I was out in Romeoville for a couple of games this weekend to watch some of the talent at the Prep Hoops Windy City War. Of some of the games that I saw, here are a few of the players that stood out.

Breakaway 15U Gold

Reid Gabuzda (5’11 PG/SG, York)

Gabuzda had a strong showing for Breakaway as a shooter and scorer. He has continued to add muscle and is playing through contact well as a result. He scored on seals and nifty moves to the rim, where he finished through bumps. He is a consistent three-point shooter with a quick trigger from beyond the arc. They ran several plays to get him looks throughout the game, and he capitalized. Gabuzda should be a good one for York.

Carter Pohlman (6’3 SG/SF, Glenbard East)

Pohlman shot it well from distance and showed a level of physicality that is uncommon for a freshman. The 6-foot-3 lefty comfortably drilled a couple of threes off the catch with sound footwork and clean rotation on his shot. He was a leading rebounder for them, flying in for missed shots and discarding guys in traffic to get space. Pohlman did a nice job of walling up defensively and has the frame that should allow him to guard several positions moving forward. I was also impressed with his vision and touch as a passer, which shouldn’t come as a surprise given his outlook as a quarterback prospect.

Bardo Basketball 17U

Colton O’Neil (6’2 SF, Burlington Central)

O’Neil provided an impact as a hard cutter, driver, and shooter. The 6-foot-2 wing hit several threes during the games and drove it hard off of the catch for floaters and contact finishes inside. O’Neil was counted on to rebound and be a helpside defender around the rim for them as well 

Kyle Mann (6’4 SF, South Elgin)

Athletically, Mann stood out on the open floor. He has long strides and covers ground well on both ends. When you combine that with his timing and ability to get off of the ground, it makes sense that he was able to compile chase-down blocks and finishes above the rim. Mann was best when sweeping to attack from the wing, but he also knocked down a few threes and showed a good follow-through. The long-term upside is there.

Basketball Paradise 17U

Byron Walton (6’1 PG/SG, Lyons)

Walton had an immediate impact for Paradise, using a slick handle to get into the paint and going up around the rim to score with finger rolls or push shots inside. He has a big wingspan at his height, which aids him both as an on-ball defender and as a shot-maker, possessing a high release from three and in the mid-range area, where he connected on a few looks. Walton scored on a lob and in transition as well for them. He has great positional length and solid skill to tap into.

Ignite 17U

Brady May (6’6 SF, Palatine)

A sweet-shooting forward from Palatine, May was solid as a decision maker from the perimeter. He is fluid when driving the ball and has the length to extend to the rim. May drove closeouts well and showed off his deep three-point range on ball reversals in their offense. He was able to push it a bit in transition while adding value as a vertical deterrent on the defensive end. May continues to look like a prospect with plenty of potential. 

Cam James (6’3 SF, Hoffman Estates)

James has continued to impress as a physical, downhill wing. He was really good in transition when he was in attack mode, getting paint touches early and often for Ignite. While he was best when driving it, James made plays for others as a passer and was rock solid defending other wings. His shot mechanics are sound, especially in catch-and-shoot situations. James will be worth tracking for college coaches looking at versatile wings in the area.

Will Baik (6’1 PG/SG, Hersey)

Baik got going as the game progressed, finding creative ways to get into the lane and convert in crowds. He had a few and-ones where he showed good footwork and body control while weaving inside to find an angle. He’s got some burst off the bounce to win one-on-one matchups. Baik remained calm as a decision maker throughout the game and looks to be a key ball-handler for this group.

Mac Irvin 15U EYBL

Keiwon Gulley (6’0 PG, Bloom)

Gulley produced on both ends for the Fire, blowing up actions with his defensive activity and causing issues for opposing guards with his ability to dribble and penetrate. He had a dunk in transition, frequently got two feet in the lane, and was setting guys up off of his athletic takes. His quickness and explosiveness were separators on some of the acrobatic finishes that he had against good-sized inside. After a standout freshman year at Bloom, Gulley should have a strong spring and summer.

DK Heard (6’5 SG, Mount Carmel)

A standout freshman at Mount Carmel, Heard was dominating for stretches within 15 feet with a good package of counters and finishes. He’s got a smooth mid-range game with a ton of power to his game at this stage when facing the rim. He turned defense into offense in their run-and-jumps, getting above the rim a few times as a lane-runner. Heard’s talent jumped out early on, but he’s got a competitiveness to him that should help him realize his ability as he continues to develop.

Ronald Johnson (6’3 SG, Mount Carmel)

Another big-time freshman for the Caravan, Johnson’s willingness and ability to guard the ball and shut down all three perimeter positions were noteworthy. He covers ground well and has a great pursuit of the ball to get back into plays. That’s in addition to the clear talent as a driver and shot maker, where he had nice moments in open space. Johnson has some wiggle to his game as a ball-handler and accelerates well when he gets a step on defenders before using a variety of finishes to complete plays. Johnson has the look of a big-time college prospect down the line.

