We held our annual July camp with Agent Zero Masterclass out in Lake Forest last week, with over 70 players from across the state split up into two groups. We are starting with releasing evaluations from the upperclassmen group of 2027 and 2028 players.
Green Team:
Dino Giannini (6’0 PG, Ridgewood 2027)
Giannini has continued to look like one of the real sleeper guards in the area. He was able to show his three-point shooting ability in ball screen situations and as an off-ball spot-up weapon for his team. Giannini has an efficient release and gets good arc on his shot. The crafty Ridgewood guard was able to get into the paint when he was run off the line, making a few pull-ups and using his touch with push shots inside. Giannini is a productive, shot-making guard.
Edwin Karnauchovas (6’2 PG/SG, Buffalo Grove 2028)
Karnauchovas was as dominant as any guard in either group during the night. Both highly-skilled and very physical at the guard spot, he was manufacturing shots from all over the floor and doing so in a loud fashion. He hit stepbacks and snatch shots in space, worked in the ball screen game well as a passer and scorer with a variety of start and stop moves, and was the highest-volume three-point shooter in the older group. Karnauchovas was genuinely a plus scorer from all three levels, also showing his added explosiveness while throwing down two dunks during the scrimmages and shooting passing lanes for steals. It is still early, but he looked like a scholarship-level guard throughout the event.
Michael Newell (6’0 PG/SG, Notre Dame College Prep 2027)
Newell never disappoints from an effort and grit standpoint. He picked up defensively well, turning ball handlers and making opposing guards go to counter moves to try to get by him. He also sprinted the floor well in transition and made the most of his open looks offensively. Newell can operate as a play initiator or look to score as a two-guard depending on the lineup. He should have a nice senior year for the Dons.
Noah Hester (6’5 SF, Taft 2028)
There are some intriguing parts of Hester’s game that should blossom with time. During the drills and live segments, his comfort putting the ball on the deck and taking contact inside made a good impression. A long, agile forward who can defend multiple spots, Hester took it coast to coast on a few occasions and used floaters and bump finishes to score. He also showed the ability to step outside and hit stationary threes when given time and space. Hester should be a focal point for Taft as a junior.
Austin Carlsen (6’7 SF, Wauconda 2027)
Carlsen’s combination of shooting ability, length, and free movement was a matchup problem for defenders at times. A legitimate wing with size at 6-foot-7, he has a clean outside shot with long range that yields good results. He made several threes during live play and was able to excel as a transition outlet who could finish with dunks and double-clutch layups inside. Defensively, he blocked shots and patrolled the paint well for the green team as a weak-side contester. Incredibly young for his class, Carlsen has a ton of untapped potential that is starting to be realized.
Kyle Jacobs (5’10 PG, Downers Grove North 2028)
Leddy had some nice moments using his length and mobility on both ends. He blocked a few jump shots with good timing, getting off the ground well, and was able to alter some looks inside when dribble penetrators looked to attack. At his height, he moves more like a wing and has some skill putting it on the ground and stepping outside to shoot, as he showed during drills. Leddy projects as a player who can both roll or pop as a screen outlet and will look to have a solid junior year after missing some time with an injury earlier in the year.