As fall leagues get underway, I have started making rounds to check out some of the groups in the Chicago area. On Sunday, I went out to the Breakaway fall league in Lombard to watch some of the high school groups. There were a number of notable players in attendance, but here are some of the standouts.

Alex Gossett (6’6 SF, OPRF 2025)

Gossett was one of the more impressive leapers in the group and it showed any time he got a running start towards the rim. Even if he didn’t dunk it, he was quick off of the ground and often got too high for the help side defenders to do much. The rip-and-go moves and decisive drives to the basket were the featured pieces of a high scoring day for the OPRF wing. Gossett shot it pretty well too, particularly from the corners where he spaced well and knocked them down. Gossett is a senior who still has ample upside as his body and game continue to progress. Expect him to be one of the top players in the WSC this year.

Andrew Hill (6’6 SF, ICCP 2025)

Hill’s game has continued to progress in the right direction since last season. He looked comfortable putting it on the ground to score at the rim and manufacturing jumpers off of the bounce. There is little wasted motion in his shot, able to let it go from well beyond the college line. There is also a lot of appeal with his side-to-side mobility staying in front of the ball and then the closing speed and athleticism to rise up to challenge shots inside. Hill still looks like a D2/High-level D3 prospect.

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

Strelnikov had a field day inside. The deep seals, post hooks, and spin moves were on repeat offensively, with quality defenders struggling to do much with him inside of 10 feet. He did step outside and hit a three as well, but the low post game remains a differentiating trait. While a bit old school, Strelnikov showed prowess as a strong rebounder in his area and precise finisher off of rolls and short corner dump offs. Of the 2025s who are uncommitted, Strelnikov is the best true big.

Athan Berchos (6’1 PG, Andrew 2025)

Good guard play never gets old and Berchos was showing that in multiple areas. He kept his dribble alive until he had an outlet and showed some range on his three-point shot. Berchos pushes it well in transition and has a change-of-speed that makes his first step that much more effective. Nothing ever felt forced, often making sound, two-foot decisions to facilitate and make shots in the lane. Berchos should be a reliable D3 PG prospect.

Bobby Grganto (6’6 PF, Downers Grove North 2025)

Grganto has continued to attract substantial high-quality D3 interest and for good reason. His comfort sprinting to the paint, leg whipping, and uses his physicality to convert inside stood out. He has continued to refine his frame and seems in even better shape to have a leading role this year. The DGN forward has a good feel for how to create separation with bumps before using jump hooks to score. He also connected on a couple of threes and has the type of shot mechanics that will play well at the next level.

Chris Bolte (6’6 SF, St. Ignatius 2026)

Bolte can do a lot of damage inside, even with his back to the basket when needed. But it was great to see him operate on the perimeter a lot as well where his athleticism, IQ, and shooting ability shined. A dangerous pick-and-pop threat, Bolte his threes, made dribble pull-ups, and put his head down going left to blow by defenders who weren’t in a good stance. He’s a legitimate switchable defender with guard-like athleticism and the frame at 6-foot-6 to battle with bigger guys on the block. He also should be one of the premier rebounders in the Chicago Catholic League for Ignatius this year. D1 upside as a wing/forward.

Cole Kelly (6’6 SF, Neuqua Valley 2028)

For a fall league setting, Kelly brought a ton of energy and enthusiasm. He was one of the first to get up when his teammates made big plays and looked engaged on the floor. The multi-faceted lefty shot it well from three, hitting stepbacks and catch-and-shoot looks from the middle third of the floor at a high clip. There’s an easy, quick release to his shot that gives him an edge at 6-foot-6. It was also great to see how well he initiated and absorbed contact, noticeably stronger and more fluid than even a few months ago. The ability to grab misses and either throw on time outlet passes or bring it up against pressure will separate him down the line. There are still plenty of freshmen who I haven’t watched yet, but Kelly is the most impressive I’ve seen in large part due to the intangibles and competitiveness.

Colin Jacobs (6’1 PG/SG, Downers Grove North 2025)

Jacobs showed a lot of toughness, battling for rebounds and hustling to be the first one to loose balls. The high energy generated extra possessions on both ends and was notable amongst the other players on the floor. A gritty guard, Jacobs also made defenses pay for giving him space from the three-point line. Heading into the season, he should have a big leap in role and impact.

Danny Snyder (6’1 PG/SG, Glenbard East 2026)

A multi-year varsity player for GBE, Snyder has a grit to him that you like to see from young guards. He drove it hard to the rim with his strong hand a couple of times and sprayed in threes when given space from the outside. But his second and third efforts both defensively and on 50/50s made an impression. Snyder should be in a good position to step into more of a leadership role as a junior.

Domas Narcevicius (6’6 SF, Stagg 2025)

Another senior who has been a hit with many D3 programs, Narcevicius was getting no-helped from the jump. Not something you typically see at fall leagues, but understandable considering the percentage that he shot when he had room in transition or off breakdowns. The 6-foot-6 Stagg product knows how to use his big frame to knock defenders off balance off of the ball before sprinting into threes from a variety of actions. He continues to show good progress with his quickness and vertical jumping ability, getting up above the rim on a few wing runouts. Narcevicius was excellent scoring the ball all day.

