The underclassmen group featured talent from across several classes and different parts of the Chicagoland area. Of the attendees in that group, here are the evaluations from the 35+ players.

Shirts

Bennett Meier (6’4 SG, St. Laurence 2030)

Meier continues to flash a ton of potential as an athletic, skilled wing. He shot the ball well during drills and showed a similar, smooth release during live segments. Already at 6-foot-4, he has great positional height and length that allows him to get tips and block shots out of the backcourt. Meier has solid ball skills and can really attack closeouts well at this stage. As he continues to add strength and muscle, Meier is going to be a big-time player in the 2030 class.

Carter Drennan (6’3 SF/PF, Plainfield North 2029)

It was a very good day on both ends for Drennan, who is listed at 6-foot-3 but looks like he is far from done growing. He was challenging shots well defensively and made extra-effort plays throughout the live segments. Drennan hit some catch-and-shoot looks and was able to get out in transition for a few finishes. I like his energy level and willingness to do the little things to try to affect winning.

Christian Dulinsky (6’6 PF, Joliet Catholic 2030)

There are tools that Dulinsky possesses that you just don’t see from many 6-foot-6 freshmen. His touch and ability to shoot the ball from the mid-range or while extending beyond the arc are worth tracking. During the scrimmages, he did a lot of his damage around the rim as a lob and dunker’s spot outlet, also getting a few putbacks after attacking the ball off the rim. Dulinsky has advanced mobility and footwork on both ends, looking like a true defensive stopper against bigs and wings alike. Another talented freshman at the event to keep an eye on.

Cody Rader (5’11 PG, Geneva 2029)

Rader ran the show for his team during the scrimmage portion. He was very aggressive looking for his shot, hitting several threes off the bounce, working in ball screens to create advantages, and putting his head down to get into the lane. Rader has great feel and anticipates rotations well, finding teammates around the rim on cuts or when guys snuck in behind the second line of the defense. He also showed good effort on the ball defensively and helped spur some fast-break opportunities with his activity. Rader should have a big sophomore year for Geneva.

Gavin Garst (6’1 SG, Downers Grove South 2028)

A returning varsity player for DGS, Garst showed some of his shooting ability during the drill portions of the event. He has a good understanding of spacing and has range a few feet beyond the arc. During the scrimmages, he found his teammates in the flow of the offense for some quality looks and had his feet set to fire off open looks from the perimeter. He will be one of the top shooters for the Mustangs this year.

Kellan Collins (5’10 PG/SG, Downers Grove North 2028)

There weren’t many players in either group who showed the level of competitive fire and hustle that Collins brought. He was the first to the ground for loose balls, picked up in the full court to apply ball pressure, and was fighting for rebounds against players who had size advantages on him. Collins is an agitator defensively, but he also added value on straight-line drives and was confident stepping into threes. As he continues to become more consistent from the perimeter, he provides the type of tenacity and win-first mentality that is a staple at DGN.

RJ Bigenwald (6’5 SF, Lyons 2029)

Only a sophomore, Bigenwald has good length and budding skill. During drills, he showed solid mechanics as a shooter and was moving well in open space. That ability to move his feet was evident in the 5-on-5 play as well, looking good sliding to stay in front of the ball and cutting off the ball. It looks like he is going to be a reliable straight-line driver who uses long strides when he puts it on the deck. I like Bigenwald’s frame and think he will become a plus wing defender who is able to stretch the floor a bit. One of several promising young LaGrange-area prospects.

Neon

Caleb Kruse (6’1 PG/SG, Wheaton North 2028)

A solid, well-rounded guard, Kruse looked good as a primary decision-maker for long stretches of the day. His change of pace and first step complement his toughness and physical strength when he is operating with the ball. Kruse used his body well to maintain angles and regularly finished in traffic. Kruse is a good outside shooter who has a strong base and repeatable release. He hit sidestep and pull-up threes off the bounce and was a threat to knock down shots off ball reversals as well. I am high on Kruse’s defensive intensity as well and think his makeup will be a welcome addition at Wheaton North.

Jack Hearn (5’9 PG, New Trier 2029)

Skill, IQ, and competitiveness should never be taken for granted, particularly in showcase settings. Hearn worked both on and off the ball at times, knocking down a bunch of catch-and-shoot looks and providing value as a playmaker. He sees things develop a play or two ahead of time and uses that vision to manipulate the defense as a passer. His team had several quality shooters, and he did a nice job of making sure everyone got quality looks. Hearn continues to trend up as a true lead guard.

