We had our fall showcase camp over the weekend with 20 uncommitted seniors playing in the first group. The camp consistent of drills, some live half court work, and scrimmages. We will post the evaluations of the 2025/2026 group later, but here are the

Bryce Salek (6’5 SG/SF, Yorkville)

Athleticism and effort are Salek’s calling cards. He was all over the glass during the scrimmages, going up and high pointing missed shots. Although he can be streaky at times from the perimeter, Salek connected on some threes throughout drills and live segments with form that looks more than able to translate to the college three-point line.

He’s got good instincts in one-on-one defense and has the physical strength to switch across positions as he showed in an event that had a lot of ball-handlers. He passes the eye test but also has more to offer than his highlight-reel athletic ability. One of a number of high-academic players at the event, he should be seeing plenty of high-level D3 looks.

Bryce Welch (6’2 PG/SG, Naperville North)

Welch was aggressive from the jump. A nice start-and-stop ball-handler with good speed, he was able to get defenders on their heels and pick his driving lanes early on. The Naperville North guard made crafty finishes inside with both hands, often making the right reads to evade shot blockers either by using his inside hand or going up off two and shielding off defenders.

His high-arcing three-point shot fell on a few occasions from the wing and should be an asset that opens up his game as he moves on to college. Welch also made some timely passes after absorbing help. Division 3 coaches will continue to pursue the speedy combo guard and I wouldn’t be surprised if some D2s kept an eye on him.

Connor Williams (6’2 PG/SG, Stagg)

About as rock-solid of a guard as you could ask for, especially at a showcase. Everything was efficient and precise for Williams during drills, getting to his one-to-two dribble pull-up on balance and rising up from three with little wasted motion. I liked how he moved without the ball during the scrimmages to get himself shots. He lost his defenders on multiple box outs to secure second chances and did a nice job of running his lanes on the break.

Over the last few years, he has progressed well as a primary ball-handler, giving him an edge as a 6-foot-2 kid with some strength to use his size on drives. When he played off of two feet, he got separation inside of 15-feet for jumpers and contact finishes. He is still a reliable, productive three-point shooter as well, projected more as a scorer at the college level. Williams guarded the ball well and seems to be in the right spots as a gap defender. He’s already got a few Division 3 looks.

David Hutchinson (6’6 PF, Maine West)

Maine West wasn’t a highly covered team last year, but Hutchinson is a diamond in the rough, particularly for solid D3 programs. Very long and rangy at 6-foot-6, he played inside and out throughout the day. In DHO actions, he took good angles and rolled hard to the rim to catch and finish above the rim. His length is very deceptive, with a nearly 7-foot reach that made dribble-drive players alter their shot or have it sent off of the backboard.

There was good pursuit shown in both transition and coming over from the helpside. On the interior, Hutchinson used that same length to make wide finishes that were not able to be blocked throughout the scrimmages. What I was probably most impressed with was the form on his jump shot. Hutchinson has a pretty fluid outside shot and made some threes in the drills and during 5-on-5. A very intriguing forward with a lot of tools to tap into in college.

Ehi Ogbomo (6’1 PG/SG, Plainfield East)

There were some great athletes at the showcase, but Ogbomo may have been the most explosive. You can’t teach the run-and-jump athleticism that he has when getting to the rim or running out on the wings. He had some big-time dunks for a 6-foot-1 player during the drills and was a terror with his first step to get to the paint during 5-on-5 segments. Ogbomo attacks the top foot of defenders on closeouts very well to get an initial advantage and has a unique ability to both glide to the rim and power up at the same time.

There were a few layups he had that he could have easily punched in. Every athletic player can’t defend effectively, but Ogbomo has both instincts and IQ to sense the rhythm of offensive players and make strategic jumps on the ball. There aren’t five guards better at blocking shots than the Plainfield East product who probably sent back five-plus shots during the day. His off the dribble shooting showed well during scrimmages, with a couple of stepback threes and stop-and-pop looks. Ogbomo is a game-changing athlete who will be a problem at the D3 level, especially as his handle gets cleaner.

Ethan Dabu (5’9 PG, Loyola)

Dabu’s team won the most games during the scrimmages and a part of that was his willingness to get everyone involved and make plays defensively. The ball was always popping around when he was in there, particularly in transition where he threw timely advance passes. Dabu knifed into the lane without any agendas other than to get the best shot possible and that was consistent with his whole team during the day.

When help came, he sprayed it out to the bevvy of shooters and kept driving when the stunts were softer. Dabu is a pass-first PG at heart, but he did make a baseline jumper and hit some shots during the drill work. He sacrificed is body defensively and just didn’t make mistakes on that end. Dabu is undersized but has that scrappiness you love to see. D3 programs will continue to track him.

Hudson Parker (6’0 PG, Wheaton North)

Parker didn’t have a ton of looks during the scrimmages, but that didn’t stop him from making the right basketball play when he had the ball. A smart distributor with court vision, Parker found numerous teammates for shots of their own or for hockey assists. Parker is a solid perimeter scorer as he has shown at Wheaton North and we saw the shooting during the drills.