Elton Jagerskog (6’3 SG, New Trier 2027)

It was my first time seeing Jagerskog, who is new to the area from Sweden. He’s got good positional size with a solid frame and a clean outside stroke. The ball comes out of his hands with good rotation and he does an excellent job of getting his feet set and maintaining his balance through his shot. Jagerskog buried multiple threes during the day and was effective driving aggressive closeouts. He seemed comfortable handling it and has some vision as a passer. For only a sophomore, he has the strength to take contact and hold his ground defensively. It looks like he’s going to get taller as well. A new name who looks like he’s got a chance to be a difference maker.

Grant Best (6’3 SG, Mount Carmel 2025)

Without question, Best had the highest motor of the group. He was attacking missed shots off of the rim and pulled in numerous offensive rebounds in traffic before powering back up. That is an innate gift for the Mount Carmel guard, who was also solid individually on the defensive end with his hand activity and pursuit. As the day went on, he started to knock down some shots from the perimeter to complement the aggressive downhill drives and transition takes he had. Best is one of the true workhorse guards left on the board in the 2025 class.

Josh Abushanab (6’5 SF, Glenbard West 2026)

A do-it-all wing who transferred to Glenbard West, Abushanab was effective on the glass and had some moments as a playmaker and slasher. He crashed hard in crowds to come up with misses and showed some bounce above the rim on multiple occasions. Abushanab seems to have a natural feel as a passer to draw help and find the open man. He did that well without having to force anything. There’s a lot to like about how he uses his length and rangy athleticism to cover ground on the defensive end as well.

Mason Martin (6’3 SG, Neuqua Valley 2027)

A straight shooter in the 2027 class, Martin is a deadeye. Often playing the role as a floor spacer during the games, Martin used a one-motion shot with high arc to compile threes throughout the day. Martin looked best as a trailer and transition threat while defenders were loading up the help side or trying to stop the ball. He understands his strengths and moves well to open space. A lanky, 6-foot-3 frame suggests some more growing as well. Martin will be a serious weapon for a young Neuqua team.

Nolan Hurter (6’2 SG, Downers Grove North 2025)

Hurter did a lot of little things that stood out. His off-ball movement and cutting led to multiple layups and quality looks inside. When help came, he didn’t shy away from contact and managed to finish some tough looks inside. Typically a knockdown shooter, Hurter also showed comfort stepping into threes off of drive-and-kicks and swings around the perimeter. You have to appreciate the activity that he brought.

Timmy Sloan (6’4 PG, Lyons 2027)

Sloan’s height and feel stood out, even in a group of mostly older players. He played both on and off of the ball at times, making quick reads to get the ball to scorers while also operating on the wing to hit pull-ups and space the floor. At 6-foot-4, he covers ground well in transition to generate some easy transition looks. That length also projects as a significant asset as a positional and help side defender as well as a rebounder where he continues to be noticeable.

TJ Williams (6’2 SG, Glenbard West 2026)

Williams was attacking the rim from the jump, driving along the baseline and making quick decisions in transition. During any runouts where he had an open lane, he was throwing down drunks off of two feet with ease. Williams possesses great physical traits with a long reach and high-end athleticism that he used well to penetrate. He will take another big step for the Hilltoppers this year with improved outside shooting ability and ball-handling ability. Scholarship-level guard to track in the 2026 class.

Trey Williams (6’2 PG, Loyola 2026)

It seemed like Williams was in the paint every possession, either showing great body control and athleticism as a finisher or whipping passes to his teammates. I didn’t see anyone who was able to consistently keep him in front. The Loyola point guard gets a head of steam well and has that force and gravity as a dribble-drive threat that is hard to teach. Also a tremendous on-ball defender,  Williams has explosiveness, physicality, intelligence, and attention to detail that should make him one of the most complete perimeter defenders in Illinois. Williams already does a number of things that check off for a Division 1 PG prospect. As his jumper continues to progress, the ceiling could be serious.

Jackson Snider (6’4 SG, Wheaton Academy 2027)

There is a lot to like about the potential that Snider has as a playmaker and defender. A smooth, 6-foot-4 sophomore with good lateral quickness, Snider was able to make an impact defending multiple positions. He anticipates well off of the ball to shoot gaps and disrupt things. Snider got to his spots and lifted up into jumpers throughout the game that I saw. He has good mechanics when he’s on balance and has the size to shoot over most guards that he will face. As Snider continues to add weight to a projectable frame, he should develop into a nice two-way player.

Joey Jakstys (6’6 PF, Yorkville 2028)

Jakstys was in the younger groups and had some great moments on both ends of the floor. His ability and willingness to sprint the floor, go coast to coast with the ball, and affect the game defensively is rare for a freshman at his size. He made players change their shots any time he was in the vicinity with quick closing speed and nice timing inside. The perimeter skillset on the offensive end is also advanced at this stage. Jakstys has a good looking outside shot and was agile and fluid when putting the ball on the ground. He has immense upside.

Luke Loughlin (5’6 PG, Barrington 2028)

One of the better ball-handlers I saw during the day, Loughlin used a tight, controlled handle to find ways to make plays happen. He’s very creative and shifty with the ball, understanding pace and angles to get where he needs to, even against bigger defenders. Time and time again, he got into the paint and made scoop layups inside. The constant pressure that he applied on the rim led to a ton of open looks for teammates after drawing attention. I thought his defensive toughness was notable as well, particularly in situations where he was on an island.