I was out at the RecruitLook event in Chicago to watch some of the top AAU programs in the state compete. It was a well-run event with a ton of quality matchups across age groups. Here are some of the standouts from the teams that I saw.

Breakaway 3SSB 17U

Bryce Wegrzyn (6’8 PF, Libertyville)

In his first tournament with Breakaway, Wegrzyn’s energy seemed to be there from the early going. As an in-area rebounder, he did a nice job of attacking loose balls with two hands. Offensively, he did the most damage on face-up attacks and dump offs/rolls where he got above the rim and took hits inside. For being 6-foot-8, his agility in the lane with step throughs and other pivots allows him the ability to find the right angle of attack. It was a good showing for the Libertyville big.

Chris Bolte (6’6 SF, St. Ignatius)

Among the more impressive all-around performers from the weekend, Bolte continues to look like a high-level, high-energy wing. His perimeter shooting was giving defenders issues, particularly when he was matched up with fours. Bolte’s high release and proficient three-point shooting lead to a number of triples, which ultimately opened up the floor for his straight-line drives. At 6-foot-6 with plus athleticism and decent ball skills, he was able to get to the rim and had a couple of powerful dunks and free throw attempts from taking it strong to the rim. The St. Ignatius product was dominant at times with his energy alone as an offensive rebounder and 50/50 winner. There is no question that Bolte is a Division 1 wing, looking more like a Mid-Major type of kid at this stage.

Mike Nee (6’1 PG/SG, Glenbard East)

Nee’s shooting changes games. He was letting them fly and hitting at a good clip, making multiple threes in each of the games that I saw. Nee is only 6-foot-1, but he’s a tough, competitive kid who finds ways to get lost against defenses, even when they try to key in on him. That outside marksmanship that showed up out of pindowns, in transition, and off kickouts is going to be critical on the 3SSB circuit. Nee is a scholarship-level guard who could be a real winner from the spring if he continues to shoot and defend like he did this weekend.

Elevate UAA 17U

Adam Anwar (6’7 PF, McHenry)

Anwar was already moving in the direction of being a breakout player prior to a wrist injury during the season, but he looks right back on that trajectory. A floor-spacing forward with length, Anwar was on fire from three, draining numerous long-range looks off of kick-outs. His release point makes it hard to impact his shot and the consistent balance and mechanics yield ideal results from beyond the arc. Anwar excels as a shooter, but rebounds the ball well and has some appeal as a rim-protector. He remains a high-academic, scholarship-level prospect.

Chris Kirkpatrick (6’3 PG, New Trier)

Kirkpatrick gets a ton of well-earned respect for his offensive repertoire, but his ability and willingness to defend sometimes goes underdiscussed. While still generating looks with his change-of-pace and knocking down tough jumpers on the move, Kirkpatrick was sliding his feet and keeping the ball out of the paint with his length and lateral quickness. His commitment to being a plus defender only amplifies his stock as a dynamic point guard who I think will end up attracting more high-Division 1 into the summer.

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

Defensively, Scroggins is the perfect frontcourt player for this Elevate team. He switched onto guards, recovered to help out on bigs, and was still anchoring the defense in the process. The Lake Forest forward has natural rebounding instincts that showed up throughout the day along with good hands when catching hot passes on the offensive end. Another comfortable perimeter decision maker at his size, Scroggins drove well to his left and finished around the paint at a high clip. Still uncommitted, Scroggins will be one of those increasingly rare cases of a senior whose prospects explode in the spring.

Jordan Williams (6’6 SF, Fremd)

Williams shined throughout the weekend, showing serious upside as a do-it-all wing. He was able to utilize spins and bumps on his downhill drives to generate interior looks while also stepping into open jumpers with confidence. At 6-foot-6, Williams seemed to be a mismatch for whoever matched up with him. He was far too physical for smaller guards and possessed too much skill and ball-handling ability for slower wings and forwards. While his scoring came in bunches, the way that Williams saw the floor and acted as a point forward at times is what made him a special weapon for Elevate. He is so good at going up to snatch defensive rebounds in traffic and either making deep outlet passes or starting the break himself. Williams is also a rugged on-ball defender for a high-level defensive group. Division 1 wing.

Fundamental U UA Rise 17U

AJ Chambers (6’0 PG, DePaul Prep)

The quintessential point guard, Chambers just does winning stuff. He ran the show at times for Fundamental U where he kept his dribble alive and made sound two-foot decisions. When he was off of the ball, he had his hands and feet ready to shoot and worked the baselines well to score for himself or facilitate for teammates. As is usually the case for Chambers, he was excellent staying in front of the ball and applying ball pressure without fouling.

