I was in Lisle over the weekend to watch Tyler Pearson’s Hidden Gems camp that featured players from around the Chicagoland area. It was a well-run event with several trainers helping with the camp and some breakout sessions with educational material for parents. Between the two groups, here are some of the players who stood out.

Jake Levin (5’11 G, Deerfield 2030)

Levin is a good-looking young guard with a strong frame for a freshman and the athleticism to make plays in traffic. He attacks the basket with physicality and good body control, showing an ability to navigate crowds and finish through contact. He also looks like a solid shooter, particularly when coming off stampede catches and attacking in a straight line. I like how he uses angles to create advantages rather than simply relying on his athleticism.

Levin’s physical tools translate defensively, where he does a good job holding his ground and competing within his position. He moves well laterally and has the strength to make life difficult for opposing guards. There is plenty to like about his early profile, especially his ability to play physically on both ends while contributing as a perimeter shooter.

Verton Freeman (6’1 G, St. Viator 2029)

Freeman is a physical guard who showed well in the open floor. He is a solid athlete who can play above the rim and looks most comfortable when pushing the pace or putting his head down to attack the basket. He has the strength to get into defenders and create opportunities around the rim, while his shooting mechanics appear to be coming along.

Freeman has the physical tools to develop into an impact defender. His strength and athleticism should allow him to compete against different types of perimeter players, and he has the build to be disruptive when pressuring the ball. Continued growth as a perimeter shooter and decision-maker will help round out his game.

Michael Bader (6’0 PG, New Trier 2029)

Bader is a skilled guard with a good feel for the game. His three-point release looked sound, and he showed the ability to play effectively in both his primary session and the older group. He understands how to operate within an offense, makes good decisions with the ball, and consistently looks to make the extra pass rather than forcing his own offense. His overall approach reflects a guard who knows how to play.

Bader also brings activity and length defensively, using his long arms to disrupt actions in the gaps. He has the instincts to anticipate plays and make himself useful away from the ball, while his feel and decision-making help him contribute in multiple roles. His combination of skill, awareness, and defensive activity should continue to serve him well as he develops.

Eissa Khan (5’11 G, Hersey 2030)

Khan showed some encouraging shooting ability, with a good-looking outside stroke and the ability to elevate into jumpers off the dribble. He was effective during drills as a movement shooter, demonstrating some comfort getting into his shot while on the move. He also has some initial ball-handling skills to build on, giving him a starting point for developing into a more versatile perimeter threat.

Khan is still developing, but there are positive signs in his shooting mechanics and offensive skill set. Continued work on his handle and ability to create advantages against live defenders should help him become more effective with the ball in his hands. He has room to grow, and I expect his game to continue progressing as he gains experience.

Jayden Simon (6’2 G/F, Stevenson 2029)

Simon is a lanky wing with intriguing long-term upside. His length stands out immediately, and he showed an ability to cover ground defensively while using his reach to contest and block shots. He has the rangy profile to impact possessions around the perimeter and inside, giving him some versatility on that end of the floor.

Offensively, Simon is a capable ball handler who showed flashes of slashing ability. His length and mobility give him some tools to develop as a player who can attack closeouts and make plays in space. As he continues to add strength and refine his offensive game, he has the potential to become an interesting two-way prospect.

Rayvon Nelson (5’10 G, De La Salle 2029)

Nelson is a talented guard with a crafty handle and the ability to create shots in difficult situations. He is shifty, comfortable improvising, and showed that he can make tough looks even when the defense stays attached. He also has a natural ability to get inside and finish, using his handle and creativity to find openings in the paint.

The next step for Nelson is learning to simplify his attacks and consistently get to his best options. He has plenty of offensive ability, but becoming more deliberate with his decisions will help him turn that creativity into more efficient possessions. If he can balance his improvisational skill with a more controlled approach, he has a chance to become a productive guard.

Jared Van Donselaar (6’7 F, Grayslake North 2028)

Van Donselaar continues to show encouraging progress as a mobile forward with perimeter skill. He demonstrated shooting touch during drills, including the ability to knock down spot-up jumpers from 15 to 18 feet, and showed a useful mid-post face-up game. He also had some good moments attacking along the baseline and displayed ball-handling ability when pushing the ball after defensive rebounds. His athleticism appears to be improving, adding to his versatility.

I remain high on Van Donselaar’s long-term potential and expect him to take another step this season. His ability to face up, shoot from the perimeter, and make plays off the bounce gives him several ways to contribute beyond the interior. Continued growth as an athlete and increased consistency in live play could help him put together a strong junior season.

Landon Lethunya (6’9 F, Lake Forest Academy 2027)

Lethunya is an explosive forward who brings real vertical athleticism to the frontcourt. He finished above the rim with ease and was particularly effective as a roll man and dunker’s-spot target, giving guards a reliable option around the basket. He also ran the floor extremely well, creating opportunities in transition before the defense could get organized. His touch on spot-up jumpers was encouraging for a player with his size and athletic profile.

Lethunya’s impact was just as noticeable defensively. His length and springiness allowed him to affect nearly everything around the rim, contesting shots and making the paint a difficult place for opponents to operate. His ability to run, finish, and protect the basket gives him a clear role, and his perimeter shooting touch adds another element to monitor.