Luke Hardman (6’2 SF, Downers Grove North 2030)

Hardman’s energy and effort were notable. He used his body well to cut off other guards and wings and was able to slow down some solid scorers on the opposing teams. At 6-foot-2, Hardman has positional size and some athleticism for a freshman to utilize on the glass as well. He shot the ball fairly well throughout the day, making a few triples during scrimmages and looking reliable when he had his feet set.

Luke O’Reilly (6’7 PF, St. Ignatius 2029)

Even at 6-foot-7, O’Reilly impressed with his face-up game. He has a smooth jumper at his size and was making plays from the perimeter all game. When he got middle touches, he worked in dribble handoff actions or faced up to take 15-footers. The St. Ignatius product also flexed out to the three-point line several times without hesitation and drove the ball well against other bigs. He is going to be a mismatch problem as he continues to fill out.

Max Michaels (6’4 SF, 2031)

The only eighth grader at the event, Michaels had a really good showing on both ends. As a shooter, he was burying open looks at a high clip with a quick release and plenty of range. He gets good arc on his shot and has the off-the-dribble game to keep defenders honest. Michaels already shows promising movement and athletic potential, but the way that he defended in space and on the block was worth noting for a player his age. He was active with his hands, took bumps to the chest, and competed to get stops. Michaels is the real deal.

Murphy Kitley (6’2 SG, OPRF 2028)

Kitley was slashing to the rim at will, looking especially effective in space where he used a slick handle and good speed to collapse the defense. When he got inside, he had some acrobatic finishes and used different angles to get shots off. Even some of the better defenders at the event struggled to regularly keep him out of the lane. Kitley knocked down a few jumpers as well, but his downhill game was what really stood out during the event.

Orange

Alex Hesch (6’4 SF/PF, York 2028)

Hesch was doing it all and did so with a high level of effort. His intangibles stood out, working hard to rebound in traffic, pushing in transition, guarding multiple spots, and communicating throughout the event. At 6-foot-4, Hesch is a long-armed wing who cuts and drives it well in direct lines. He used some counters at the rim and also stepped outside for a few standstill threes when he had space. But his sheer activity when it was time to get a loose ball or rotate over to X out of the weak side was great to see. Hesch should be a nice multi-purpose piece for the Dukes this year.

David Pauliukonis (6’7 PF, Benet 2030)

Another one of the promising, long-term freshmen in attendance, Pauliukonis flashed a ton of perimeter skill for a player who will probably end up in the 6-foot-10-plus range. While he is still filling out his frame, he ripped through from the wing well to get to the rim for layups or stop-and-pop for pull-ups. He has a sweet stroke from the outside with excellent touch. When he needed to switch defensively onto guards, he had a few moments where he was able to contain and force contested jumpers. The upside is clear for the rangy, 6-foot-7 forward.

Fitz McDermott (6’3 PG/SG, St. Ignatius 2029)

McDermott was one of the more impressive players across both groups with how well he created his own shot, guarded the ball, and made positive things happen out of broken plays. His one-on-one ability shined, with a natural ability to get defenders on their heels and get to his spots before elevating well. McDermott made tough pull-ups in the mid-range area, shot the three well off a variety of actions, and showed good footwork inside to score on step-throughs. I really appreciated how much pride he seemed to take in affecting other guards with his defense as well. McDermott is going to emerge as a promising prospect for Ignatius.

Grady Ruane (6’1 SG, Lockport 2028)

Ruane’s hard-nosed nature made a great impact on his team as the showcase continued. A rugged, smart guard, Ruane made guys work for quality looks and was all over the glass, despite giving up some height. He facilitated well on the offensive end off dribble penetration and played off two feet well in traffic. Most of his scoring came on downhill drives and out in transition, where he showed some real grit. Ruane should be a nice piece for a very good Lockport team.

Reid MacDonald (6’3 PG/SG, Fremd 2029)

MacDonald may have been the purest shooter at the event. The growing, 6-foot-3 guard was on fire from three, mixing in catch-and-shoot looks off kick-outs, ball reversals, and handoffs. His release point and rotation allow him to effortlessly drill deep shots without sacrificing his efficiency. He also did a great job of getting out in transition, using his long strides to beat other guards down the floor for layups. MacDonald is a crafty, creative finisher who uses all kinds of fakes inside to get defenders off balance. He has already made good progress in putting on muscle since last year, but he has a chance to be one of the best players in the MSL as he physically matures.

