There was some elite talent this past weekend at the Chicago Classic. Here are some of the players who separated themselves from the rest.

Dallas Bear (Iowa Barnstormers 16U): Bear is a very versatile 6'8" forward on both ends. He has a ton of length and he applies it on both sides of the floor. On offense, he uses his length to shoot over defenders with a very high release point on his jump shot making it almost impossible to block. On defense, Bear uses his length to close out on shooters and block shots, he gets a ton of deflections and can guard wings and bigs.

Kade Benjamin (Iowa Barnstormers 16U): Benjamin is a versatile scorer inside and can do it in a variety of ways. Benjamin is a hard roller with soft hands and can finish around the rim. He can pick and pop to space the floor. The 6’6" 2023 forward can also turn face, and drive to the basket, or even go back to the basket and attack from the post like a traditional big.

Cade Brenner (Grassroots Indiana 16U): The 6’1 point guard has an incredibly high basketball IQ is super-efficient and picks his spots very well. Brenner can score from anywhere on the floor with or without the ball in his hands. He can shoot from anywhere on the floor and is a very smart passer always making the extra pass. Brenner has a strong handle and uses his body well when he finishes at the basket.

James Brown (Mac Irvin Fire 15U): The 6’9" forward was one of the most dominant players on the floor. Brown had to be doubled throughout the game because no one could guard him one-on-one. When the doubles came, he was a smart passer opening up the game for his teammates finding shooters and cutters. He is a very good athlete with a knack for blocking shots rising above everyone to do so. Brown looked like a man amongst boys and is continues to show he's one of the top 2024 players. 

Hunter Duncan (Team Rose 16U): Duncan is a great shooter with the ability to not only do it spotting up but also off the dribble. He is a strong pick and roll player who you always have to go over on screens. Duncan used his shooting and a quick first step to get into the paint and finish around the rim.

Kareem Earl (Iowa Barnstormers 15U): Earl has a high basketball IQ and is quick for his size. The 6’5" guard is great at attacking the rim. His blend of size and speed creates a mismatch for the defense making him very difficult to guard. Earl makes snap decisions and the offense never stagnates when he has the ball, he is always keeping the ball and offense moving and creates opportunities for his teammates.

Sam Haynes (Grassroots Indiana 16U): The 6’6" center is a lengthy big who plays even bigger. On offense, Haynes is a strong operator out of the post with a great hook shot. Off the ball, he is a smart screener helping his teammates get open and uses his length on the glass to get offensive boards and easy put back buckets.

Mike Jones (Team Rose 15U): Jones has an extremely high motor. He is a great athlete finishing through contact with no issues. The forward was able to blow by the larger defenders guarding him. On defense, he was able to disrupt the offense getting steals and blocks with ease locking down the paint.

Hudson Parker (Team M14 15U) Parker is a shifty guard who uses his ability to change speeds to get into the paint to create for himself and others. He is a crafty finisher with good footwork around the rim allowing him to finish around bigger defenders with unique release points on his layups. As a passer Parker is great at getting into the paint and kicking the ball out to open teammates.

JQ Roberts (Indiana Elite 16U): The 6’7" forward has elite athleticism and uses it well. Roberts has a high motor making him a great rebounder on both ends. He is great at following shots and getting putbacks. On offense, Roberts is a strong finisher contact does not bother him, Roberts can work from both back to the basket and operate on the perimeter. He has great ball skills for guard using his handle to blow by slower bigs and using his strength to move smaller guards. On defense, he can guard 1 through 5 with his quick feet and active hands, he is always engaged and gets a lot of blocks because of it.

Jehvion Starwood (Illinois Wolves 15U): At 6’3", Starwood has incredible speed for his size. The 2024 guard constantly beat the press the opposing team put on him by himself. In the half court setting he used his quickness and size to score in a variety of ways by the rim, Starwood was comfortable finishing in traffic eating contact, contorting his body to find an opening through the trees, and he looked very comfortable going to his floater over the defense.

Asa Thomas (Illinois Wolves 16U): The 6’5 2023 guard is a sharpshooter. Thomas is an elite catch-and-shoot guy who moves well off the ball using screens to get open and knock down threes. He uses his shooting to open up the rest of his game getting into the paint using his high IQ and strong vision to create for others. On defense, he has a nose for the ball using his length to help rebound and get into passing lanes.

Sonny Williams (Illinois Wolves 16U): Williams was one of the quickest players on the floor defenders had a ton of trouble staying in front of him. the 6’0 2023 point guard finished strong at the rim and was able to attack from mid-range. Williams could not be kept out of the paint and if he was not at the rim, he was kicking it out to open shooters on the perimeter. On defense, he was always the first one back, stopping the ball and preventing easy baskets.

Caden Wilkins (Iowa Barnstormers 15U): The 6’5" 2024 forward relentlessly attacked the rim and is incredible at drawing fouls. Wilkins is strong has a good handle and loves to get into the paint, he chooses his spots well and rarely forces shots. On the perimeter, defenders have to make sure to put a hand up because Wilkins will pull the trigger on catch and shoot threes when left open. He is a quality rebounder, especially on offense.