I was out in Schaumburg yesterday for a couple of fall league games of the AAYou League featuring a few local teams. Here are some players who stood out.
Alex Georgokas (6’2 SG, Prospect 2023)
Georgokas dominated the first game of the day with his ability to create his own shot. He used his hesitation well to set up drives and was often too athletic for help defenders to affect him in the paint. The 6-foot-2 senior has good strength and finished both through contact and with finesse. In pick-and-roll actions, he hit a couple of threes when defenders went under and probed well around the foul line. It was a well-rounded game for Georgokas, as he also had a number of steals and looked engaged defensively to hound ball-handlers. He is a solid D3 recruit who is still a bit under the radar after a breakout junior year.
Frankie Poshnjari (6’3 SG/SF, Prospect 2024)
A physical wing that loves contact, Poshnjari worked inside and outside as the game progressed. He does a nice job of inverting to post ups against smaller guards, especially off of duck ins where he sealed and got a couple of easy post scores. As a shooter, he had a mid-range pull-up early and connected on a couple of catch-and-shoot threes. Poshnjari should have a big role this upcoming season and will make an impact with his high motor.
Ben Schneider (5’8 PG, Prospect 2025)
One of the younger players on the Prospect team, Schneider handled the ball well in space and showed a lot of energy on the defensive end. On a few occasions, he forced turnovers and got out in transition. Schneider had a layup on a drive in traffic and stopped on a dime for a pull-up jumper. He’s only going to get better and already plays at a pace that will work at the varsity level.
Charlie Gilmer (6’1 SG, Prospect 2023)
Gilmer passed the ball well during the game to set up his teammates. His outlet passes and drive and kicks led to open looks on numerous occasions. Gilmer also showed some touch on a floater, hit a three, and got out in transition for a layup.
Ryan Mbouombouo (6’2 PG/SG, Latin 2024)
Mbouombouo got going early and never looked back. Starting off with a pair of long pull-ups with hands in his face, he forced defenders to get tighter which opened up driving lanes. Mbouombouo is an explosive athlete that has a quick spin move and the focus to make acrobatic finishes in crowds. Even when his drives where cut off, he converted at tough angles around the rim. Mbouombouo also showed good vision as a playmaker once the defense started to collapse. Defensively, he had stretches where he made an impact with his active hands and activity. Mbouombouo is going to be a player to track at Latin.
Ben Person (6’4 SG/SF, Johnsburg 2024)
Person was filling it up and provided steady shot making when needed. He had multiple and-ones off drives and cuts, attacked the rim well going to his left hand, and drilled a couple of threes from behind the college line. His length allowed him to step wide around help defenders to sweep to finishes. Person is still filling out physically and continues to look more confident as a scorer.
Cam Cerese (6’3 PG, Lake Park 2024)
Cerese went off for over 50 points in their game, seemingly scoring at will. There was nothing defenders could do to keep him out of the lane, crossing over players, making quick straight line drives, and using his footwork to create angles when space was limited. Cerese has a number of finishes in his arsenal, hitting floaters, reverse layups off of eurosteps,, and other difficult shots in traffic. During the game, he had to have completed four or five and-ones. The returning Lake Park guard shot it well from the mid-range too when attacking off ball screens or when isolated on the wing. He also mixed in a few threes. It was as dominant of a fall league performance as I’ve seen in a while. Cerese is on track to open a lot of eyes this season.
Tommy Rochford (6’5 PF, Lake Park 2024)
Rochford is the top returning scorer for the Lancers and was efficient with his touches, despite not knocking down threes at his usual rate. The big 6-foot-5 forward scored on a deep seal, had a putback, and did a nice job rebounding in his area. Used more as a stretch four as a sophomore, Rochford also hit a three and a long two off the catch. He will be counted on as a leader for a younger Lancers team and should be a quality inside-out option as he gets into in-season form.
DJ Wallace (6’8 SF/PF, Hoffman Estates 2023)
Wallace continues to flash upside. Rangy and smooth with the ball, Wallace had two effortless dunks in transition off of quick moves to lose defenders. He was downhill often, using his spin move the most before shooting hooks over the top. Wallace has a solid handle at his size with the fluidity that should make him even more dynamic off the dribble as he matures. Even with the defense loading up the paint when he had the ball, he still went for over 20 points. Wallace made a few jumpers, including a hesitation three as well. He passes it well on the move and has good recovery speed on the defensive end to contest shots. Wallace is still refining his game but he has scholarship-level upside.