AAU is over for high schoolers, so we’re releasing awards for the month of July. These are only based on the summer AAU season games. For this set of awards, we are grouping players by graduating class, even if they played up a level.
All-Summer Top Performer Teams
1st Team
Ahmad Henderson (5’11 PG, Brother Rice/Young & Reckless)
Henderson led a deep Y&R team with his explosive scoring, high-IQ facilitating, and fearlessness. He made the game easy for his teammates and proved why so many D1 programs were after him. Henderson just committed to Niagara earlier today.
Bobby Durkin (6’7 SG, Glenard West & IMG Academy/Breakaway)
One of the most skilled players in the UAA in July, Durkin was able to showcase his creativity and shot making ability on a big stage. He picked up mid and high major looks on his way to leading Breakaway to the UAA Invitational championship.
Brock Harding (6’0 PG, Moline/MidPro)
Orchestrating for one of the most dominant 17U groups in Illinois, Harding was able to get everyone involved while picking his spots to get his own shots. The Iowa commit put his vision and floor general skills on full display.
Dalen Davis (6’0 PG, Whitney Young/Meanstreets)
Davis put together a huge month as the catalyst for a nice run in the EYBL for Meanstreets. Physically and mentally tough with advanced feel for the game, Davis contributed across the board while leading a team full of Division 1 talent in scoring.
Owen Freeman (6’11 C, Moline/MidPro)
Big men aren’t supposed to be as mobile and skilled as Freeman. Even against top competition, his low post footwork, ability to make plays as a short roll option, and impact on the glass stood out. Another Iowa commit with a bright future.
2nd Team
Asa Thomas (6’7 SG, Lake Forest/Illinois Wolves)
The Clemson commit looked terrific all month as both a shooter and all-around scorer. He rebounded and passed it well during the UAA events as well. Thomas was playing his best basketball by the end of the summer.
Cam Christie (6’6 SG, Rolling Meadows/Illinois Wolves)
A mid-range master that has an ease about the way he scores, Christie delivered in multiple areas. Some games he went for 20+, other games he was an impactful playmaker that took on tough defensive assignments. Minnesota commit.
Nik Polonowski (6’6 SG, Lyons/Breakaway)
Polonowski played at a consistently high level all month, shooting the ball at a good clip, finishing through contact, and shining on the defensive end as a wing stopper. He continues to pull in Division 1 offers following his performances at the UAA events in front of coaches.
Jake Fiegen (6’3 SG, New Trier/Full Package)
You can’t say enough about Fiegen’s competitiveness on both ends. He guards, rebounds in traffic, and runs the floor. He’s also one of the best shooters in the Midwest who gave Full Package consistent 20-point showings. Mid-major level recruit.
Xavier Sulaiman (6’3 SG, Oak Lawn/Hoops4Health)
Sulaiman had one of the biggest breakout months, showing undeniable athleticism, finishing ability, and defensive promise. The Oak Lawn guard really pressured the ball and scored in bulk from three levels.
3rd Team
Brayden Fagbemi (6’0 PG, Benet/Illinois Attack)
Putting together another good month, Fagbemi brought the Attack deep into multiple tournaments and displayed a ton of poise with the ball in his hands. He has that combination of speed and controlled pace that makes it difficult to stay in front and can shoot it off the dribble. Should be a priority lead guard recruit for high academics after this summer.
Darrion Baker (6’8 SF/PF, Hillcrest/Team Rose)
Following a breakout spring, Baker continued to thrive in a starring role for Team Rose. Big, quick, and well-rounded, Baker was affecting games on both ends with his shot-blocking, switchability, and inside-out offensive game. Mid-major looks have continued to flow in.
Kaiden Space (6’0 PG, Simeon/Young & Reckless)
Space djd what it took to win; whether that was playmaking, moving off the ball to get shots, defending, or rebounding. Oftentimes he did all of the above. The new Simeon guard played with competitive spirit and should have cemented himself as a D1 guard prospect.
Quentin Jones (6’5 SG, Marian Catholic/Team FVV)
Jones has blossomed in a matter of months, having a big July as a two-way wing. His mid-range stop-and-pop game was effective, he shot the three better, and was a problem to cover in the open floor. Another player who has picked up additional offers in July.
Ty Pence (6’6 SG, St. Joseph-Ogden/MidPro)
The Illinois State commit was a showtime finisher and nice wing scorer for MidPro. He used his size very well to shoot over smaller defenders or go to the block to score. An underrated defender, Pence also showed positional versatility and quickness as a help side defender.