Ryan Sorich (6’2 SG, St. Ignatius 2029)

Sorich shot the ball well and was solid across the board during the scrimmages. For much of the day, he spaced well in the corners and on the wings, making timely 45-degree cuts and connecting on open catch-and-shoot looks. Sorich has decent height for a guard and seems to have a good sense for how to make things happen in the flow of the offense without forcing the issue. Another St. Ignatius player from the event, Sorich contributed well to the team with the most wins on the day.

Sam Hardman (5’10 PG, Downers Grove North 2030)

Despite being only a freshman, Hardman looks like a point guard who is made for the big moment. He was one of the event’s top defenders, compiling a ton of steals on the ball and frustrating other guards with his quick hands and aggressiveness. On numerous occasions, he simply took the ball out of the hands of ball-handlers. Offensively, Hardman made a few threes off the catch, kept his dribble alive well, and played with his head up to get others involved. Nothing seems to shake him, and he responded well to aggressive ball-screen coverages or tight defenders. He is going to be a good one.

Red

Beckett Shelton (6’0 SG, Plainfield North 2029)

Shelton is a deadeye shooter from Plainfield North who really shined during the half-court segments with his shot-making and quick decision-making. He was either letting it fly from three or driving it hard in straight lines to get inside. Shelton looks like he is going to continue to grow and already has an elite-level skill with his outside stroke. After gaining some valuable varsity experience as a freshman, Shelton should take another step forward.

Charlie Rawleigh (6’4 PF, York 2029)

Throughout the scrimmages, Rawleigh provided some production on the interior and had some nice moments along the perimeter. He was primarily used as a rebounder, screener, and baseline cutter who could finish off dump-offs. Rawleigh also hit a pop three and worked in DHO actions fairly well. He didn’t need touches to make an impact and was willing to do the dirty work during the scrimmages.

Goran Davidovic (6’4 PG/SG, Lake Forest Academy 2028)

A transfer from Canada, Davidovic displayed a high level of skill as a 6-foot-4 lead guard. Operating out of isolation situations and ball screens for stretches, he attacked switches well, used stepbacks and size-up moves to get separation, and hit some difficult shots on the move. He used a long list of counter moves in his bag to break down the defense, showing athleticism and strength as a driver as well. There is a lot to like about his long-term potential with his size, skill, and creativity.

Jonny Udoiwod (6’1 PG, Geneva 2029)

Udoiwod is a talented scoring guard who made his presence felt just as much as a disruptor on the defensive end. He was reading eyes and jumping into passing lanes all day, turning them into layups on the other end. As an offensive threat, he worked in space to get into the middle third of the floor and hit short jumpers or finish through contact. His speed and quickness to change direction are next-level and blend well with his ball-handling ability to manufacture looks. Expect Udoiwod, who transferred back to Geneva this year, to be a big-time addition.

Mason Molis (6’2 SG, Hinsdale Central 2030)

Only a freshman, Molis has promising physical tools to work with going forward. He is well-built with plus athleticism and a nose for scoring. He looked good driving it hard to his strong hand and provided some athletic punch in transition. He didn’t take a ton of shots during the scrimmages but showed plenty of ability to get separation and put pressure on the rim. I would expect him to have a great career with the Red Devils as he progresses.

Mason White (5’10 PG, Lincoln-Way West 2030)

White, a heady point guard from Lincoln-Way Central, was one of only a few freshman point guards in attendance. He sees the floor well and has a crafty handle and shiftiness to him that should play well in time. White is a solid shooter who has some ability as a pull-up shooter and can make stop-and-pop shots when in rhythm.

Noah Hester (6’5 SF, Taft 2028)

A versatile forward, Hester was able to contribute as an inside-out threat. Hester made several hesitation pull-up shots from the mid-range and used his body to score with his back to the basket when he had good matchups in the post. He can handle it a bit in space and has no issue pushing by himself in transition. Defensively, Hester was one of the better rim protectors of the day, with a few emphatic blocks while altering several other looks. He should take another big step forward this year.

Patch Farrell (6’1 SG, St. Francis 2029)

Farrell’s ability to function efficiently on or off the ball will serve him well during his time at St. Francis. His jump shot looked good early on during drills, with compact mechanics and a release that doesn’t waste any motion. He is a physical kid for a sophomore and uses that frame well to hold his ground after beating guys to spots as a defender. Farrell is a willing passer who makes split-second decisions to swing it, shoot it, or drive it hard, where he has floaters and contact finishes to use in the paint. I remain very high on his composure, toughness, and IQ on both ends.

