We were out in Northbrook this weekend to watch a showcase put together by Franklin Orange that included several other trainers from the area. For the varsity group, here are some of the players who stood out.

Tate Schroder | 6’4 SG | Evanston | 2027

Schroder showed a strong combination of skill and athleticism throughout the event. He shot the ball well and looked comfortable making plays from the perimeter, while his athleticism stood out during drills as he consistently got off the ground with ease. He also stayed active away from the ball and found ways to contribute without needing constant touches.

On the defensive end, Schroder showed the tools to become a reliable wing defender. His size and athleticism give him the ability to cover ground and stay active on the perimeter. There is a good foundation of shooting, movement, and physical tools to work with.

Mamadou | 6’8 PF | DME Academy Wisconsin | 2028
*haven’t been provided a last name yet

Mamadou was one of the more impressive long-term prospects at the event. He has a strong, athletic frame and moves extremely well for his size, giving him the ability to cover ground and play above the rim. His explosiveness showed up around the basket, where he consistently finished above the rim and played with noticeable physicality.

There is still plenty of development ahead from a skill standpoint, but the physical tools are difficult to ignore. Mamadou has the strength, athleticism, and mobility to develop into a high-level prospect as his game continues to mature.

Adam McBrearty | 6’5 SF | Brother Rice | 2027

McBrearty brought a physical approach to his offensive game and consistently looked to attack the basket. He used his strong frame well when driving, absorbed contact effectively, and showed the ability to put pressure on the defense from the wing. His willingness to attack helped create opportunities throughout the game.

The outside shot adds another dimension to his offensive profile. McBrearty showed a nice stroke from three and has enough shooting ability to make defenders respect him away from the basket. His frame and physical style give him a solid foundation as a senior wing.

Luke Alvarez | 6’1 PG/SG | Loyola | 2027

Alvarez was one of the more dangerous shooters in attendance. He knocked down shots on the move, showed legitimate range, and played with the confidence of someone who is always ready to let it fly. His handle was good enough to initiate offense at times, but his biggest impact came as a scorer and movement shooter.

He consistently found ways to get himself open and did not need much time or space to get a shot off. Alvarez’ willingness to shoot from distance and ability to make shots without being stationary make him a difficult matchup for defenses.

Cash Cumpata | 6’3 PG | Burlington Central | 2027

Cumpata showed good feel and poise throughout the event. The senior guard sees the floor well and made quality passes, particularly when pushing the ball in transition. His long arms also helped him defensively, allowing him to contest shots and cover ground on the perimeter.

His shooting stood out during drills, where he displayed a quick release and legitimate range. Cumpata has the positional size to see over defenders while also possessing enough skill and smoothness to operate effectively with the ball.

Jayden Dozie | 5’11 PG | Niles North | 2028

Dozie showed a high level of skill with the basketball and consistently looked comfortable creating off the dribble. His handle was tight, allowing him to change directions and create separation without needing much space. He also showed a strong ability to shoot off the bounce, adding another layer to his offensive game.

Defensively, Dozie brought good activity and competed on the perimeter. His combination of ball skills, shot-making, and energy gives him plenty to build on as a junior guard.

Hunter Thiel | 6’7 PF | Glenbrook South | 2028

Thiel put together a strong showing and continues to look more comfortable in his frame. He has legitimate size and mobility for a junior frontcourt player, while his improved physicality allows him to play through contact more effectively. His footwork and feel around the basket also stood out.

Thiel rebounded his area well and consistently positioned himself to make plays around the paint. As his frame continues to develop, the combination of size, mobility, and interior feel gives him an intriguing foundation.

Verton Freeman | 6’1 SG | St. Viator | 2029

Freeman has a strong frame for a sophomore guard and played with noticeable activity throughout the event. He showed a willingness to attack the basket and used his physical tools well when getting downhill. He also did a good job absorbing contact and finishing through traffic.

The physical foundation is encouraging for a young guard. Freeman’s ability to get downhill and play through contact gives him a good starting point as he continues developing his perimeter skill set.

Mikey Schaechter | 6’1 PG | Vernon Hills | 2028

Schaechter showed good overall skill and a strong understanding of the game. He made quality reads when given touches, displayed plus vision as a passer, and showed the ability to organize an offense without forcing the action. His feel allows him to keep possessions moving and find teammates in good spots.

He also has the ability to knock down shots, giving him another way to contribute when defenses load up on his playmaking. Schaechter looks like a smart, skilled guard who can continue to grow into a larger offensive role.

Jack Hearn | 5’9 PG | New Trier | 2029

Hearn was one of the savvier young guards at the event. He showed excellent feel and looked particularly comfortable changing pace during drills, using his handle and timing to create advantages. His three-point shot also looked good, with a high arc and clean trajectory.

Despite being a young guard, Hearn plays with confidence and competitiveness. He scrapped for loose balls, stayed engaged defensively, and consistently looked like someone who understands how to impact possessions beyond scoring.

Ryan Hoste | 6’3 SG | DePaul Prep | 2028

Hoste showed a promising shooting profile throughout the event. His mechanics are sound, and he displayed the ability to consistently get into a comfortable shooting pocket. At 6-foot-3 with good positional length, he also has a physical profile that gives him room to continue developing as a perimeter player.

The combination of size, length, and shooting ability makes Hoste an intriguing junior wing to monitor. Continued growth in his overall offensive game should give him additional ways to impact the game beyond spacing the floor.

Tayte Cordova | 6’2 PG/SG | Warren | 2027

Cordova brought a competitive approach to every part of the event. He defended the ball with purpose, worked hard through drills, and showed enough strength to create advantages when attacking downhill. He also showed some comfort operating in ball-screen situations.

His willingness to compete and pressure the ball gives him a strong foundation. Cordova has the physicality to make plays as a driver while continuing to develop his overall offensive package.

Sean Ryan | 6’1 PG/SG | Maine South | 2028

Ryan’s shooting ability was the first thing that stood out. He has a smooth stroke and showed comfort operating within the flow of the offense rather than forcing possessions. He moved the ball, stayed active, and avoided allowing the offense to become stagnant when he was involved.

That ability to play within the offense should translate well alongside other creators. Ryan’s shooting gives him a clear role as a floor spacer, while his fluidity with the ball provides some upside as his game continues to develop.

Mason Markman | 6’3 SF | Glenbrook North | 2028

Markman continues to make progress with his perimeter skill set. His footwork and balance stood out during drills, particularly in his ability to play effectively off two feet. His shooting mechanics also looked noticeably smoother, giving him another area to build around offensively.

The junior wing remains a tough, competitive player who brings consistent effort on both ends. Markman plays hard, competes for possessions, and has continued to add skill to a physical foundation.