Honorable Mention All-Summer Top Performers:
Andrew Soenksen (6’8 PF, Plainfield East/Illinois T-Wolves)
Arius Alijosius (6’4 SG, Riverside Brookfield/Breakaway)
Brady Kunka (6’3 SG, Benet/Illinois Attack)
Bryce Coleman (6’7 SF, Notre Dame College Prep/Illinois Stars)
Bryce Shoto (5’9 PG, Oswego East/Illinois Flight)
Cade Hawkins (5’11 PG, Carterville/Illinois Bears)
Collin Wainscott (6’2 PG, Marmion/Illinois Stars)
Connor Mosele (6’4 SG, Notre Dame College Prep/Team GPA)
Danny Stephens (6’7 SF, Augusta Southeastern/MidPro)
DeAndre Craig (6’1 PG, Mount Carmel/Team FVV)
Drew Scharnowski (6’8 SG/SF, Burlington Central/Breakaway)
EJ Marshall (6’0 PG, Montini/Illinois Jaguars)
Ethan Kizer (6’7 SF, Metamora/MidPro
Jabe Haith (6’3 SG, Marmion/M14)
Jackson Niego (6’0 PG, Lyons/Chicago Lockdown)
Jackson Kotecki (6’9 PF, St. Ignatius/Fundamental U)
Jeremy Harrington (6’6 PF, Curie/Team Rose)
Macaleab Rich (6’7 SF/PF, East St. Louis/Southwest Jets)
Mark Nikolich-Wilson (6’7 C, Rolling Meadows/Full Package)
Mason Funk (6’5 SF, U-High/Illinois Predators)
Matas Castillo (6’0 PG, Lemont/Full Package)
Matt Moore (6’9 PF, Joliet West/Chicago Lockdown)
Mekhi Cooper (6’1 PG, Bolingbrook/Illinois Flight)
Mekhi Lowery (6’6 SG, Oswego East/Young & Reckless)
Miles Rubin (6’9 PF, Simeon/Meanstreets)
Niko Abusara (6’5 SG, Benet/Team FVV)
Rich Barron (6’5 SG, St. Ignatius/Meanstreets)
Rokas Castillo (6’0 PG, Lemont/Full Package)
Sonny Williams (6’1 PG, Notre Dame College Prep/Hoops4Health)
Troy Cicero (6’1 PG, Romeoville/Illinois Wolves)
All-Defensive First Team
Drew Scharnowksi (6’8 SG/SF, Burlington Central/Breakaway)
Mekhi Lowery (6’6 SG, Oswego East/Young & Reckless)
Prince Adams (6’5 PF, Evanston/Young & Reckless)
Troy Cicero (6’1 PG, Romeoville/Illinois Wolves)
Zack Hawkinson (6’5 SF, Sacred Heart Griffin/MidPro)
All-Defensive Second Team
Matt Moore (6’9 PF, Joliet West/Chicago Lockdown)
Miles Rubin (6’9 PF, Simeon/Meanstreets)
Nik Polonowski (6’6 SG, Lyons/Breakaway)
Niko Abusara (6’5 SG, Benet/Team FVV)
Tyler Van Gorp (6’11 C, New Trier/Hoops4Health)
Honorable Mention All-Defense:
Deonte Cunningham (6’2 SG, Romeoville/Illinois Flight)
Jackson Niego (6’0 PG, Lyons/Chicago Lockdown)
Jackson Kotecki (6’9 PF, St. Ignatius/Fundamental U)
Jake Fiegen (6’3 SG, New Trier/Full Package)
Jimmy Rasmussen (6’1 PG, Geneva/M14)
Kyle Olagbegi (6’6 PF, Lincoln-Way East/Illinois T-Wolves)
Michael Ratliff (6’0 PG, Simeon/Team Rose)
Quentin Jones (6’5 SG, Marian Catholic/Team FVV)
Sonny Williams (6’1 PG, Notre Dame College Prep/Hoops4Health)
Trevon Roots (6’6 PF, Marmion/Brooktown Force)
Top Shooters
Ahmad Henderson (5’11 PG, Brother Rice/Young & Reckless)
Arius Alijosius (6’4 SG, Riverside Brookfield/Breakaway)
Asa Thomas (6’7 SG, Lake Forest/Illinois Wolves)
Bobby Durkin (6’7 SG, Glenbard West & IMG Academy/Breakaway)
Caden Hawkins (5’11 PG, Carterville/Illinois Bears)
Connor Mosele (6’4 SG, Notre Dame College Prep/Team GPA)
Collin Wainscott (6’2 PG, Marmion/Illinois Stars)
Jake Fiegen (6’3 SG, New Trier/Full Package)
Rich Barron (6’5 SG, St. Ignatius/Meanstreets)
Ryan Cohen (6’4 SG, Glenbrook North/Illinois Wolves)
Top Playmakers
Ahmad Henderson (5’11 PG, Brother Rice/Young & Reckless)
Bobby Durkin (6’7 SG, Glenbard West & IMG Academy/Breakaway)
Brayden Fagbemi (6’0 PG, Benet/Illinois Attack)
Brock Harding (6’0 PG, Moline/MidPro)
Dalen Davis (6’0 PG, Whitney Young/Meanstreets)
DeAndre Craig (6’1 PG, Mount Carmel/Team FVV)
Jackson Niego (6’0 PG, Lyons/Chicago Lockdown)
Jalen Griffith (5’9 PG, Simeon/Team Rose)
Mekhi Lowery (6’6 SG, Oswego East/Young & Reckless)
Ryan Duncan (6’3 PG, Wilbraham & Monson/Fundamental U)
Top Rebounders
Aaron Brown (6’5 SF/PF, Romeoville/M14)
George Bellevue (6’5 SF/PF, Lincoln Way East/Fundamental U)
Jeremy Harrington (6’6 PF, Curie/Team Rose)
Macaleab Rich (6’7 SF/PF, East St. Louis/Southwest Jets)
Matt Moore (6’9 PF, Joliet West/Chicago Lockdown)
Miles Rubin (6’9 PF, Simeon/Meanstreets)
Owen Freeman (6’11 C, Moline/MidPro)
Tyler Franklin (6’6 PF, Cobden/Illinois Bears)
Tyler Jasek (6’6 PF, Oswego East/M14)
Tyler Van Gorp (6’11 C, New Trier/Hoops4Health)