As we continue to cover the entire scope of basketball, we were recently in Chicago for the Elite Classic. There was so much talent in the building that we had to produce this recap into two parts, here is part 1.
Cardinal Ritter
Clayton Jackson (2024 G) - Was very efficient shooting the ball this game. At one point in the 2nd quarter, he went on a personal 9-0 run, including a CNS three from the top of the key and a pull up from the right wing in transition. He was also able to put the ball on the floor and make pull up jumpers or get to the rim throught traffic. He finished with with 20 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
Quenton Parker (2024 F) - Made multiple plays in transition as well as creating turnovers on the defensive end. He showcased his athleticism in transition after a steal, finishing with an athletic one hand dunk. He also had some offensive rebounds which he converted for putbacks. Defensively, he was all over the floor racking up steals, deflections, and blocks. He finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks.
Derrick Rivers (2024 G) - Rivers showcased his ability to make jumpers off of the dribble as well as spotting up. All four of his field goals came from behind the arc: two CNS threes from the left wing, and two deep pull up threes from the right wing. He also did a good job of pushing his defensive rebounds up the floor in transition. He finished with 13 points, 2 assists and 3 rebounds.
Whitney Young
Damajay Richardson (2025 G) - The quick guard was effective getting to and finishing at the rim, as well as creating opportunities in transition. He was also able to make pull up jumpers in the mid range going to his right. Richardson also displayed quick hands defensively, swiping at ball handlers and getting steals. He finished with 15 points, 2 rebounds and 3 steals.
Marquis Clark (2026 G) - Displayed his awareness defensively and hustle. One play that stood out, he beat the offense down the floor in transition and was able to swipe the ball away from his opponent preventing an easy layup. He also made a CNS three from the left wing as well as some transition layups. He finished with 11 points and 2 steals.
Antonia Munoz (2025 F) - The big man made his presence felt in the paint on both ends of the floor in this game. He used his long arms and leaping ability to protect the rim and had an impressive chase down block in transition. He also showed off his vertical on lob in the half court. He finished with 12 points, 8 rebounds(2 offensive) and 4 blocks.
Sean Brown (2024 G) - The senior guard made an impact in this game without having to score the ball much. He kept the ball moving offensively with good passes and crashing the glass. He found open teammates on drive and kicks as well as passing ahead in transition. Defensively, he was able to get his hands on the ball and create turnovers. He finished with 3 points, 7 rebounds(2 offensive), 5 assists and 2 steals.
Gonzaga
Derek Dixon (2025 G) - Did a good job of feeding his big man off of dribble penetration and in the post. He had an impressive behind the back pass in transition to a cutting player and made multiple pocket passes in the pick and roll. He also did a good job of attacking the offensive glass. He was active in the passing lanes and took a steal for a layup in transition. He finished with 8 points, 4 rebounds(3 offensive), 6 assists and a steal.
Nykolas Lewis (2025 G) - Made multiple plays defensively picking up steals and deflections and finishing in transition. He also did a good job of kicking out to shooters off of dribble penetration as well as after offensive rebounds. He finished with 5 points, 6 rebounds(2 offensive) and 3 steals.
William Harper (2025 G) - Harper showed his ability to make plays in transition as well as hit shots from behind the arc. He made 3 three pointers, all CNS. He was also able to put the ball on the floor when chased off of the three point line and made a nice running floater on the right baseline. He displayed impressive leaping ability on a help side block, seemingly coming out of nowhere.
Christian Gurdak (2025 C) - Used his size to impact the game in the paint and on the glass. He primarily scored on putbacks on the offensive glass, but was also able to finish through contact in the pick and roll for multiple and-1 opportunities. He finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds(9 offensive).
Homewood-Flossmor
Carson Brownfield (2024 G) - Did a good job of finding open teammates after dribble penetration, finding the big for dump passes and kicking out to shooters in the corner. He showed the ability to take his man off of the dribble with a R-L cross and finished through contact at the rim. He finished with 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Gianni Cobb (2024 G) - Showed his ability to use change of pace to get to past his defender and to the rim. He used a nice hesitation move at the top of the key to blow by his defender and finish at the rim for an and-1. He also displayed his ability to spot up from behind the arc and made a deep CNS three pointer from the top of the key.
