I was out in Lake Forest this weekend to check out the 2nd annual Agent Zero Masterclass camp that was organized by former Lake Forest guard Noah Portalatin and Young Bucks Academy. The high school groups were broken down by upperclassmen and underclassmen. Here are some of the standouts.

Aidan Bardic (6’3 PG, Stevenson 2025)

Bardic won MVP of the 2025 class after running the show and being a leader during drills and game. His IQ was evident early on with how he set up cuts and timed up his passes during the half court portions. When live defense was added, the physical strength at the guard spot gave him an edge, but so did his quick first step and comfort finishing in different ways with both hands. A true general in the ball screen game, Bardic was making the right reads while hitting a ton of stop-and-pop shots from three and around the elbows. Bardic had a huge summer and has a great list of suitors right now.

AJ Chambers (5’10 PG, DePaul Prep 2026)

Chambers had so many positive moments on both ends of the floor and ultimately won MVP of the 2026s. During both days, his activity on defense was exceptional. His quick hands and speed helped him stay in front of the ball and jump passing lanes. The lefty has a controlled handle and was able to create advantages on command. He has natural feel as a passer, making dump offs and finding cutters on target. Set to have an increased role on an always tough DePaul Prep team, Chambers is one of those guards with winning qualities.

Alex Sirbu (6’8 PF, Buffalo Grove 2027)

The only sophomore playing up with the upperclassmen group, you wouldn’t know that Sirbu is only in his second high school year by looking at him. Quickly developing as an all-around player, Sirbu plays with so much force with added layers of skill. He utilized rocker steps well on the perimeter to freeze defenders before driving and absorbing contact well. During drills, his shot mechanics were solid on one-to-two dribble pull-ups and spot ups. He fought inside and held his ground very well in a group full of talented, older frontcourt players. Sirbu will emerge as one of the best bigs in the area this year.

Anton Strelnikov (6’8 C, Lake Zurich 2025)

You always know that Strelnikov is going to give you instant offense on the low block. Even while matched up against other high-caliber bigs, Strelnikov was clearing space inside and using his frame to get position on the block. The spin moves and strategic use of shot fakes stood out, even after facing up from 15 feet. A nice development that should be a serious reason for optimism was the three-point shooting. Strelnikov hit multiple pick-and-pop threes around the middle third of the floor and was confidently taking them in rhythm. As productive as a big as there is in Illinois, he looks like a solid Division 1 prospect.

Atticus Richmond (6’8 SF/PF, Stevenson 2025)

Richmond is a unique athlete at 6-foot-8, with mobility, leaping ability, and a strong frame to go with it. While going through the half court drills, his one-motion shooting stroke was yielding good results. That ability to stretch the floor makes him an appealing wing/forward, but the biggest impact during live segments came with his downhill attacking. Richmond was a force with a head of steam, making early drives and showing the agility to evade help defenders or power through guys. Another no-question scholarship-level prospect with Division 1 upside.

Drew Bartolai (6’3 SG, Lane Tech 2025)

Bartolai is always good for a few highlight-reel dunks and this weekend was no different. On Saturday when he was there, he was forcing turnovers and flying to the rim. Bartolai was leaning on right-hand drives to get by defenders and seems to have a feel for when to drive once defenders are on their heels or the help side is preoccupied. As a productive, high-academic recruit with college-ready physical traits, it seems like the offers should continue to come in over the next few months.

Freddy Battaglia (6’4 SF/PF, Lake Park 2026)

There wasn’t a better cutter at the camp than Battaglia. His constant motion and activity off of the ball led to easy layups in the half court. Battaglia excels along the baseline where he is willing to catch passes in traffic and remain under control while using pivots and shot fakes inside. He gets off of the ground well and has serious athletic pop to finish possessions inside. Battaglia is a junior to keep an eye on.

Hudson Scroggins (6’8 PF, Lake Forest 2025)

Maybe the most underappreciated four man from a recruiting standpoint, Scroggins was impressive. He’s an effortless run-and-jump athlete that got above the rim for rebounds, finished with dunks during drills, and was rock solid while moving laterally on defense. As a perimeter threat, he put his head down and took it to the rim aggressively to his strong left hand on a continuous basis. There’s a certain determination about the way that he drives the ball that was nice to see. He has glimpses of showing some wiggle as a ball-handler and continues to display magnetic hands as a roll man and high-volume rebounder. Add in his ability to shoot the three and it’s hard to overstate his upside.

Ian Miletic (6’7 SG, Rolling Meadows 2025)

The Marquette commit was very vocal and active throughout the camp. He was highly efficient with his dribble during drills, particularly with his dribble pull-up game where he got to his spots and smoothly lifted up into his shot. At 6-foot-7, he remains a mismatch for most high school players. Miletic has continued to get stronger and more creative in space, which showed in the full court portions where he was able to generate quality looks inside. His work ethic continues to be a differentiator.

Luca Stella (6’4 PG/SG, Lake Park 2025)

The constantly-growing Lake Park guard was only at the camp on Sunday, but had a strong showing. During the extended 5-on-5 portions, he made a number of threes in spot up situations, with a couple out to the college line. He’s got a slick game with great positional size to affect games in multiple areas. The defensive ability looks like a real long-term asset with how he slides his feet and gets tips on passes. Stella should have a breakout year for LP.

Marc Harvey (6’4 SG, Oak Lawn 2026)

Harvey looked best as a slasher and was generally good off of the bounce throughout the day. With long arms and already at 6-foot-4, Harvey has a projectable build for a two guard/wing. A wiry open court finisher, Harvey was getting around primary defenders and making some acrobatic layups around the rim. He seems comfortable making quick moves with the ball in scramble situations to get to his spots in space. Harvey has some tools to work with for Oak Lawn.

