I am checking out some local teams throughout the weekend via livestream and periodically posting some of the players who caught my attention in the games that I watch.

Fundamental U UA Rise 16U

Jake Nawrot (6’4 SG, Hersey)

Nawrot continues to look like one of the best-kept secrets in the state. The 6-foot-4 swingman consistently made the right plays within the flow of the offense, either keeping it himself or finding teammates with on-time passes. He plays with his head up as a penetrator and uses his vision to get some wide-open looks for others on the move. Nawrot also excelled in the lane, playing off of two feet, hitting a pull-up in transition, scoring on downhill drives, and working out of the post, where he made a left-handed hook and played through contact well to get to the foul line. With his length, athleticism, and physicality on the wing, he should continue to be a plus defender and rebounder. I remain high on Nawrot, who will be a dual-sport standout for the Huskies.

Luke Alvarez (6’1 PG/SG, Loyola)

Alvarez shot the ball well in the game I saw, providing a spark as a floor spacer who competed on the defensive end. Always catching it with his hands and feet ready, Alvarez connected on a handful of triples throughout the game off of set plays and in scramble situations when defenders lost him. He was scrappy defensively when going for loose balls and fighting to get back into plays. The Loyola guard has been productive for FU so far.

Matthew Logue (6’5 SF/PF, New Trier)

This was as impressive as Logue has looked in games that I’ve seen him play. His developing perimeter game showed well, burying multiple threes, including a difficult stepback in the first half. The increased confidence he has shooting it from the perimeter only adds to the tireless activity that he shows on both ends. With a near 7-foot wingspan, he alters so many shots and disrupts the vision of guys. Logue made a few slick moves inside, scoring on a step-through and using his length to extend for reverse layups. He also scored on several backdoor sets and showed the type of competitiveness that you love to see.

Tommy Donahue (6’4 SG, Deerfield)

Donahue did so many little things that helped ignite Fundamental U late in the game. He is an energy-giver defensively with the type of length and aggressiveness that leads to tips, steals, and positive plays on that end. Donahue crashed the glass hard as well and acted as a connector offensively with backdoor passes and dump-offs. He’s a win-first player who is willing and able to do whatever is needed.

Mac Irvin Fire 17U

Justin Oliver (6’0 PG, Curie)

Oliver can really go. His finishing ability on dribble-drive actions is second to none in this class, particularly for a player of his stature. The wiry lead guard scored in a variety of ways at the rim, with push shots and some athletic layups where he contorted his body to avoid the help. With his handle and creativity, there is plenty of long-term appeal as a shot-creator if he can continue to fill out physically. After a big spring and June, Oliver has put himself in a great spot to open eyes these next few weekends.

Lincoln Williams (6’6 SG, Kankakee)

The impressive showing on the EYCL continued for Williams. He shined as a basket attacker, either off of straight-line drives or as a lane-runner, where he scored off of dunks and contact finishes. He is an effortless run-and-jump athlete, but made an impression as a ball mover, making quick decisions off the catch. All of the tools are there for Williams to be a high-end defender at the college level, and his dribble pull-up game continues to progress. It’s apparent why so many coaches have packed into gyms to see him play.

Ignite 16U

Brady May (6’6 SF/PF, Palatine)

May showed some of the two-way potential that should have college coaches intrigued. He ran off a pindown for an NBA-range three and knocked down another triple from the wing early on. There is a confidence about him where he never second-guesses himself on rhythm looks, a trait that will play well at the next level with how proficient a shooter he is at this point. He challenged guys at the rim inside as a finisher, converting off of multiple cuts in traffic. May’s willingness to snap the ball up the floor and pass guys open really stands out for a 6-foot-6 wing. That height and length were put to good use defensively, staying in front of the ball and sliding his feet as well as I’ve seen from wing for stretches. I still believe May has a chance to be one of the best wing prospects in the area if he continues to progress.

Cam James (6’3 SG/SF, Hoffman Estates)

The strong, lefty wing put together some nice moments for Ignite. There were a couple times when he was able to bull rush his way to the rim to his strong hand and use his shoulders to create separation. James has the upper body strength and body control to consistently convert off of those tough drives. He also knocked down a three from the wing and was active on the glass on both ends.

Ramon Rosario (6’0 PG/SG, Hoffman Estates)

It didn’t take long for Rosario to get going, hitting a three and scoring on a few layups at the onset of the game. A natural dribble penetrator, Rosario changed speeds well and kept his defenders off balance with quick moves before they could get set. His athleticism continues to impress in open space, particularly once he gets to the rim where he elevates well at his height. Rosario provided some defensive energy on the ball for stretches, turning ball-handlers and speeding guys up later in the game. I’d expect Rosario to have an elevated role at Hoffman this year.

Will Baik (6’0 PG/SG, Hersey)

Baik completely took over in the second half of the game with his energy, defensive impact, and scoring. He lived at the rim in the latter part of the game, putting his head down to collapse defenses and finishing with an array of scoop layups at the rim. He never took his foot off the gas and stayed in attack mode in transition and while driving from the wing. Baik has a good first step and is a plus athlete who showed good burst off the catch to blow by initial defenders. Whenever the help was early, Baik made the extra pass for a quality look. I like how Baik turned the defensive intensity up as the game got tight, sparking Ignite with several steals and runouts after making other guards work. He’ll be another nice 2027 prospect at Hersey.

Illinois Wolves 17U

Oliver Gray (6’6 SG, Barrington)

Gray was excellent for the Wolves, leading the way as an efficient shot-maker throughout the game. The 6-foot-6 guard hit a few threes, got into the lane for running hooks and floaters, and ran out in transition for a few easy ones. His shooting ability is special at this stage, able to get off shots with limited room due to his quick release. When defenders flew by, he calmly side-stepped to hit a three and used his hang dribble well to set up defenders before getting to his pull-up. Gray found ways to get to the foul line as well, where he shot it at a high clip. He was critical to keeping the Wolves within striking distance and ultimately winning it down the stretch. He has looked like a Division 1 prospect for some time, but the volume of outreach is about to go up a notch.

Rashaun Porter (6’7 PF, DePaul Prep)

Among the most consistent players in the state, Porter was battling at the five spot against some solid size and length inside. He exploded in traffic to grab rebounds and was doing a good job of muscling through crowds to get room to elevate and high-point missed shots. Porter has a level of “want-to” to him that you can’t really teach, but is evident every time he plays. On the defensive end, Porter anchored the defense and showed some agility when closing space on the perimeter. Even in situations where plays weren’t called for him, he found openings to duck in and score over his right shoulder or draw contact on putbacks. Porter had the game-winning dunk on a nice DHO keep to seal it. Another Division 1 recruit for the Wolves.