Pace Academy
MJ Madison (2026 F) - The athletic big man showcased his ability to make plays in transition, passing the ball ahead and getting it back for an impressive lob on one play. He also made a CNS jumper from the left elbow coming off of a screen. He finished with 10 points on 5-6 shooting, with 4 rebounds, 2 assists and a block.
Kyle Greene Jr. (2024 G) - Impacted the game in all areas: scoring, passing, and on defense. He showcased his ability to make shots from behind the arc making a CNS three from the right wing and a contested step back from the top of the key. He was able to consistently get to the rim and get fouled or pass out to the open shooter in the corners. Defensively he was able to get his hands on the ball and caused multiple turnovers. He finished the game with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks.
Eric Chatfield Jr. (2025 G) - Displayed his ability to consistently find open teammates and give them good passes to put them in scoring opportunities. He also displayed his ability to make shots on the perimeter, making a pull up midrange jumper and a CNS from the top of the key. Defensively, he was the point of attack defender in the press and showed his ability to get steals on the ball in the press. He finished with 7 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals.
Chandler Bing (2025 F) - The forward made an impact in this game on the offensive glass and finishing in the paint. When getting the ball inside, he was able to finish through contact at the rim consistently. He finished with 14 points, 5 rebounds(4 offensive), 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block.
LJ Moore (2024 F) - Was active in the passing lanes, and got numerous deflections in the press. He was able to get easy opportunities at the rim from passes from his guards, but also showed the ability to pass out of traffic to open teammates on the perimeter. He finished with 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal.
Hyde Park
Jurrell Baldwin (2024 G/F) - Good size for a wing, listed at 6’7, and showcased a good handle and skillset for his size. He was aggressive looking for his shot and getting to the free throw line. He had a CNS three from the right corner, and a putback off of an offensive rebound. He had one play in particular that stood out to me, he pump faked to get his defender in the air, then did a good job of keeping his dribble low to avoid the swiping hands of the defender, then he used a pro hop to past the defender in the pain for a layup with his right hand. He finished with 14 points and 8 rebounds(2 offensive).
Germaine Benson (2024 G) - Showed his ability to keep his handle and beat the full court press to make plays for his team. When he was able to get to the rim he finished well through contact. He also did a good job of finding the open man through the press for easy assists. He finished with 8 points, 7 rebounds(3 offensive), and 3 assists.
Sidwell Friends
Caleb Williams (2024 F) - He has a solid frame and long arms and he used them to score post as well as from beyond the arc. He had two spot up threes from each corner and attacked mismatches in the post. He also showed the ability to put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim, as well as make the kick out pass once the defense focused on him. He finished with 15 points, 2 rebounds, adn 2 assists.
Acaden Lewis (2025 G) - He routinely found open teammates on drive and kicks as well as finding cutters. He made a nice pass from the top of the key, over the defense to the cutter for the game winning layup. He was aggressive attacking the rim and finding ways to score the ball. He laso made a spot up three from the right wing. He lead his team with 17 points and 4 assists, and also had 6 rebounds.
Jalen Rougier-Roane (2025 G) - He made a pair of spot up three pointers from each wing and was active on the offensive glass, including a put back through contact. He made a smart cut from the corner with seconds left on the clock for the game winning layup. He had 10 points and led his team with 7 rebounds.
Curie
Will Gonzalez (2024 G) - Good height and length. He showcased his ability to shoot the ball from well beyond the three point line, even when contested. He also showed the ability to put the ball on the floor and make the kick out pass when the defense committed to him. He was able to use his length on the other end of the floor to get a block as well. He finished with 11 points, 3 rebounds, a pair of assists and a block.
Mason Minor (2024 G) - He displayed the ability to control the pace and make the right play for his team. He consistently made good passes to set his teammates up for easy scoring opportunities. He made a good entry pass to the post to set the big up for an easy basket, as well as skip pass over the defense to the shooter in the corner for another assist. He finished with 6 points and 4 assists.
Carlos Harris III (2024 G) - He showed his ability to rebound the ball on the defensive end and push it up the floor for transition opportunities. He was aggressive attacking the rim and getting fouled. He also was able to find open teammates off of the dribble. He finished with 8 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Until next time...