Andrew Hill (6’6 SF, ICCP [2025])

Hill was dominant for stretches as a scorer. A talented shooter with size, Hill was able to elevate over smaller defenders to knock down jumpers. The aggressive takes to the rim were working for Hill as well, using his body to maintain angles and exploding up to the rim in crowds. Hill is another unsigned senior who is seeing his recruitment pick up over the last few weeks. It has been apparent for a while, but Hill is finally starting to attract more D2+ programs.

Evan Nagler (6’3 PG/SG, Deerfield)

A well-rounded perimeter scorer from Deerfield, Nagler put on a shooting display. He was making the defense pay for giving him space from the outside and showed off quick, efficient mechanics from three. He remained aggressive and had a height advantage in his matchup that allowed him to get into dribble pull-ups and get clean looks from the outside. Nagler provides value as a smart passer as well when he needs to handle primary playmaking responsibilities. Expect him to be a coveted high-academic D3 prospect come this spring/summer.

Panayiotis Sotos (6’2 PG/SG, Maine South)

Sotos provided toughness and timely shot-making. He made simple reads and decisions on kick-outs to either shoot off the catch or use a few dribbles to win straight-line drives. He plays multiple roles for this Fundamental U team, defending inside at times and shutting down perimeter guys depending on their lineup. After continuously improving throughout the high school season, Sotos should be a Swiss-Army knife for this group.

Mac Irvin Fire EYBL 17U

Lincoln Williams (6’6 SG, Kankakee)

Williams possesses a level of length, athleticism, and skill that sets him apart in this class. The smooth wing was slashing along the baseline and flying above the rim for a variety of finishes. There is no wasted movement or unneeded dribbles with Willilams, being precise as a shot creator and giving it up when his teammates are open. After having another All-State year, Williams showed a fluid jump shot that has become a real weapon form the mid-range and from beyond the arc. Still a tremendous defensive prospect, Williams is just scratching the surface of his physical upside. High major programs will continue to compete for the addition of the state’s top two-way player.

TyJuan Hunter (5’7 PG, Hope)

After leading Hope to a state championship, Hunter is in a good position to shine as an energetic spark for Mac Irvin. He shot it well from three, was quick and decisive to the rim, and showed smarts and craftiness throughout. Hunter is also able to speed up opposing guards by getting under them and making them uncomfortable. The 5-foot-7 point guard can go.

Meanstreets EYBL 17U

Andre Tyler (6’5 SG, Simeon)

Tyler was immediate energy for Meanstreets, coming in with a big dunk, three, and an instant impact with his defense. Long and lanky and 6-foot-5, Tyler plays with competitive and relentless effort as an on-ball and helpside defender with blocks and tips. On a team loaded with talent, Tyler was able to add a nice element to the group with his hustle plays throughout the game. The talent and upside is apparent for the Simeon guard.

Marquis Clark (6’2 PG, Whitney Young)

A smooth operator from Whitney Young, Clark looked like one of the top guards in the class. His pace off of the bounce was notable as he weaved in and out of the lane and made the right reads at high speeds. Nothing ever seemed rushed for Clark, who has plus vision and strength at the point guard spot. I would expect him to continue to stand out as an all-around, winning point guard.

M14 Gold 17U

Cooper Mellican (6’5 SF, St. Charles North)

Mellican had a strong year with the North Stars this year and should be one of the impact guys for M14 throughout the spring. His extra effort plays and toughness stood out most, but Mellican is a well-rounded wing to track. He knocked down an open three, dominated the glass, and played through contact on his drives. There is some appeal as a mid-post threat with his the touch on his jumper and a physical frame to play with his back to the basket when needed. Mellican will be a nice, high-academic D3 prospect.

MidPro 17U

Cooper Knowles (6’9 PF, West Hancock)

Knowles flashed immense upside for West Hancock during the year and is set to be a spring breakout star for an always-good MidPro team. His vertical athleticism and length allows him to be a valuable lob threat and transition finisher off of rim runs. Once he gets going, Knowles has some speed in the open court with his long strides and that allowed him to get some easy points this weekend. Knowles has very soft touch with mechanics that should translate as he expands his range. I was most impressed with the timing and activity that he showed on the defensive end, whether he was recovering to cover up a mistake or giving some resistance while on the perimeter. Knowles is still developing, but I still think he has serious Division 1 upside.