With good-looking form and the pace and feel for pulling up on the move, there’s good reason to project him being an outside threat in college. Parker will be a player who should repeat as an all-conference player this year.

Ibrahim Elagha (6’1 PG/SG, CPSA)

Elagha did catch an elbow during the scrimmages, but it was while he successfully slid over to take a charge on an aggressive drive. That’s just a microcosm of the competitiveness and desire to win that he showed throughout the camp. Elagha was one of the better communicators and talkers throughout the drills and gave great energy even when he was off of the floor.

The knack for scoring, mainly off of dribble pull-ups, got him a good amount of looks during 5-on-5 that he capitalized on with confidence. Elagha was also a pest defensively who was willing to pressure guys in space. Now at CPSA, Elagha has a chance to be one of the most impactful transfers in 1A/2A.

Jack Speers (6’3 SG, Wheaton North)

Speers had it going from the jump from three and never seemed to cool off during the scrimmages. The Wheaton North guard is a pure three-point shooter with great arc and rotation on his shot, burying shots from out past the college line with regularity. Different traits tend to separate shooters and for Speers, it’s his pre-shot preparation. He relocates well and has a strong base and caught it ready to fire, even when some of the defenders were trying to make him put it on the ground.

A lot of small things that maybe aren’t as flashy were noteworthy to the camp coaches. Speers had a bunch of textbook, rugged boxouts to clear out space for defensive rebounds and was always applying ball pressure regardless of the score of the game. Big, strong guards that can space the floor like Speers are in high demand. He’s in the top-tier of academics and should be a coveted D3 high-academic recruit.

Jacquari Nabb (5’11 PG/SG, Warren)

The award for most charges taken in the showcase goes to Nabb. In fact, he took them on back-to-back possessions, sprinting back after his team turned the ball over to get set and draw them. Nabb is a team-first player who didn’t need a lot of shot attempts to prove valuable during the scrimmages. His voice was heard throughout the 5-on-5 portions defensively calling out actions.

He made his mark with energy plays, from diving for loose balls and fighting for rebounds. Nabb is a solid ball-handler who can finish inside and use some bumps to do so. During drills, he made some pull-ups as well. On any given team, having a player with the enthusiasm and sacrifice that Nabb shows goes a long way.

Jimmy Kania (6’4 SG/SF, Lakes)

Kania has the build that a lot of college coaches look for in wings. He has a good wingspan and a solid frame to take contact. His catch-and-shoot ability flashed during drills on pick-and-pops where he got his feet set and drilled some jumpers. As the live portions got going, Kania feasted in transition by running his lanes and making shots in the traffic.

Kania is kind of a natural three, but he has the athleticism to play a guard spot or play more as a frontcourt player or screener as needed, which will serve him well in college. Straight-line drives were working well, gathering strong to avoid stunters and showing some touch to use the glass. Kania should have a monster senior season for Lakes and should have more Division 3 suitors.

Jory Boley (6’3 SG, Yorkville)

During drills, Boley looked solid making catch-and-shoot threes and getting to his one dribble pull-ups. But once games started, he turned it up and went on a few scoring barrages. When he wanted to get to the rim, he had a couple of different moves to size up guys before putting his head down and going to work with different finishes. Boley welcomes contact and is already built like a player with college-level toughness for a guard.

That was only part of his output though, also displaying that spot-up shooting that is likely going to help him be among the best scorers in the conference this year for Yorkville. He needs a little time and space to get it off, but he has confidence and consistency that will translate. Boley seems like a kid who may actually be a better college player, which says a lot when he could be an all-area selection this year as a senior.

Kelton McEwen (6’2 PG, St. Francis)

McEwen has always been considered an elite shooter, but I don’t think he gets enough credit for being a complete scorer. That was front and center for his team during the scrimmages after shooting it at a high clip during drills. He used a variety of stepbacks, crossovers, and other separation moves to lose defenders and either hit a pure outside shot or set up a drive. Some players may have failed to read the scouting reports we sent out, because McEwen got free for a couple of step in transition threes. Even when defenders, worked to get it out of his hands or force him to spots, he used his handle, which has become a big part of his offensive arsenal, to gain space.

Within the last year, McEwen has added muscle to his frame which made a big different with the way that he attacked the rim. On direct drives, he maintained his path and got up near the rim easily. The ball screen playmaking was on point as well, working out of the sets to attack switches himself or find the right angle to hit teammates. While it’s a little perplexing that more D2 coaches are not involved, McEwen continues to show that he’s a lot more than just a premium outside scorer.

KJ Cathey (5’11 PG, Bolingbrook)

You know, the term “spark plug” doesn’t generally get thrown around at showcases. But that seems like the best way to describe what Cathey did for the entirety of the camp. If there was an offensive player that needed to be slowed down, he picked them up and made them uncomfortable. If there was a scoring drought for his team, he would penetrate and make two-foot decisions inside. There weren’t many down moments for him, even during the drills.

