always around the basketball and was a monster on the glass including offensively where he notched 6 offensive rebounds. Illini commit finished with 10 points (4-6 FG), 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals.
Vincent Rainey (Thornton – 2023)
Rainey was a breakout player for Thornton as the junior point guard who was an unknown to us lit up the nets. He scored 19 points in the game including three triples. Brings some athleticism to the table and will be one we will track moving forward.
Jaedin Reyna (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.
Darrin Ames (Kenwood – 2023)
Ames had the best outing of anyone all day. The Kenwood star point guard showed out with an array of high-major head coaches in the front row watching. The lefty made a super strong case to take the top spot that was vacated by his former teammate. Ames was straight money from three going 7-9 from distance in the game. Known more as a volume scorer but he was extremely efficient in this game going 11-16 overall. Mixed in his stellar shooting form deep with slick takes and playing off his defense in transition. Looked the part of a #1 player in a 30 point performance where he also racked up 3 dimes and 4 steals.
Davius Loury (Kenwood – 2023)
Loury was almost as good for Kenwood. The top 5 2023 prospect drained 4-8 from distance. When the face up four is shooting it that well he is about unstoppable to defend. Shot it with confidence and it was nothing but net quite a few times. Also played above the rim with dunks and acrobatic finishes. Was good on the defensive end as well using his strength and length. Went for 20 points (8-12 FG).
Cyr Malonga (Evangel Christian, KY – 2023)
Malonga was the lone bright spot for Evangel Christian. The five man has legit size, strength, and length. Showed mobility on the interior catching lobs, finishing through contact, and swatting shots on the defensive end. Very good area rebounder. He had 13 points (5-9 FG), 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks. High-major junior post.
Wesley Rubin (Simeon – 2023)
Rubin made his debut for the Wolverines and was fantastic. The skilled four man is one of the best passing posts we have had in the state since Cameron Krutwig. Feel for finding cutting teammates for dimes is so much fun to watch. His scoring was on full display as well in this one consistently converting dump off passes from his guards for dunks and even stretched it out to three. Was good on the offensive glass too. He netted 17 points (8-11 FG), 6 rebounds, and 5 dimes. Mid-major prospect.
Miles Rubin (Simeon – 2023)
The other Rubin twin was equally as good in the victory. Different player as he relies more on his quick twitched athleticism in the paint. So explosive finishing in the around the hoop as he was 7-8 from the field for 17 points in just 18 minutes of play. Like his brother he is a mid-major prospect.
Jaylen Drane (Simeon – 2022)
Drane set the tone early for the Wolverines. The Simeon lead guard is the top uncommitted guard in the senior class and the leader of this group. He got others involved getting in the paint and then dishing to his teammates on a regular basis for dunks. Saw some vision stuff we had not previously seen out of him especially in the half court. Finished with 6 points and 6 assists. Worth consideration by low-majors for sure!
Zack Davidson (Mater Dei, CA – 2023)
Davidson stood out for the California squad. The junior power forward was extremely skilled working around the basket. Good positioning and mobility rolling to the hoop for scores. Multi skilled power forward can handle it a little and was so effective making tough shots look easy in the paint going for 25 points (12-22 FG) and 10 rebounds. Needs to be on the mid-major radar!
Xavier Amos (Whitney Young – 2022)
In a game that the Dolphins really struggled it was the top 10 Northern Illinois commit that carried them. Face up four that was relentless driving from the high post over and over again. He was excellent slashing for buckets and didn’t settle for jumpers. Aggressive and assertive moves for buckets going for 28 points (14-19 FG). Monster get to keep him in-state.
Devin Dinkins (Gonzaga – 2022)
Dinkins was a show stopper for Gonzaga on Saturday night. The George Mason commit was electric with the rock changing gears and weaving in between the defense to get what ever he wanted. Plays with a lot of flair and pushes in the open floor. He had 18 points (5-13 FG), 4 rebounds, 5 dimes, and 2 steals.