There weren’t many local tournaments this weekend, so we tuned in to a few live streams for various tournaments featuring teams from the area. Of the handful of games that we tuned into, there were a few who stood out.
Meanstreets 16U EYBL
Andre Tyler (6’4 PG/SG, Simeon)
Tyler’s defensive impact really stood out the most. He was flying around the court getting tips, a pair of blocks, steals, and constantly making second and third efforts on the ball. Offensively, the rangy combo guard got to the rim well and showed some body control to get layups off around the helpside defenders. He also made a tough turnaround from the mid-range and showed some passing sense. Tyler looked every bit like a future Division 1 guard.
Danny Houlihan (6’4 SG, New Trier)
I don’t think there is a better catch-and-shoot player in the class. Houlihan rattled off multiple threes in the first half alone, using that high lefty stroke in spot up situations. On top of the pure shot-making, Houlihan is an excellent off-ball mover who knows how to run into threes or space away to get into the vision of ball-handlers. He’s got ideal positional length that projects well to a specialist role at the next level. But he’s also got some improving off-the-dribble game that is worth tracking. Continues to trend up.
Gabe Sularski (6’6 SG, Lemont)
Sularski’s ability to create and make plays for himself and others was critical throughout the game. The 6-foot-6 guard used his off-rhythm ball-handling ability to get a step on defenders before making a number of passes that were right on target to cutters and shooters. He manufactured a number of quality looks for himself and spaced well off of the ball for threes. Sularski drew contact well on his drives and was able to finish when he had openings. What stood out most was the hustle and effort that he showed. Sularski rebounded the ball well and was the first on the ground for loose balls. High-major upside.
Marquis Clark (6’2 PG, Whitney Young)
Clark is such a solid all-around point guard. He showed well in multiple facets of the game, setting the tone early with his passing prowess. Clark worked well out of ball screen actions, staying patient and tactical off of the dribble until he knew where to deliver it. As the game progressed, he became increasingly more aggressive looking for his shot, hitting a pair of threes late and knifing to the basket off of a high ball screen. Clark has plus length and quickness defensively, looking like he will continue growing and filling out physically. Another Division 1 prospect for Meanstreets.
MidPro 15U
Brady Welch (5’10 PG, Moline)
Welch just seems to have a feel for the game that is well beyond his years. He was clinical with his decision making, knowing when to slow things down and when to up the tempo. Welch had tough, crafty layups in traffic while showing deep three-point range. His passing tact could separate him as he matures with how well he sees and anticipates open teammates. Welch had a nice freshman season and looks primed to be the next great Moline guard.
Cole Dubois (6’0 PG/SG, East Peoria)
Another talented guard for MidPro’s 15U group, Dubois has a nose for scoring the ball. He made floaters from close range, made some sound decisions off of two feet, and connected on a three off of the bounce. Fairly shifty and quick with the ball, Dubois looks to be a nice option on and off of the ball with some appeal as a pick-and-roll ball-handler as well.
Fundamental U 15U
Tommy Donahue (6’3 SG, Deerfield)
Donahue’s skillset at 6-foot-3 is promising. He has a consistent outside shot, making a three during the game and comfortably getting to his one-to-two dribble pull-up. Donahue handled the ball in the half court well and used his height to see over defenders to make passes over the top. The ability to work in space at his height caused some mismatches that he was able to expose. The Deerfield guard is solid.
Davis Bros 15U
Austin Luchetti (6’7 PF, Monona Grove [WI])
There is always a role for an athletic, high-energy frontcourt player. Luchetti was imposing his will inside of 15 feet with hard dives to the rim and a few layups through contact. He is an out-of-area rebounder with a nose for the ball and the commitment to stay in pursuit when players attempted to box him out. Early in the game, he showed his leaping ability with a strong two-handed dunk before making a positive impact inside for the remainder of the day. Even if Luchetti doesn’t keep growing, he’s got the toughness and activity level to be productive on the interior.
Kager Knueppel (6’7 SG, Wisconsin Lutheran [WI])
Knueppel is one of the most impressive 2027 wings I have seen so far this spring. The lanky, 6-foot-7 shooter has an effortless stroke from three-point range with great rotation on his shot, balance, and a repeatable, one-motion release. He knocked down a couple of shots from beyond the arc with confidence extending past the high school line. While he’s still growing into his body, Knueppel ran the floor hard and moves fairly well in the open court where he got quality looks in transition. There’s a quiet competitiveness and unselfishness about him that is great to see from a young player. Knueppel made timely passes on the move, had multiple steals from using his length in the passing lanes, and showed some grit on the glass. He is going to be a problem in Wisconsin over the next three years.
Reece Jordan Jr. (6’0 PG, Madison East [WI])
Jordan came out of the gate in attack mode, putting his head down and getting downhill early and often. A stronger guard, he takes bumps well and is more than suited to deliver them. He finished off of spins and made a difficult eurostep in traffic. Jordan has some feel as a shot creator from the perimeter as well, hitting a stepback and showing solid lefty mechanics from three.
All-In 17U
Jordan Tunis (6’0 PG, Schaumburg)
The pace-setter for this group, Tunis made timely shots throughout the game and created open looks for his teammates in the process. He made short pull-ups and was constantly in the paint off of dribble penetration that was aided by his speed and ball control to find slivers in the defense to exploit. Tunis remains a reliable and effective on-ball defender who should be a prime target for high-level D3 programs.
Luke Smith (6’0 PG/SG, Addison Trail)
Smith was a scoring dynamo for Addison Trail during the high school season and has been putting up good numbers for All-In so far this spring. During the game, he made floaters off of drives and was efficient getting to his spots around the elbow for pull-ups. Smith is a deadly three-point shooter with his feet set and showed the range at times. I like his continued development as a playmaker, knowing how and when to put find his teammates in spots where they will be successful. College coaches will be intrigued with Smith’s offensive firepower.
Ryan Brown (6’4 SG/SF, Fremd)
Brown is a competitive kid who has a good combination of activity, size, and skill. He was able to display his promising three-point shooting ability with a high-arching shot that he knocks down at a high clip. As the shots were falling from the outside, he also drove closeouts and got out in transition to either draw contact or finish off direct drives. Brown has added significant strength in the last 12 months that has aided his tenacity as a rebounder and defender, capable of now guarding two through four in most situations. Brown should have a nice senior year at Fremd, but may actually be a kid who performs even better at the college level with the extra open space. Another likely high-D3 recruit.
MidPro 17U
Dietrich Richardson (6’7 PG, Peoria Manual)
Richardson picked his spots to attack while facing a good amount of defensive attention. He maneuvered around ball screens well during the game, using hesitations and skips well to create extra time for the bigs to roll or for the tag defenders to make their decision before whipping passes to shooter. An impressive open-floor athlete, Richardson was jetting by defenders and elevating around the rim to score. He delivered defensively, leaning on his length and athleticism to keep guys in front and frustrate opposing guards and wings. Richardson continues to look like a high-major prospect.
Matthew Zobrist (6’5 SG, Metamora)
Zobrist is a lethal perimeter shooter who delivers on a consistent basis. He buried multiple attempts from three, including one in transition and another off of a corner kick out. Rarely did he seem sped up with the ball, acting as a prime secondary playmaker who knows how to use his big frame to hold off defenders and get to where he needs to on the floor. The productive lefty has cemented himself as one of the top two-guard prospects in the state.