The Hinsdale Central Holiday Tournament will feature some of the better 3A and 4A teams in the Chicagoland area, with a number of notable prospects. We are looking specifically at some of the uncommitted seniors who college coaches may want to check out while out in Hinsdale.

Damien Lewandowski (6’5 SF/PF, Oswego East)

Lewandowski has stepped into a larger role for Oswego East and gives them both an interior presence and some offensive versatility. He’s a true combo forward who has solid strength to match some ability to score on straight-line drives and make some plays in space. As a rebounder, he has a nose for the ball and a frame that should allow him to be productive in that area going forward.

Tyler Sierra (5’11 PG, Maine South)

A scoring lead guard for Maine South, Sierra has really stepped up while the Hawks battled some injuries. Sierra has a quick first step and can shoot from distance both in spot up situations and off of the dribble. That latter ability will play well for a guard of his size at the next level, where off-the-bounce scoring will keep defenses honest in ball screen actions and while probing. Look for Sierra to have some impressive moments as a creator this week. Quality D3 point guard recruit.

Jack Sladky (6’6 SF/PF, Maine South)

Sladky is one of the uncommitted forwards who I have a ton of confidence in as D3 contributor in the frontcourt. He has a physical build and is a well-rounded athlete who can stretch the floor, bang inside, and make some plays out of the high post. Sladky has been rock solid for Maine South so far this year and is a kid who doesn’t need plays drawn up for him to be a net positive. When projecting to the next level, his toughness and mobility defensively should give him some flexibility across positions.

Caden Workman (6’4 SF, Brother Rice)

You’d be hard pressed to find many wings left in the 2025 class who can wear as many hats as Workman. Often providing value as a tertiary scoring option, high-level rebounder and defender, and offensive connector, Workman has shown that he can do what is needed to affect winning. His ball control and shot creation ability go underappreciated at times, but he’s got some wiggle off of the bounce and is a reliable shooter when given space. Workman looks like a high-level D3/scholarship-level kid.

Jack Weigus (6’3 PG, Brother Rice)

Another Crusader who is a serious scholarship-level prospect, Weigus is a special shooter from the perimeter who has been a big addition for Brother Rice. He has excellent lift on his jumper and stops on a dime to hit shots from a variety of spots on the floor. If he is off of the ball, he stands out while running off of screens and making tough shots at high speeds. But he projects well at the point guard spot as well, where he’s got positional length and the ball-handling ability to initiate offense and make on-time passes versus pressure. Weigus will be among the top shooters out at Hinsdale.

Zach Mazanowski (6’8 SF, Lane Tech)

One of the better long-term prospects at the tournament this year, Mazanowski’s size, skill, and athleticism will catch a lot of attention this week. As the year has progressed, Mazanowski’s confidence and impact continue to trend in the right direction, shooting it particularly well against tight defense and driving by overaggressive closeouts with force. Also a high-level student, Mazanowski is a safe bet for D1 and D2 programs who are still looking to round out their 2025 classes.

Drew Bartolai (6’3 SG, Lane Tech)

There’s a reason why some of the best D3 programs in the Midwest have keyed in on Bartolai. The 6-foot-3 guard is a powerful athlete who has great springs around the rim once he gets to that launching pad. At times, he acts as a primary ball-handler for the Champions, which will only help him as he transitions to the college level. Bartolai stands out most as a strong dribble-drive player who can hold his ground defensively and make an impact in the open floor.

Marco Klebosits (6’4 PG/SG, St. Charles East)

A lanky combo guard for the Saints, Klebosits passes the eye test as a long-armed, smooth shooter. Klebosits is a legitimate 6-foot-4 with comfort handling the ball when needed or spotting up beyond the arc. As he adds strength, he shows the defensive movements to be a solid wing defender. On a senior-driven team, Klebosits will be able to show college coaches some of his different tools this week.

Sam Tisch (6’3 SG, St. Charles East)

Tisch is another wiry guard for the Saints who provides value in multiple areas. He can score in bunches when given space, knocking down threes comfortably off of the catch. Depending on the lineup, Tisch can flex more in the backcourt to get the ball moving, on the wing as a cutter or spacer, or battling inside against bigger guys when needed. A very high academic prospect, Tisch projects as a D3 option on the wing.

Brad Monkemeyer (6’3 SF, St. Charles East)

An experienced senior with multiple years of varsity experience, Monkemeyer is a physical forward who does a lot of dirty work for the Saints. Playing a lot of time inside for them, he puts it on the ground off of face-ups and is a sound passer and quality rebounder. D3 programs looking to add toughness and hard-nosed defense could take a look at him.

Andrew Wolfsmith (6’5 SF, St. Charles East)

Another wing with good size for St. Charles East, Wolfsmith has some upside with his height, long arms, fluidity, and shooting ability. He is a stretch forward who can make defenses pay for giving him space off of the catch. What he’s also shown this year is some athleticism on the slashing moves to the rim, where he uses his long strides well. I would imagine that a number of D3 programs see the promise in Wolfsmith down the line.

Tyler Smith (6’3 SG, Wheaton Academy)

Smith is a compact athlete capable of changing games on both ends of the floor. For his future outlook, Smith’s ability to shut down standout players on the opposing team and generate extra possessions as a rebounder and turnover creator is key at the guard spot. Smith also is the leading backcourt option for Wheaton Academy with a mix of explosive direct-line drives and transition takes with the occasional pull-up or spot-up three. The list of good D3 programs in high pursuit should continue to grow.