Sean Lee (6’5 SG, Decatur MacArthur)

It’s very easy to see why college coaches are keeping tabs on the well-built, versatile 6-foot-5 guard. Lee has the type of bruising, rugged dribble-drive game that leads to drawn fouls, consistent finishes, and constant pressure on opposing defenders. He also has a clean outside shot with controlled lift and solid arc. Defenders really struggled to stay in front of him once he got a step and the ability to make the extra pass and take on some secondary playmaking duties is an area where Lee has developed well. His physical tools and tenacity play well on the other end as well, with a prototypical build for a backcourt/wing defender. Division 1 prospect.

Young & Reckless 17U

Jayden Riley (6’0 PG, Yorkville Christian)

Coming off of a tremendous season for Yorkville Christian, Riley was a factor on both ends with his quickness. He found a way into the lane with a nifty handle and good top-end speed to collapse the defense. Once he was in the lane, he showed body control to contort for finishes and was making quality reads as a passer as well. Riley’s vision and overall playmaking ability stood out in a tournament crowded with talent, particularly in the ball screen game. He also pressured the ball as a primary defender and even took a charge. Riley looks like a future Division 1 floor general.

Mason Lockett (6’5 PG/SG, Oswego East)

Lockett got off to a hot start for Y&R in their first tournament, showing some of the offensive firepower that has attracted some Power 5 programs. The lanky combo guard hit a pair of threes early and did a nice job of getting to the rim and utilizing his length to finish in crowds. Lockett’s activity and physical traits showed up on the defensive end as well, taking away the vision from opposing wings and affecting passing lanes throughout the game. He remains one of the top prospects in the 2026 class.

Stephen Brown (6’8 SF/PF, Marist)

The word of the day for Brown is versatility. A legitimate 6-foot-8 forward with high upside, Brown was attacking the rim hard as a cutter, straight-line driver, and glass crasher. Despite possessing the ability to make overpowering plays to the rim, Brown didn’t seem to force things and got his shots in the flow of the offense. His rebounding and defense are differentiators, switching across the board and dominating at times with in-traffic rebounds. There is some promise with his jump-shot as well. The dual-sport star is healthy again and will draw plenty of Division 1 interest this spring.

Breakaway 3SSB 16U

Alex Sirbu (6’8 PF, Buffalo Grove)

Sirbu was one of the better 16U bigs that I saw this weekend. His motor and activity as a rim runner, help side defender, and interior finisher showed up against some high-level bigs. Even since the fall, Sirbu’s footwork and face-up game have expanded a good amount, looking comfortable ripping through and hitting hooks and layups against length. He is a powerful athlete who challenged shots at the rim in the games that I saw. To this point, Sirbu is one of the better all-around bigs in the entire class.

Elton Jaegerskog (6’4 SG, New Trier)

Jaegerskog’s hustle and energy was notable for Breakaway. He never stops moving, runs the floor hard, and plays with a ton of force. The straight-line drives were working well, taking bumps before making leaners, running hooks, and other layups inside. Despite playing primarily on the perimeter, Jaegerskog was excellent on the glass, fighting for position and elevating well to corral misses. He also hit a three and was a reliable presence defending on the wing. The arrow continues to point up for Jaegerskog, who is largely under the radar for now.

Breakaway Adidas Gold 17U

Bennett Kammes (6’2 SG, Glenbard West)

Kammes came out firing this weekend, having a game where he hit nearly 10 threes for Breakaway. He is a reliable long-range sniper who is shot-ready on the catch with good range. Since last summer, Kammes has greatly improved his body and athleticism, playing through contact more and crashing well for rebounds. His shooting remains his key trait of production, but he also used his length to make an impact in the gaps defensively. Kammes is a rising shooting guard in the 2027 class.

Nate Woods (6’5 SG, Lyons)

Woods continues to grow, both physically and with his game. Now around 6-foot-5, the lanky wing looks ready to take a nice leap. He had a couple of rhythm threes that he knocked down but was also effective using his long strides to attack closeouts, cut for layups, and snatch rebounds. Woods played with a sense of urgency that will serve him as he fills out. He was decisive and efficient with his touches, and fits the mold of a tall, perimeter scorer. One of a few promising young players from Lyons.

Nedas Venckus (6’3 SG, Lockport)

Venckus was in full control as a scorer, taking it to the cup aggressively and connecting on the open jumpers that he got. He has some athletic pop when he gets a head of steam and finished up near the rim on a few occasions. There is also some wiggle to his game as a ball-handler to create some space to get shots off. Look for a strong spring from the Lockport product.

Nojus Venckus (6’3 SG, Lockport)

Venckus is just an all-around player. A lanky, springy guard at 6-foot-3, he was maneuvering in space to get mid-range jumpers or put his head down to get to the rim. Venckus shows nice lift on his jump shot and the ability to catch fire from three to complement his downhill game. I also thought he showed good signs of being a disruptor on the ball on the defensive end. Quite a tandem with his brother.