Oliver Gray (6’6 SG, Barrington 2026)

Gray is a shot generator, both as a scorer and playmaker at this point. In the half court 1v1 portions, the diverse shot profile that makes him an impressive long-term prospect at 6-foot-6 stood out. The Barrington standout hit long threes and was making some difficult looks with defenders in his air space. He has progressed well as a primary decision maker, finding ways to draw out help defenders and make timely deliveries on the move to teammates. Gray should be among the top guards/wings to pursue for D1 programs looking at the 2026 class.

Pittman Alley (5’10 PG, Williston Northhampton [MA] 2025)

The energy and communication from Alley were on a different level than everyone else at the camp. He was the first to the ground for loose balls, tried to take multiple charges, and never stopped hustling during both days. Alley has excellent three-point range, with a set shot that extends out to the volleyball line and solid balance and mechanics on his release. He was willing to run off of the ball to free himself from defenders and drained a number of long threes.

Tyler Sierra (5’11 PG/SG, Maine South 2025)

Sierra had one of the best shooting performances at the camp. The 5-foot-11 guard couldn’t miss from three, making both open and contested threes throughout the live segments. He does a great job getting his feet set and has supreme confidence and consistency shooting the ball from distance. When he didn’t have clean looks from three, he had some quick takes to the rim. Sierra never seemed to cool down and left a lasting impression as a shot-maker. He returns as a one of the top scorers for Maine South.

Zach Mazanowski (6’8 SF, Lane Tech 2025)

Mazanowski is another kid who has been steadily climbing and tapping into his potential. He had moments of dominance in both days, flashing agility and athleticism on and off of the ball that is intriguing at 6-foot-8. The rangy wing has made huge strides as a ball-handler and off-the-dribble shot-maker. He even played as a primary ball-handler at times, working off of ball screens and putting pressure on the rim with his long strides. Look for a big leap in his senior year and more programs to start to zero in on Mazanowski.

2027/2028 Group

Cam Scroggins (5’8 PG/SG, Lake Forest 2028)

Scroggins stood out as a perimeter shooter during the camp. He’s got textbook form and shot it very well from three when he had his feet set. Scroggins gets his shots off quickly and has solid pre-shot preparation off the catch. He’s got a lot of growing to do and has the long limbs that suggest that he’ll be well over 6-foot by the time that he is done filling out.

Charlie Schlicht (6’3 SF, Grant 2027)

Schlicht is a hyper-athletic forward who was very productive getting to the rim and making plays inside of 15 feet. A powerful dribble penetrator who can jump out of the gym, he got to the rim with solid ball skills early and often. The Grant sophomore showed some tough on his jump shot from 15-to-18 feet as well, making a couple during live segments as well. His build and athleticism at his age set him apart in the group.

Cohen Ottaviano (6’1 SG, Stevenson 2027)

I’ve been really impressed with Ottaviano this fall with how hard he plays and his general versatility and feel for the game. He made good decisions with the ball, both as a scorer using his strong upper body to attack paint and as a passer who was willing to get the ball moving in the flow of the offense. He shined at times as a defender, forcing turnovers and using a plus wingspan to frustrate ball-handlers. Ottaviano shot it well off of the catch with a solid, lefty shot from three. It’s a nice changeup from his aggressive, attacking style that should serve him as he matures. Ottaviano is a quality sophomore to watch.

Edwin Karnauchovas (5’8 PG, Buffalo Grove 2028)

Despite lacking some height Karnauchovas was knifing into the lane during live segments. He’s got some shiftiness and keeps his dribble alive until he has an outlet. The body control that he showed in the paint was noteworthy as well, finishing around defenders in a variety of ways and neutralizing shot blockers with his touch and push shots. As he continues to grow, Karnauchovas appears to have the ball skills and craftiness to make things happen.

Griffin McNeil (6’3 SG, Hersey 2027)

McNeil had some great stretches on the defensive end hustling for loose balls and competing to get stops. With his length at 6-foot-3, McNeil did a nice job of ripping other guards and pushing it in transition. Offensively, he’s a good three-point shooter who can make long threes without losing his shot mechanics. There is clean rotation on his shot, and he looks capable of being a reliable catch-and-shoot threat.

Luke Loughlin (5’6 PG, Barrington 2028)

Loughlin’s toughness, creativity, and skillset earned him MVP of the 2027/2028 group. He was excellent on the defensive end with constant ball pressure from baseline to baseline and relentless pursuit of the ball in the half court. He fought through screens and created steals in one-on-one situations. Loughlin is a highly skilled ball-handler who is advanced at changing speeds, getting to his spots, and reading defenses. There were numerous pinpoint passes that he made in tight windows, using ball fakes and leading teammates to the rim. He scored inside with floaters and by getting the ball to the backboard quickly. Loughlin looks like the type of winning point guard who will be a game-changer.

Phoenix Fisher (6’3 SG, Niles West 2027)

Fisher was dominant attacking the basket for the majority of the day. Very athletic and well-built as a two-guard, Fisher was shedding defenders and living in the paint. He had multiple flushes in the open floor with the type of straight-line driving that will translate to the varsity level. Fisher showed touch from the perimeter as well, comfortable hitting pull-ups and stepping out to shoot behind screens. Look for Fisher to make an impact for Niles West this year.

Quinn Zinzer (6’0 PG, Prospect 2027)

Throughout the day, Zinzer was very competitive and disruptive on the defensive end by being strong at the point of attack. He also stood out by going through drills hard and taking reps seriously, even during the on-air portions. Zinzer moves with a sense of urgency and quickly gets his feet set to shoot off of the ball. During live portions, he got to the rim at will, showing off a tight handle and understanding for how to shift defenders to get driving lanes. His three-point shooting is also a plus skill that will serve him well during the high school season.