15 players from the Chicago area who could take a big leap this season
When taking in any individual showcase or “all-star” setting and using it as an evaluation tool, it’s not the most ideal.
That’s even more true when it involves 13-, 14- and 15-year-old basketball players. They aren’t all legitimate prospects, and they are far from being all-stars at this point.
Nonetheless, talent can shine through in glimpses without there necessarily being a whole lot of substance.
That’s always the case with the annual Pangos All-Midwest Frosh/Soph Camp. A few hundred players gathered at De La Salle over the weekend in a typical showcase setting, providing an opportunity for young players to be seen.
Several out-of-state prospects were the most impressive players in the event, including 6-11 sophomore Isaiah Hill from
Indianapolis, 6-11 freshman Dylan Betts out of Colorado and the best player of the weekend, 6-7 freshman Jordan Jackson from Louisville.
But here are 15 players from the Chicago area who turned heads and offered a peek of their impressive potential.
John Brown IV
Homewood-Flossmoor (Class of 2028)
Despite the typical build of what you see in any 6-6 freshman — he’s long, lanky and will need to add considerable strength — the touch, skill and upside are all there for the promising Brown.
Travis Brown
West Aurora (Class of 2027)
Slippery ball handler who plays with a natural feel and adds scoring ability as a 5-10 point guard.
Noah Corro
St. Laurence (Class of 2028)
A crafty, bucket-getting 6-foot guard who plays with confidence and can shoot with range.
Darrius Hawkins
Homewood-Flossmoor (Class of 2028)
The 5-10 point guard showed his poise and toughness this summer with the Vikings and again at Pangos. Hawkins is expected to play a significant role for the defending Class 4A state champs.
Da’Kylen Heard
Beasley, Chicago (Class of 2029)
He’s just an eighth-grader, but the 6-3 guard is impressive and arguably the best.
DeAndre Higgs
Thornton (Class of 2028)
A big, physical guard for his age, Higgs showed flashes in June while playing with the Wildcats and this past weekend.
Jacob Fuller
Glenbrook South (Class of 2027)
He has a big body and frame and is capable of stepping out and comfortably making shots from the three-point line.
Ronald Johnson
Amelia Earhart, Chicago (Class of 2029)
The 6-1 eighth-grader showed playmaking ability and looked like a player who appears to have all the capabilities to unlock new dimensions to his game.
Ethan Vahl
Oswego (Class of 2028)
A smooth 6-2 guard who is a versatile shot-creator and has the competence to make his teammates better with his feel for passing.
Amari Williams
Shepard (Class of 2028)
A real eye-opener at Pangos. He offers eye-popping size at 6-8 while pushing past 200 pounds and knows who he is as a low-post player. Williams will be an immediate factor for the Astros.
Kevinas and Danielius Salkauskas
Stagg (Class of 2027 – Kevinas; Class of 2028 – Danielius)
These two brothers impressed with their size and versatility over the weekend. Interestingly, however, they have taken a completely different approach in that they are not playing high school basketball.
Isaac Smith
Huth Middle School, Matteson (Class of 2029)
Even with being one of the youngest players at the Pangos camp, Smith opened eyes and is blessed with some impressive physical attributes as a 6-4 guard with length and that prospect look.
Roosevelt Thomas
De La Salle (Class of 2028)
Even in an all-star, open-gym setting, the 6-1 guard showed composure and an ability to see the floor.
Jeremiah Weatherford
Rich (Class of 2028)
The Raptors are loaded with talent, but the 5-11 combo guard’s game is free and easy. He will be ready to help sooner than later.