Elevate UAA 16U

Cole Dubois (5’11 PG, East Peoria)

In one of the most impressive showings I saw all weekend, Dubois was terrific in a loss to a loaded PSA team. He was hitting tough threes on the move, using ball screens to gain advantages, and was shifting defenders throughout the game to create space. Dubois showed supreme confidence in his ability to take and make gutsy shots, even against different types of defenders. When they switched bigs onto him, he took them off of the bounce and hit floaters. It’s hard to find guards at his size who are that adept at creating space and hitting long-range shots off of the dribble.

Jacob Fuller (6’8 PF, Glenbrook South)

Fuller has serious size and shooting ability at 6-foot-8. He provided value as a floor spacer and drilled threes when he got his feet set. As both a pick-and-pop threat and transition shooter where he stepped into threes off of the dribble, Fuller can really stretch the defense. As he continues to fill out a projectable frame, Fuller should be even more effective inside.

Vito Rocca (6’5 SG/SF, Evanston)

Rocca showed a ton of grit and a nose for the ball as a rebounder throughout the game. He always seemed to be around the ball, fighting through box outs from bigger players before high-pointing rebounders. Rocca created multiple second chances and was a weapon as a cutter, roller, and direct-line driver. Rocca has continued to grow and fill out, now with the size and explosiveness to be a defensive stalwart across multiple positions. He has shown since the high school season that his shooting ability has taken huge strides as well. Rocca is going to be a dog for years to come.

Fundamental U UA Rise 16U

Jake Nawrot (6’4 SG, Hersey)

What made Nawrot a notable performer was how well he affected the game as a rebounder and switchable defender. Well-built and explosive at 6-foot-4, Nawrot was able to close space on the perimeter, chest up defensively, and even bang with bigs at times. The standout quarterback prospect has put on a ton of muscle since last summer and is well-suited to play and defend multiple spots on the floor. Offensively, Nawrot kept the ball moving and generated quality shots off of his drives. He has the makeup and skill to be an impactful scorer when needed with a smooth pull-up game, body control at the rim, and three-point range. While he’ll likely be a high-level QB, Nawrot could also be a scholarship-level wing on the hardwood.

Nate Fridman (5’10 PG, Glenbrook North)

Fridman provided valuable lead guard skills for Fundamental U, manning the point guard spot and setting the tone with his crafty ball-handling and court sense. He always assessed potential creases in the defense prior to picking the ball up, which ultimately led to some lanes opening up for his drives and letting cutters flash open. The Glenbrook North guard is a scrappy competitor who battles for position on box outs and turns opposing guards. The IQ and toughness stood out.

Young & Reckless 16U

Jamier Montgomery (6’2 PG, Crane)

Montgomery was one of the breakout stars in the Chicago Public League this year and really shined as a slasher. With a wide wingspan and slick handle, he was able to penetrate and extend to the rim in traffic, getting above the rim a few times as well. I’d expect him to continue to grow a bit as well, which will only help with his downhill style and ability to turn defense into offense.

Kendall Meyers (6’5 SG/SF, Marist)

The big, powerful guard was having his way as a basket attacker and transition threat for Y&R. Built more like an upperclassman than a sophomore, the ever-improving Meyers bullied his way to the rim on a few occasions. He put his foot on the gas in the open floor and was a freight train once he got a head of steam, with defenders either moving out of the way or taking the worst of the contact. Meyers has sound mechanics on his jumper, defends all over the floor, and has a chance to be a really good player for Marist in the coming years.

Breakaway 3SSB 15U

Ben Ojala (6’1 PG, Evanston)

Ojala was making things happen throughout the weekend. He was hot from the three-point early on, draining multiple shots from the middle third of the floor. The standout Evanston floor general has the ball on a string and plays with a level of moxie that is apparent from the jump ball to the final buzzer. In transition, Ojala put constant pressure on the rim and either took it himself or dumped it off to teammates. His on-ball defense in one-on-one situations was solid as well, which is an area where he impressed as a freshman on the largest of stages. Ojala is a killer on the court and a force creator on both ends.

Kelechi Enyia (6’1 SG, Providence Catholic)

A compact, powerful guard, Enyia had some of the most effortless dunks that I saw this weekend from 15U kids. And that’s saying something for a guard who is around 6-foot-1. While attacking the basket, he dragged defenders with him using a good first step and strong upper body strength. He converted multiple layups through contact and was a frequent visitor to the rim. Enyia was stout defensively and looked like he got shot out of a cannon when changing ends of the floor. After a big freshman year at Providence, Enyia should have a productive spring with Breakaway.