Big 3 16U

Kyle Jacobs (5’10 PG, Downers Grove North)

Jacobs was a standout for Big 3, giving them a nice offensive punch. He stepped into a handful of threes during the game and was unafraid when taking it into traffic. He gets off the ground well on his jumper, which helps him rise up and hit some shots over taller guards. Jacobs is a tough kid who was competing for loose balls and working to make life difficult defensively while guarding scorers. There is always a role for a player who brings that scrappy mentality along with the offensive production.

Eli Schweitzer (6’6 PF, Rochelle)

Schweitzer was able to show a combination of bruising strength along with some face-up ability to work with going forward. A solid dual-sport athlete, he brought a similar hustle and ability to move bodies to the court. The 6-foot-6 forward is fairly mobile in the open floor, has good feet, and uses his frame well to hold his ground, challenge shots, and finish possessions on both ends. He made a few layups after taking and delivering bumps while also hitting a three with a clean, one-motion shot. Schweitzer attacked from the wing well while sweeping to his right hand, either drawing contact or scoring. There is a lot to like about his potential to defend multiple front-court spots with his athleticism and body.

Breakaway 16U Gold

Connor Crowley (6’2 PG, Downers Grove North)

Crowley contributed across the board, scoring off of spot-up threes, driving through contact, and giving them an edge with his energy on the glass and defensively. His frame and strength looked advanced compared to other guards, bullying smaller defenders and powering up for finishes. As a spot-up shooter, he hit a couple of catch-and-shoot looks with a solid base when he had space. Crowley facilitated well within the offense and was able to score in bulk without having to force anything. As a point-of-attack defender, Crowley displayed plus lateral quickness to stay in front of guys, legitimate physicality to bump guys off spots, and good instincts and hands off the ball. Crowley looks to build off of a strong year where he was a key piece at the point guard spot for DGN.

Jack Kastner (6’0 PG/SG, Hinsdale Central)

Kastner was on a heater for Breakaway, pouring in threes off of a variety of actions and movement. He’s got a compact release with the ability to quickly set his feet and replicate his shot consistently. They got him a few threes off of pindowns and found him off of quick actions, where he delivered. He even had an and-one three while putting on a shooting clinic early on. Kastner is excellent at moving off the ball and proved to be instant offense.

Will Greetis (6’5 PF, York)

Greetis brings an element of rugged toughness that you have to appreciate. The 6-foot-5 forward was battling for position inside the entire game while getting on the ground for loose balls and crashing the glass hard. Greetis has the build to deliver contact and fight through hits. He converted a few layups and added a three as well. There is a good level of grit that Greetis brought to the table.

Mike Glennon Elite 17U

Coy Workman (6’4 SF, Brother Rice)

Workman’s versatility stood out for MGE. At 6-foot-4 with a significant wingspan, Workman was able to flex across positions and do damage in a variety of areas. He put it on the ground with good intent from the wings and in transition, gliding to the rim for several layups. Workman looked confident handling the ball in space and was excellent as a passer for them. He has the height to see over defenses, but also displayed good timing, vision, and a genuine unselfishness to find the open man. As one of their taller guys, he was impactful defensively while rotating over to challenge shots from the helpside. Workman is also a solid outside shooter who projects well as a spot-up threat. Look for him to continue to trend up.

Mikey Flynn (6’2 PG/SG, St. Rita)

The sharpshooting lefty had some nice moments spacing the floor and giving a spark. Flynn has good range and textbook mechanics from three, knocking down open looks from the wing. He didn’t need much space to get his shot off and had nice pre-shot preparation. I also thought that his anticipation defensively allowed him to be a pest for opposing guards to generate turnovers and speed guys up. Flynn is a solid small-college guard prospect.

Breakaway 17U Gold

Bennett Kammes (6’2 SG, Glenbard West)

Kammes was unconscious for Breakaway in what was the best shooting performance I saw all weekend. He scored over 20 points in the first half alone while hitting six threes off of spot-ups, away screens, and trails. He has the lift and finish on his shot to regularly connect on shots from near NBA range, seeming to be fully calibrated as soon as he checked in. While defenders tried to take him away, his off-ball cuts and the speed of his movement made it tough to stay attached to his hip. And in the game that I saw, a sliver of space was all it took for Kammes to hit shots. He also scored on a few direct line drives and was forcing defenders to overcommit to try to cool him down. It was a great showing from Kammes, who has the positional length and shooting ability to be a coveted floor spacer at the college level.

Nedas Venckus (6’3 SG, Lockport)

A gifted scorer out of Lockport, Venckus just knows how to fill it up. At various points of the game, he made decisive moves to get downhill for layups or connected on some contested mid-range looks. The standout Lockport guard also went up and blocked a few shots in transition and showed the run-and-jump athleticism that you look for in a guard. He still looks capable of being a scholarship-level two-guard.

Enoch Olukolade (6’5 PF, Oak Forest)

The term pogo-stick athlete gets thrown around a lot, but I don’t know a better way to describe the sheer speed and elevation that Olukolade showed above the rim. His leaping ability was effortless, finishing with a handful of thunderous dunks and tapping in lobs with his elbows at the rim. He was a high-end vertical outlet all game for them and scored off of dump-offs and lob passes well. Olukolade has elite physical tools to work with as he continues to develop.