Landon Reiner (5’10 G, Loyola 2028)

Reiner is a crafty guard who showed a strong feel for creating opportunities for others. He shot the ball well during stretches, with good arc on his jumper, and stood out as a creative passer who sees the floor and anticipates openings. He can deliver accurate passes off the bounce and showed an ability to make plays in transition, where his vision and instincts help him take advantage of a moving defense.

Reiner also showed some activity defensively, using his hands to disrupt opposing guards and get involved away from the ball. His creativity and passing ability give him value as a playmaker, while his shooting can help keep defenders honest. I expect him to have a nice junior season for Loyola as he continues to develop his overall offensive consistency.

Mikey Schaecter (6’1 G, Vernon Hills 2028)

Schaecter had some productive stretches as a scorer while showing the ability to contribute both on and off the ball. He is a good shooter and playmaker who understands how to balance those responsibilities, making sound decisions when the defense collapses and finding teammates in the drive-and-kick game. He also ran the floor well for easy scoring opportunities and showed impressive body control and touch when finishing around the basket.

Schaecter’s versatility should serve him well as he enters his first varsity season. He can space the floor, create for others, and attack openings without needing to dominate the ball. His ability to make decisions in traffic and finish creatively gives him additional value beyond his perimeter shooting, and I think he has a chance to open some eyes for Vernon Hills this year.

Tommy Hills (6’2 G, Barrington 2028)

Hills is a strong guard who uses his physicality effectively when attacking the basket. He shot the ball well in both drills and live play, and his improved mechanics have helped him become a more efficient threat from three. He also showed a solid pull-up game when attacking closeouts, but he was at his best when putting his head down, using his frame to create separation, and scoring inside 10 feet.

Hills has useful defensive value as well. His lower-body strength helps him hold his position, while his activity allows him to stay involved in plays on the perimeter. As his shooting continues to improve, his ability to attack closeouts and play through contact should make him a difficult guard to contain.

Graham Lis (6’1 G, Lake Forest Academy)

Lis has made significant strides physically and in his overall game. He is attacking with more urgency, particularly when driving to his strong hand, and showed some creativity as a finisher around the basket. He also appears more comfortable handling pressure, an encouraging sign for a guard who is continuing to develop his ability to initiate offense. His compact shooting stroke looked good, and he showed confidence taking catch-and-shoot threes.

Lis is trending in a positive direction and looks capable of becoming a solid guard for Lake Forest Academy. His improved comfort with the ball and confidence as a perimeter shooter give him ways to contribute in different roles. Continued development in his decision-making and ability to finish against set defenses should help him become a more dependable offensive option.

Deji Babawande (6’6 F, Amundson 2027)

Babawande continues to move closer to realizing his potential. He was effective around the paint during scrimmages, showing activity near the rim on both ends and finishing several opportunities above the basket. His length helped him keep possessions alive on the glass, while his ability to contest shots made it difficult for opponents to score inside. He also showed good agility when changing ends, allowing him to cover ground and stay involved in transition.

There are encouraging signs that Babawande’s game extends beyond his interior activity, as his shooting form is not bad and offers something to build on. For now, his length, energy, and effectiveness around the basket give him clear ways to impact games. He still appears to be scratching the surface of what he can become, and continued development could unlock more of his potential.

Albert Lee (6’0 G, Vernon Hills 2028)

Lee’s shooting is his biggest strength, and he showed the ability to make shots both off the catch and off the dribble. He was consistently shot ready, whether spotting up on the perimeter or working into pull-up opportunities. He also attacked from the wings at times and showed some value as a secondary playmaker, giving him ways to contribute when he is not the primary option.

Lee looks like a useful piece for Vernon Hills because of his ability to space the floor and make quick decisions. His shooting should help create room for teammates, while his secondary playmaking gives him a chance to do more than simply finish possessions. Continued consistency in his off-the-dribble game could make him an even more versatile guard.

Nate Rouse (6’6 F, St. Viator 2027)

Rouse brings good size and skill to the frontcourt, with a perimeter game that stood out during drills. He showed a sound release from three and the touch to operate as a face-up threat, giving him value beyond the paint. He also appears to have gotten quicker on the perimeter, which should help him become more effective when defending away from the basket and creating offense against closeouts. During scrimmages, he ran the floor well and had stretches where he rebounded effectively.

Rouse also showed that he can use his frame to score inside, converting several opportunities through contact. His ability to shoot, face up, and contribute around the basket gives him some offensive versatility as a forward. The improved perimeter mobility is an encouraging development, particularly as he looks to make an impact on both ends during his senior season.

Carter Hart (6’1 G, Deerfield 2027)

Hart is a rangy guard who brings strong defensive value. He was active both on the ball and as a gap defender, using his lateral quickness and hands to disrupt opposing players and make it difficult to find clean driving lanes. He is a plus athlete with the mobility to cover ground and the instincts to get involved in different areas of the defense.

Offensively, Hart looked most effective when attacking the basket. He has a solid first step and the athleticism to pressure the paint as a slasher, giving him a clear way to contribute without needing to rely on jump shots. I expect him to be one of the seniors in the rotation for a young Deerfield team, with his defensive activity and ability to get downhill providing important value.