Cathey was focused and played hard on both ends. A lot of his offensive during the scrimmages can at the rim, either via dribble penetration or from cutting hard to open space and completing plays. Though he did also make a corner three and looked comfortable with his pull-up during the drills. He should be a valuable piece to an incredibly deep Bolingbrook backcourt and will probably draw small-college interest.

Kyle Waltz (6’6 SG/SF, York)

Waltz was the standout of the day across both groups. His quickness and footwork for a 6-foot-6 player are uncommon, showing good top-end speed when changing ends and maneuvering in tight spaces when handling the ball. During the drill portion of the camp, Waltz flashed his high-level athletic ability with a number of powerful dunks and dribble pull-ups where he got good elevation. Once live play started, the versatility, competitiveness, and non-stop motor were evident from all of the camp coaches. He was a force on the defensive end, not only as a rim protector, but also in one-on-one situations against athletic, downhill guards. Waltz has impressive lateral movement and mobility to stay in front of guys and displayed the closing speed to erase any mistakes at the rim.

On the offensive end, there’s immense value in how effective he is in different situations. He shot well over 50 percent from three as a trail guy, dribble-drive spacer, and even confidently hitting hesitation pull-ups over contesting hands. His form is repeatable and projects well against longer defenders at the next level. Waltz is a smooth and decisive ball-handler who has some deception off of the bounce to get around initial defenders and make counters when cut off. He had numerous takes to the rim where he made a few quick moves and played through contact inside to score.

Though he projects more as a guard than a big, he made great decisions as a passer out of short roll situations and off of his own penetration. One thing that really stood out was how composed and unshaken he was against aggressive, physical defense. When you add in the high academics, character, and an ideal long-term frame, I’m not sure if I have ever been more confident in an unheralded senior having Division 1 upside this late. A hand injury forced him out of a crucial summer for AAU, but once more coaches see him, it shouldn’t be long before the floodgates open.

Luke Matan (6’5 SG/SF, Geneva)

I thought from start to finish, Matan had one of the better all-around days. Another wing with good size, Matan shot the ball very well during the scrimmages, including some tough ones from long range. He’s got the release point and height to get off looks against other guards and didn’t have problems with some of the other taller perimeter players closing out on him. He doesn’t lack confidence from three, which allowed him to show some shot-making ability that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. Matan’s can get off the ground fairly well around the paint, whether that be for a dunk off of a running start or to bounce back up for second chances.

There is also some appeal there defensively to guard other wings. With his combination of size and anticipation at 6-foot-5, he should be able to at least be a net-positive on that end by getting deflections and contesting shots. I would expect Matan to have an amplified role for Geneva this year after they lost some key pieces to graduation. A lot of the Midwest D3s that recruit the area will likely to intrigued by Matan.

Sam Lappin (5’10 PG, Glenbrook North)

You wouldn’t know that Lappin was among the shorter players at the showcase with the impact that he provided. Lappin is a skilled scorer with the ball and had some of the best ball-handling and footwork during the drills to get into his shots in creative ways. During the scrimmages, he didn’t have as many touches, but that didn’t stop him from guarding the ball at an elite level and making the open looks that he was able to manufacture.

It seems like soccer players always tend to be lockdown defenders, and Lappin id a perfect example. He was staying in front of the ball and forced a couple of turnovers. His perimeter shot and pull-up game are his go-tos on the offensive end. Lappin hit a three during the scrimmages and has the lift in the mid-range needed to make that shot in college. He continues to look like a point guard prospect who will help a D3 college coach add to their wins column.

Tre Himes (6’1 PG/SG, Maine East)

Himes was one of the players at the showcase who made the most of the looks that he got. He’s more naturally inclined to score anyways, but the combo guard was ready to let it fly on kick outs although he is normally more on the ball. That’s always a good sign to see players able to adjust to roles to play with different personnel.

In the half court 5-on-5, he played well out of the actions and got to his spots off of the bounce. Now at Maine East, Himes seems primed to be a piece that moves them in the right direction. In terms of college projection, his shot-making will set him up to attract some Division 3 coaches.

Wes Peavler (5’11 PG, Waubonsie Valley)

Peavler’s ball-handling and playmaking stood out during the event. Normally known as a long-range shooting threat who plays off of his shot, Peavler was willingly collapsing the defense and whipping passes out to shooters. While he did show that shooting prowess on set shots during the drills, there just weren’t a ton of situations where he had clean looks.

Instead of hunting those outside looks, he got inside and made plays for others. I also thought the tenacity that he showed in fighting through screens and trying to get into the air space of scorers was a welcome sight. Peavler has that grit that a college coach looks for in a PG.

Will Sullivan (6’1 PG, Lyons)

Sullivan was playing the pure point guard role throughout the live segments. He was making the extra pass, finding cutters, and playing with his head up. Maybe not always as easy to see as scoring, but he fit into the role that was needed with the other players on the team and did it well.

Sullivan has a good 10-to-15 foot game with pull-ups and floaters that will be useful against bigs at the next level. What will carry with him most is that scrappy, savvy nature of his game to get guys into the right spots, communicate, and make life easier for the guys around him.