Yellow

Alex Reveliotis (6’4 SF/PF, Hinsdale Central 2030)

Reveliotis flashed a ton of versatility and long-term upside, working both on the wing and inside of 10 feet. He was able to take defensive rebounds coast to coast for layups, using some good ball skills and maintaining his balance on the move to finish. He also mixed in some spot-up jumpers and drove it well off the catch from the wing. His length gave him an edge to affect passing lanes and challenge shots, which looks to be an area where he could potentially switch across multiple positions over time. Reveliotis looks like he is still growing as well, which should add to his long-term value.

Daniel Jankus (6’4 SF/PF, Downers Grove South 2029)

A physical, floor-spacing forward, Jankus was very impressive during the drill portion. There is an ease with which he shoots it from the perimeter, knocking down shots at a high clip when he gets his feet set. But he is also capable of shot-faking and attacking closeouts, where he really uses his size well to seek out contact and go up strong. Jankus worked hard on the glass on both ends and worked in whatever role was needed offensively based on who was on the floor. I am looking forward to seeing Jankus develop with the Mustangs.

Georgie Kirsch (5’9 PG, Riverside Brookfield 2029)

Kirsch was distributing at a high level throughout the scrimmages, able to get guys wide-open looks in transition and off his drives. The scrappy guard never stopped moving offensively, cutting well to open space, driving with purpose, and sprinting to open space beyond the arc, where he ended up hitting some spot-up looks. Where he really differentiated himself was on the defensive end, where he was forcing turnovers, getting tips, and showing the ability to power slide to stay in front of the ball. Kirsch is a true competitor at the point guard spot.

Jon Romano (6’2 PG/SG, Benet 2030)

Romano fits the mold of a modern, scoring combo guard. He has good positional height for a freshman, shoots it at a high clip on the move, and has budding athleticism to play at and above the rim. Though he has the ability to create in isolation situations, he was incredibly effective at making quick decisions while the defense was in motion. He made numerous catch-and-shoot threes out of split actions and was able to run his lane in transition for some easy ones. Romano is a natural shot-maker who should continue to move in the right direction as an all-around guard.

Kyle Nazos (6’0 PG/SG, Batavia 2028)

There is a lot to like about Nazos as a guard prospect down the line. A lethal shooter with his feet set, Nazos was pouring in threes whenever he got space. He does a great job of setting his feet quickly and can sprint into shots off the ball. When he wasn’t filling it up from three, Nazos found cutters and bigs at the rim with on-time deliveries. He also stood his ground defensively and made some extra-effort plays to get 50/50 balls. Nazos is just a solid, shot-making guard who knows how to play.

Matt Cowen (6’4 SG, Plainfield East 2028)

Cowen was one of the winners of the day, showing serious defensive impact, slashing ability, and shooting range. During the drills, his outside shooting was evident, making threes on the move and creating space well for long-range shots. Once 5-on-5 started, he was all over the floor defensively, blocking several shots off the glass, turning ball-handlers, and closing out under control. On his touches, he got to the rim with ease using great footwork, fakes, and angles to penetrate the defense. Cowen has nice touch and feel around the rim to convert inside. Expect him to have a huge year at Plainfield East.

Ryan Winters (6’5 SF/PF, York 2029)

A growing, 6-foot-5 forward who has a nice blend of skill, Winters made a good impression all day. He is very comfortable shooting the ball from the outside, with a high release and some initial ability to turn into shots on the move. Winters capitalized on some of those clean looks and also remained active on the offensive glass, keeping balls alive. Athletically, he moves well, covers ground quickly, and elevates around the rim to rebound and challenge shots. It is still early, but I think Winters is just scratching the surface of how good he can be, and I think his size, athleticism, and skill level are going to make him a big-time player down the line.

William Heisler (6’0 PG/SG, Lockport 2030)

Heisler worked primarily as a playmaker for his team during scrimmages, beating initial defenders and making the right reads when help came over. In transition, he possesses blow-by speed and changes direction well to weave through crowds. Heisler knocked down a three off the dribble in transition as well, but did most of his damage off drives and cuts. There are terrific tools defensively, with the intelligence, anticipation, length, and quickness to disrupt things. Heisler is a talented two-way guard who is going to be a good one for Lockport.