Chi Town Tip Off: Friday Night Lights

<p>While the Chi-Town Tip Off is a much smaller event than The Stage in Indianapolis from the previous weekend. The field still features a bevy of competitive programs and big name players. Following are five that caught my attention from the opening night of action. <br /> <br /> [player_tooltip player_id="1215311" first="Nikola" last="Abusara"] <b>6-5 2023 Benet (IL) (pictured at top of article) </b>Bouncy wing had a huge game for Full Package in a opening close loss to Illinois Elite. Might of had the finish of the weekend mere moments into the tournament. A big time one handed left handed dunk in heavy traffic had the gym buzzing. Also showed Abusara’s athletic upside. As Illinois Elite stormed back to take the lead late. He kept coming and almost stole it at the end. Hit a deep 3 late to keep his squad in it. Stepped up as the defense adjusted to run a hot shooting [player_tooltip player_id="1215287" first="Jake" last="Fiegen"] off the line. Finished with 12 points and is poised to continue upping his stock with a big weekend. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/93407FBA-7E81-4418-AF51-C3F19A55588A-rotated-crop-2640x1734-1650085373.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1431136" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/93407FBA-7E81-4418-AF51-C3F19A55588A-rotated-crop-2640x1734-1650085373-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a></p> <p><b>De’nairo Paul 6-6 2023 Grand Rapids Union (MI) </b>I first viewed this prospect way back in a Fall scrimmage when he was playing with Grand Rapids Union. I was surprised when I didn’t hear much from him during the regular season. Fast forward five months and he is still the same high upside prospect playing with B3 Athletics. Has a long lean frame that allows him to play both inside and out. Had a nice jumper in the post when a smaller defender was put on him. Showed the ability to use his off hand with high flying left finish on the break. Hit two pressure packed free throws in OT. A real nice start to the weekend for prospect who could use a big spring/summer. I have him listed at Union right now. Informed that he will be playing with Grand Rapids Northview in the upcoming season. If the always unpredictable MHSAA transfer process makes this a go. This could be a good spot for him. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/0A12E356-4A4B-4A6A-9341-6F57279D35DE-rotated-crop-2949x1936-1650085625.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1431141" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/0A12E356-4A4B-4A6A-9341-6F57279D35DE-rotated-crop-2949x1936-1650085625-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1049172" first="Dylan" last="Derda"] 6-6 2023 Mishawaka Penn (IN) </b>At first glance this is classic post evaluation. Skilled needs to add weight… you’ve heard it before. But upon further review this is close to a finished post prospect. Despite having a very skinny frame. Derda plays with strength and a bit of a nasty streak. Establishes deep post position well. Gets low in the post so he doesn’t get pushed off his spot. Had a nice left handed finish off a spin move in the post that showed his soft touch around the basket. Coordinated and ran the floor well for his size. Finished with 12 points in a loss to a good United Persuit squad. A lot to like for a player who looks like he could be a good small college stretch four. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/2E4E5503-2DE7-4AFE-8290-A0F3A089E6AB-rotated.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1255696" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/2E4E5503-2DE7-4AFE-8290-A0F3A089E6AB-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1356947" first="Shane" last="Rykse"] 6-3 2024 Schoolcraft (MI) </b>Your going to have to do a lot top the last time I saw this shooting guard. Rykse is a few weeks removed from winning a state championship. Did what he usually does but it just took little bit. This is the best shooter in the state of Michigan. And I don’t think it’s particularly close. The scouting report seems to have traveled. As Chicago based My Journey 2024 was aggressively running him off the line. Adjusted well by moving into the mid range. Did this by showing improved ball handling. Showed increased strength on his drives by finishing through contact. Played two games back-to-back. Scoring 16 in each one. Icing on the cake was late dunk in the second contest. If he can add dynamic ball handling and athletic finishing to his elite shooting skill set. What you would have is a complete backcourt prospect. </p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1225049" first="Julian" last="Mitchell"] 6-5 2023 Lakota East (OH) </b>Long and bouncy wing had an excellent opening outing for R L 4 in a late Friday night victory. Is a member of the “all airport” team. Meaning has the type of athletic frame that is just made for the game of basketball. Slipped into more of a facilitator role playing with regular season teammate <b>LeBron</b> <b>Bennie</b>-<b>Powell. </b>Long strider who bounds all over the court with ease. Combined with aforementioned length this makes him a plus defender. Was going up against a slightly overmatched opponent on Friday. I’m going to make a point to catch him later this weekend. </p>