We released the 17U summer awards earlier this week. There were a number of deep and talented Illinois teams at the 16U level, but here are the awards for the 2024 players in the month of July.
All-Summer Top Performer Teams:
1st Team
Cole Certa (6’5 SG, Bloomington Central Catholic/Illinois/Wolves)
Certa had a huge month shooting the ball from the perimeter, making multiple threes in every game I saw. But he filled it up from other parts of the floor and found his way to the foul line as well. Certa has emerged as a priority mid-major recruit.
Cooper Koch (6’9 SF/PF, Peoria Notre Dame/Indiana Elite)
On the top team on the Adidas circuit, Koch’s combination of spot-up shooting, post prowess, and passing shined. The Iowa commit was a difference maker on and off the ball and aided Indiana Elite as a quality positional defender at 6-foot-9.
Jason Jakstys (6’9 PF, Yorkville/Paradise)
The upside is evident for the long, active, athletic four man. Jakstys led Paradise to their Prep Hoops region title with impressive shot blocking instincts, interior passing, and consistently efficient production from 15 feet and in. He’s one of the best players in the 2024 class without a Division 1 offer.
Nojus Indrusaitis (6’5 SG, St. Rita/Meanstreets)
The game has started to look easy for Indrusaitis, scoring from three levels off the dribble and making opposing wings struggle to get clean looks. He helped fuel a deep run for Meanstreets in the EYBL. High-major recruit that is the best all-around scorer in the state.
Morez Johnson (6’9 PF, St. Rita/Meanstreets)
The Illinois commit was flat out dominant on both ends. Controlling the paint as a rim protector and aggressive finisher, Johnson’s motor never turned off. His perimeter skill continues to develop with solid shooting outputs with his attempts. He’s got pro potential.
2nd Team
Braeden Carlsen (6’3 SG, Wauconda/Fundamental U)
A knockdown shooter, heady cutter, and excellent rebounder at guard, Carlsen was a prime do-it-all player for Fundamental U. He showed activity off the ball and some one-on-one scoring tools that you look for in a two guard. Rock solid defender with a high-IQ. Carlsen is still underrecruited but he has Division 1 traits.
Jack Stanton (6’2 PG, Downers Grove North/Breakaway)
Stanton tore apart competition all summer and shined as both a marksman and leader. With a dynamic stop-and-pop game and ideal change of pace, he created offense well. Showed tenacity and laterally quickness as an on-ball defender. Now at 6-foot-2, I could see Ivy League and low-major programs targeting him.
James Brown (6’10 C, St. Rita/Meanstreets)
Another big-time St. Rita junior who produced, Brown got looks off of rolls, putbacks, and drop offs that led to powerful dunks. Scores it inside with both hands and has good hands and timing. Brown is being targeted by blue bloods and still looks like he has another level of explosiveness that he is unlocking.
Luke Kinkade (6’1 SG, Neuqua Valley/Paradise)
Steady and fearless as a scorer, Kinkade was lights out for a terrific Paradise team. He operated well off of pindowns and put it on the ground to get his own shot. Kinkade’s shooting ability separated him.
Meyoh Swansey (6’2 PG/SG, Romeoville/Illinois Flight)
Playing up with the 17U team, Swansey was one of the better mid-range scorers I saw. He’s a smooth ball-handler with a good first step to get defenders off balance. His stock should continue to rise heading into his junior year.
3rd Team
Jack Dabbs (6’5 SG/SF, Stevenson/All-In)
A constant 20-point threat, Dabbs used his size and soft touch to score in traffic, hit pull-ups over defenders, or make catch-and-shoot threes. The Stevenson wing is a volume rebounder as well. Look for Dabbs to have a breakout high school season.
Jaylan McElroy (6’7 SF, DePaul Prep/Illinois Wolves)
McElroy is one of the most versatile wings in the state regardless of class and proved that in July. He’s a willing and sound passer, good slasher and cutter, and a game-changing defender that switched across all five positions. What really stood out this month was his assertiveness as a scorer, looking to get downhill and catching looking to shoot. Another Division 1 prospect who will continue to blossom.
Nate Kasher (6’0 PG, Glenbrook South/Fundamental U)
Kasher is a certified sniper that played with confidence and poise in July. His range is a few steps behind the volleyball line, but he’s a lot more than just a spot shooter. Kasher knows how to move off the ball to get looks and gave Fundamental U a quality backcourt defender. There’s no question that he’s among the ten best shooters regardless of class.
Nick Taylor (6’7 SF/PF, Glenbrook South/Fundamental U)
Taylor controlled games with his high energy and toughness. He used his strong frame to score through contact and displayed pogo stick bounce around the paint all summer. The lefty didn’t take a ton of threes but made his looks while rebounding and defending at a high level. Another GBS player who will open eyes this year.
Tavariyuan Williams (6’6 SG, Leo/Team FVV)
The potential has always been there, but Williams started to put it all together this summer. He’s a gifted wing scorer that used his long strides and creativity to manufacture shots. On the other end, he got plenty of steals and deflections to give FVV some easy transition opportunities. Williams is next up at Leo.
