Freshman Showcase: Immediate Takeaways – MVP | First Team Honors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Illinois Freshman Showcase, held this past weekend at Supreme Courts, brought together top freshman basketball talent from across the state. These rising stars made a significant impact and headline our Immediate Takeaways. This article features the Showcase MVP and First Team All-Showcase Honors. Stay tuned for team review articles in the coming days.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["881341"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c122e0d6bf3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brooklyn was the clear-cut <strong>MVP</strong>, with unanimous votes from both coaches and referees. Her size at her age is what stands out immediately. I'm sure there's still room for a growth spurt, but she already has a college-ready frame. Offensively, there's not much she can't do. Her playmaking skills and IQ are aligned, and her ability to score is from all three levels. She is a top 5 talent in this class and hasn't even tapped into her true potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["799184"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c122e0d6c4a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>First Team Selection</strong> - Haywood's game will translate regardless of her size. She plays with such pace and grace that she's able to dominate in many ways that don't involve scoring. On both sides, she shows tremendous IQ, but on the defensive end, she brings out the aggression that many guards are missing. She will be one of the players to keep your eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["874788"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c122e0d6c8a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>First Team Selection</strong> - One of the most aggressive players in the building today. Kotowski was a major standout to many, and when you see the confidence she plays with, you understand why. She has a certain bounce to her that most players her age don't have. She moves well with the ball, and beyond the arc, she's fluid and consistent. Her pace of the game is simple as well; she doesn't allow the opponent to speed her up. Tremendous upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["885956"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c122e0d6cc7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>First Team Selection</strong> - Ellis is scratching the surface of what her potential truly is. She has the length, fundamentals, and body language to be successful. On both ends of the court, she's dominant, and it showed today. A paint blanket and a sure bucket in the paint. On the drive, she can get to the rim in one to two dribbles, and she's the perfect type of player to have in a high pick-and-roll. Jordyn's best days are truly ahead of her. Special talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["901833"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c122e0d6d03"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>First Team Selection</strong> - Williams had a handful of moments in the 5v5 games where she shined on almost every possession. She runs the floor with great speed and pace, and has a midrange game that opens up the entire floor for her to be a threat from all angles. Usually, players tend to decline as the day goes on, but Williams seemed to get better in each game, which shows her potential as a strong prospect in this class. Keep an eye on this kid when her high school season begins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='972333' first='Hailey' last='Gray']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Belleville East","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Missouri Phenom","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c122e0d6d46"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>First Team Selection -</strong> - Gray was a guard that showed up to hoop, and she did just that. In every game, this kid demonstrated the ability to be efficient. When you “lack” size, you have to be sharp and consistent in other areas, and her speed, IQ, and agility were key to her success throughout the showcase. Exciting young talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["881796"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66c255d64aab5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harris was our <strong>honorable mention player of the day</strong>. It was rare for her to make a mistake. What stood out was her ability to fill whatever role was needed during each possession. She had stretches where she scored 8 straight points and others where her focus was purely on defense. There's something special about players who keep the game simple and effective. High potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->