Big 3 17U

Gavin Radmer (6’2 SG, Richmond Burton)

Radmer was the primary source of offense for Big 3, drawing contact well and finding ways to score off the catch and on drives. The Richmond guard is a very good spot-up shooter who has the type of release that should easily translate to the next level. He hit a few during the game, but was also very aggressive, putting his head down to get to the rim to his strong hand. Radmer was living at the foul line and using his length to get shots up over helpside defenders on his penetration. In a more primary ball-handler role, Radmer was solid.

Ben Gillmar (6’5 SF/PF, Wheaton North)

Gillmar is a promising combo forward prospect with his size, athleticism, and blossoming perimeter skill. When he put his head down, his ball skills and force stood out. Gillmar does a nice job of getting defenders on his hip and using his shoulders and base to maintain advantages. He scored on some drives and also added a three, an area where he has made immense strides over the last few years. After shooting it well for Wheaton North this year, Gillmar looked confident pulling up from range. I really like his defensive profile, showing innate footwork when sliding and changing direction to complement instincts to get tips, disrupt passing lanes, and block shots around the rim. At 6-foot-5, Gillmar looks like a do-it-all wing/forward for high D3 programs to add to their list.

Warren Schweitzer (6’7 PF, Rochelle)

One of the state’s top long-term football prospects, Schweitzer is an imposing presence. But the skillset that he has at 6-foot-7 can be a true differentiator. On his post-up opportunities, Schweitzer sealed well, gave a big target, and buried defenders on several occasions. He has that short turnaround down pat and displays touch on his hooks. There weren’t any bigs who were able to move him off of his spot on the other end, either, using his strong lower half and getting up to contest shots in his area. Schweitzer cleaned the glass well and showed promise during the day as a pick-and-pop threat where his touch extended out past the arc. While he is likely to be a Division 1 football recruit, Schweitzer has the size, tools, and raw skill and talent to be an intriguing college basketball prospect.

M14 17U

Ben Whorlow (6’9 C, St. Francis)

Whorlow hit multiple threes for M14 and showed the type of diverse offensive game that college coaches look for in a 6-foot-9 big. He walked into several triples early on and spaced well off of dribble penetration to hit shots. Whorlow has a solid, projectable build that he used well on a few occasions to expose mismatches inside and score around the rim. When he got high post touches, he threw a couple of nice lead passes to backdoor cutters and made sound decisions as a screen outlet. Defensively, I really thought Whorlow competed to try to stay in front of quick guards when switched out in space. In a class that lacks some legitimate bigs, Whorlow has an inside-out game that will catch a lot of attention.

David Showman (6’3 SG, Wheaton Warrenville South)

Showman has looked like one of the more well-rounded wing scorers in the area so far this spring. Today was no different, mixing in threes with hard-nosed drives to the basket and acrobatic finishes. The 6-foot-3 guard made some big shots down the stretch for them, particularly off of his aggressive takes to the rim against length and athleticism in the paint. He showed plenty of flashes during the high school season and looks to be on a tear over the first month of the spring AAU season.

Jackson Snider (6’5 SG, Wheaton Academy)

Snider brings value in nearly every part of the game and is a player who I think college coaches are going to love as a two-way prospect. He was a big factor on the defensive end, where he slowed down scorers with his length and quickness, while also blocking and altering a handful of shots inside. You can see the soccer influence in how well Snider changes direction defensively, rarely getting beaten on initial moves. His vision and playmaking set him apart offensively as a 6-foot-5 guard. Acting as a secondary ball-handler for stretches, he whipped passes to shooters on the move and anticipated some deliveries in transition. Snider also had a couple of grown man rebounds in traffic and scored it himself off a few hard cuts and drives. When you add in his ability to hit open jumpers and pull-ups, it’s easy to see the long-term appeal.

GPA 17U

Cohen Ottaviano (6’2 SG, Stevenson)

The well-built lefty had a big showing for GPA, letting it fly from beyond the arc and bringing a nice competitive edge on the defensive end. Once he got his feet set, Ottaviano was nearly automatic from a few feet behind the arc. There is a rhythm to his shot that allows him to generate consistent results without losing his form from deeper distances. He seems to take pride in getting stops as a defender and has the frame and mentality to pair perfectly on the wing. Ottaviano also rebounds more like a big than a perimeter guy, in part due to a “want-to” attitude. If he can continue shooting it as he did, it will be an added projection boost for a player whose toughness stands out.

Reggie Stevens (6’4 SG, St. Laurence)

Coming off another nice year for St. Laurence, Stevens looks primed for a huge spring and summer. He can flat-out score the ball, and it doesn’t really matter where on the floor he needs to get to in order to do so. Stevens hit a handful of threes off the catch and put constant pressure on the rim off of crafty, determined drives to the rim. Stevens is a disruptive help-side defender who fits well with an up-tempo style where he can get out and run. What stood out most about his performance was just how efficient and useful he was with his dribbles. Nothing was wasted, everything had purpose and intent, and he did so without forcing. He has the talent to be a scholarship-level guard.