Joey Jakstys (6’6 PF, Yorkville)

Jakstys continues to blossom and flash some serious potential as a high-upside face-up forward. He was handling the ball well in the open floor and worked on the wing to get to the rim and score his hooks and push shots. His shooting ability is a plus trait right now and showed with an array of catch-and-shoot looks and interior turnarounds. Jakstys moves so well and has athletic pop around the rim, dunking on a defender in the open floor and looking more aggressive around the paint. As he becomes more comfortable burying defenders and scoring with his back to the basket, he will be that much more effective. It’s till early, but I haven’t seen a better long-term four man prospect in the class than Jakstys.

Illinois Wolves 15U

Chase Kasten (6’5 SG, Normal)

The most impressive freshman who I saw this weekend, Kasten was carrying a heavy load for the Wolves as a scorer, facilitator, and rebounder. He thrived in ghost screen actions where he was able to slip out and hit threes throughout the weekend. Kasten has a compact release and can elevate well around the mid-range for jumpers. At around 6-foot-5 and growing, Kasten looked good in the mid post with turnarounds and bump fades against tight defense. Kasten has great feel and patience with the ball, letting plays develop well within the offense. Defensively, Kasten is a strong, athletic kid who moves his feet, makes second effort plays, and finishes possessions with rebounds. While I’ve been high on Kasten for a bit, it seems like there will be more statewide recognition for one of the top all-around players in the 2028 class.

Blake Choice (6’3 PG, DePaul Prep)

It’s fairly clear that Choice has the tools to be the next great DePaul Prep guard. Playing on the ball for the majority of the games I saw, Choice uses his size to see over defenses, rise up for pull-ups, and make wrap around passes off of ball screens and in traffic. His wingspan has to be around 6-foot-7 plus, which both suggests additional growth and allows him to get strips and steals on the defensive end. He turned those forced turnovers into dunks and layups in the open floor where he shined. When he was playing with intensity, there weren’t many guards who could get by him. Choice is one of the guards in the class who will open eyes this summer for the reigning 3A state champs.

Tommy Hills (6’3 PG/SG, Carmel)

The way that Hills guarded the ball stood out, particularly at the 15U level where kids are typically more offensive-minded. Hills has excellent strength and lateral quickness to stay in front of the ball, redirect ball-handlers, and blow up opposing actions. He forced numerous turnovers and made guards uncomfortable all weekend. On the offensive end, Hills keeps his dribble alive, is an aggressive downhill driver, and makes the extra pass without hesitation. After playing up on varsity for Carmel this year, Hills seems ready to take a nice jump heading into his sophomore summer.

MidPro 15U

Brock Brown (6’4 SG, Taylorville)

One of many long, high-skilled wings on this MidPro team, Brown looked good scoring from different spots on the floor. His jump shot mechanics are clean and he has good range with it. When Brown put it on the ground, he didn’t waste dribbles and understood when to pick it up and either distribute or hit close range jumpers. The general versatility of Brown shined during a stellar freshman season at Taylorville and should show well for MidPro this spring as well.

Jackson Golden (6’4 SF, Mahomet Seymour)

Golden is just a tough, hard-nosed kid. He did a lot of dirty work for this talented group and showed big-time physicality for a freshman. At 6-foot-4 with a great frame, Golden was bullying other forwards on straight line drives, holding his ground defensively, and dominating on the glass. The body control that he showed as he made double-clutch finishes was impressive and should aid him as he continues to grow. You can’t put a value on the type of grit that Golden provides.

JJ Duffin (6’4 PG, Peoria)

One of the eye-openers from the weekend, the hyper-athletic Duffin was excellent on both ends. He’s a quick, long-striding dribble penetrator who was living in the paint where he made some pull-ups and tough finishes amongst the trees. His leaping ability is advanced, with that quick-twitch athleticism that you can’t teach. With his size and length complementing that vertical prowess, he was a terror on the defensive end in the games I saw as an on-ball and helpside defender. Duffin is going to be a good one.

Kayden Turner (6’3 SG, Metamora)

After having his freshman season marred by injury, Turner reminded everyone why he is one of the more promising two guards in the state. A deadeye shooter with a jet quick release, Turner got to his spots for stop-and-pop shots and sprayed in threes off the catch. He also showed some toughness taking it to the rim where he welcomed bumps and used his length to finish. He’s already grown since the fall and has the wiry frame that usually suggests the early stages of physical growth. The skill level, IQ, and size is there for Turner to emerge as one of the top players in Central Illinois next year.