Honorable Mention All-Summer Top Performers:
AJ LeVine (6’0 PG, York/Big 3)
Angelo Ciaravino (6’6 SG, Mount Carmel/Illinois Wolves)
Braylon Roman (6’3 PG, Normal/MidPro
Bryce Salek (6’4 SF, Yorkville Christian/Paradise)
Cale Cosme (5’5 PG, Brother Rice/ET21)
Calvin Robbins (6’5 PF, Kenwood/Mac Irvin)
Cam Cerese (6’2 PG/SG, Lake Park/Team GPA)
Camden Brown (6’5 PG/SG, Quincy/MidPro)
Chris Riddle (6’6 SG/SF, Kenwood/Mac Irvin)
Cole Arl (5’10 PG, Naperville North/My Journey)
Connor May (6’7 SF, Palatine/Breakaway)
DeKwon Brown (6’3 PG, Peoria/Team FVV)
DJ Strong (5’10 PG, Bolingbrook/Illinois Flight)
Drelyn Jones (6’2 G, Leyden/Chicago Lockdown)
Eoin Dillon (6’8 PF, Peoria Notre Dame/MidPro)
Evan Barlow (6’4 SG/SF, Morton/Illinois Flight)
Gianni Cobb (5’11 PG, Perspectives/Young & Reckless)
Isaiah Green (6’0 PG/SG, Hillcrest/Meanstreets)
Jaheem Webber (6’9 C, Normal/Illinois Wolves)
Jake Riemer (6’7 PF, Downers Grove North/Breakaway)
Jory Boley (6’4 SF/PF, Yorkville/Illinois Flight)
Josh Aniceto (5’10 PG, Bolingbrook/Paradise)
Joshua Pickett (6’5 PG/SG, West Aurora/Mac Irvin)
Justus McNair (6’2 SG, Joliet West/Young & Reckless)
Kelton McEwen (6’0 PG, Bartlett/Illinois Wolves)
Liam Taylor (6’7 SF/PF, Lyons/Big 3)
Malachi Johnson (6’3 SG, Rockford Guilford/Team GPA)
Mike Jones (6’6 PF, Rockford Auburn/Team Rose)
Thon Bill (6’8 PF, Timothy Christian/ET21)
Tristan Ford (6’2 PG, Rockford Boylan/Team Rose)
Zavier Fitch (6’7 SF/PF, Young & Reckless)
All-Defensive First Team
Calvin Robbins (6’5 PF, Kenwood/Mac Irvin)
Jason Jakstys (6’9 PF, Yorkville/Paradise)
Jaylan McElroy (6’7 SF, DePaul Prep/Illinois Wolves)
JJ Hernandez (6’5 SF, Glenbard North/Young & Reckless)
Morez Johnson (6’9 PF, St. Rita/Meanstreets)
All-Defensive Second Team
Jaden Smith (6’11 PF/C, Kenwood/Mac Irvin)
James Brown (6’10 C, St. Rita/Meanstreets)
Patrick Schaller (6’6 PF, Glenbrook North/Fundamental U)
Sam Lappin (6’0 Glenbrook North/All-In)
Talen Pearson (6’5 SG, Nazareth/Breakaway)
Honorable Mention All-Defense:
Braylon Roman (6’3 PG, Normal/MidPro)
Marcus Everhart (6’5 PF, Marian Catholic/Team GPA)
Mike Jones (6’6 PF, Rockford Auburn/Team Rose)
Nick Taylor (6’7 PF, Glenbrook South/Fundamental U)
Thon Bill (6’8 PF, Timothy Christian/ET21)
Top Shooters
Cole Certa (6’5 SG, Bloomington Central Catholic/Illinois/Wolves)
Connor May (6’7 SF, Palatine/Breakaway)
Cooper Koch (6’9 SF/PF, Peoria Notre Dame/Indiana Elite)
Nate Kasher (6’0 PG, Glenbrook South/Fundamental U)
Nojus Indrusaitis (6’5 SG, St. Rita/Meanstreets)
Jack Stanton (6’2 PG, Downers Grove North/Breakaway)
Joshua Pickett (6’5 PG/SG, West Aurora/Mac Irvin)
Kelton McEwen (6’0 PG, Bartlett/Illinois Wolves)
Luke Kinkade (6’1 SG, Neuqua Valley/Paradise)
Mitch Humphrey (6’5 SG, Loyola/Team GPA)
Top Playmakers
AJ LeVine (6’0 PG, York/Big 3)
Brandon Watson (5’9 PG, Evanston/Team GPA)
Braylon Roman (6’3 PG, Normal/MidPro)
Cale Cosme (5’5 PG, Brother Rice/ET21)
Carlos Harris (6’2 SG, Curie/Meanstreets)
DeKwon Brown (6’3 PG, Peoria/Team FVV)
DJ Strong (5’10 PG, Bolingbrook/Illinois Flight)
Gianni Cobb (5’11 PG, Perspectives/Young & Reckless)
Jack Stanton (6’2 PG, Downers Grove North/Breakaway)
Josh Aniceto (5’10 PG, Bolingbrook/Paradise)
Top Rebounders
Calvin Robbins (6’5 PF, Kenwood/Mac Irvin)
Jaheem Webber (6’9 C, Normal/Illinois Wolves)
Jaden Smith (6’11 PF/C, Kenwood/Mac Irvin)
Jake Riemer (6’7 PF, Downers Grove North/Breakaway)
James Brown (6’10 C, St. Rita/Meanstreets)
Mike Jones (6’6 PF, Rockford Auburn/Team Rose)
Morez Johnson (6’9 PF, St. Rita/Meanstreets)
Noah Cleveland (6’8 PF, Normal/Illinois Wolves)
Nick Taylor (6’7 PF, Glenbrook South/Fundamental U)
Patrick Schaller (6’6 PF, Glenbrook North/Fundamental U)