Sam Thomas (6’3 PG/SG, Wheaton Academy)

Another 6-foot-3 guard for the Warriors, Thomas makes good things happen on and off of the ball. Thomas has a clean three-point stroke with projectable mechanics and deep range that appeal to college coaches. Playing the point guard spot for stretches this year, he also makes an impact as a ball-mover, distributor, and initiator. With his long arms and steady activity, Thomas also has the tools to be a productive defender at the next level. Thomas already has multiple D3 offers.

Zack Sharkey (6’3 SG, Marian Catholic)

Sharkey is one of the most natural scorers in the tournament this year, boasting an advanced mid-range game that separates him. When he gets touches in the mid-post, Sharkey is a master at using shot fakes, spins, and bumps to get space for his turnarounds. He has also shown notable growth and increased volume as a three-point shooter where his range has expanded seamlessly. Sharkey handles the ball in the half court well to create space for his shot and is an underappreciated rebounder as well. It has seemed this way for the last few years, but Sharkey is a solid D2 prospect.

Patrick Shell (6’3 SG, Burlington Central)

A fluid athlete and slasher for the Rockets, Shell has taken a big leap in production from his junior year. Now one of the top options, he has shown the ability to drive closeouts, hit spot-ups from deep when his feet are set, and get paint touches in transition. The 6-foot-3 guard also gets a ton of tips and steals with a plus wingspan that helps him get into passing lanes regularly. D3 programs have targeted Shell.

Dillon Orozco (5’11, Hinsdale Central)

Orozco can really score the ball and make things happen in structure or off of broken plays. As a ball-handler, he’s got good burst off of the dribble with the body control to make difficult shots in the lane. Where he has made a big impact is as a long-range shooter to complement some of the athleticism and size that surrounds him. His pesky on-ball defense also looks translatable, but that threat of catching fire offensively could be his calling card at the college level.

Mikey Howell (6’6 PF, Hinsdale Central)

Howell’s long arms and activity make him a productive frontcourt prospect to keep an eye on for D3 programs. He challenges shots inside as a forward and is adept at going into traffic to get rebounds. The 6-foot-6 senior has also shown some feel as a face-up threat, particularly during the summer where he looked good as a pick-and-pop threat.

Tyler Thick (6’8 C, Hinsdale Central)

The man in the middle for the Red Devils has been up on varsity for a few years. Thick has a big frame and plays with some attitude and energy when crashing the glass, setting screens, and ducking in offensively for post touches. He has provided a nice outlet inside to this point and has a workable outside shot if left open. With few solid bigs left in the 2025 class, Thick should attract a ton of high-academic D3 programs looking for size.

Eric Kozys (6’2 SG, Hinsdale Central)

Another reliable senior for HC, Kozys is a productive perimeter shooter who has a repeatable lefty shot from beyond the arc. Often running his wings well and spotting up from three, Kozys is a threat to his multiple jumpers in every game. When driving to his strong hand, the 6-foot-2 guard can play through some contact and has some grit to him as a driver. Kozys has a projectable build that should continue to add muscle over the next few years. Expect multiple D3 programs to check in on him this week.

Kobe Jordan (6’3 SG, Plainfield East)

Jordan has been the primary option for Plainfield East after missing time with injury a year ago. He has a college-ready body that he uses well to be a disruptive, stout defender across all three perimeter positions. Offensively, he is a physical driver who welcomes contact and makes plays in traffic off of two feet. Jordan’s mid-range game is an asset and he can knock down open threes with time and space.

Hunter Gawron (6’7 PF, Niles North)

Among the state’s most productive, volume interior scorers the last two years, Gawron is a skyscraping forward who understands how to find open space as a roller and outlet on dribble penetration. On paint touches, he is a forceful finisher who dunks with ease and completes plays through contact. Now adding in an improved mid-range and three-point game, Gawron has shown that he can excel at his bread-and-butter while showing glimpses of an expanded game that will help his prospects at the next level. With his motor, rebounding, and help side defense being constants, Gawron is a serious D2-level prospect.

Yaris Irby (5’10 PG, Niles North)

A player who will attract college coaches across levels, Irby is a four-year standout who has been an all-conference player for Niles North the last few years. Even at his height, he gets to where he wants on the floor, can hit shots from well beyond the three-point line, and is a gifted passer with ideal vision as a lead guard. More a scorer for the Vikings, Irby can put up points in a hurry from all three levels. When locked in, he can harass opposing ball-handlers on the defensive end as well.

Dylan Lam (6’2 SG, Niles North)

Another quality uncommitted senior for the Vikings, Lam has quietly been one of the glue pieces. You can count on his three-point shooting in catch-and-shoot situations, but the energy and effort that Lam brings to spark the defense can’t be overlooked. Whether he is getting strips, sprinting to his rotation to contest a shot, or timing up a ball reversal for a pass interception, he has some flashes of a possible 3-and-D two-guard.

Jordan Tunis (5’10 PG, Schaumburg)

Tunis should be a point guard to watch at Hinsdale Central, bringing some elements of a pure point guard and scoring guard to the table. To this point, Tunis has been a driving force for the Saxons with how well he controls pace, uses his speed to create advantages, and makes tough shots in and around the paint. Defensively, he’s a college level disruptor who has good attention to detail and pursuit of the ball.

Zion Young (6’7 C, Schaumburg)

The Schaumburg big has impressed with his low post game over the lats few years, but the ever-improving face-up game is worth watching. Young doesn’t shy away from contact, burying defenders inside consistently while making hooks and jumpers when given space. I would expect him to continue to improve his outside game and refine his frame like he has already done since last year.