PGH Midwest Madness: Illinois Players To Look Out For

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wisconsin is set to host its first marquee event of the AAU season this weekend, with over 100 teams making their way into the building. That alone makes this one of the better early opportunities to get a real look at some of the top players in the Midwest, especially with so much talent expected to be on the floor. From established names to prospects looking to build more momentum, there will be no shortage of players worth tracking. Below are the Illinois based prospects I will have my eye on this weekend.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["758886"],"_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-69d98ea63e0e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Throughout the high school season, we do not get to see much of Damon due to her not being in the IHSA fold. However, between streaming and film, she has not slowed down at all. The smoothness, the aggression, and her ability to create for herself just as well as for others have all helped set her apart. She is running with arguably the best AAU team in Illinois from a prospect standpoint, and if she can stand out with them, that will be a great look for college coaches.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1243303"],"_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-69d98ea63e13c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>One of the top incoming freshmen to know, Eshoo is beyond her youth, and the confidence she plays with says a ton. She is not a flashy type of player by any means, but she plays the game with pace and a high amount of intention. She does not need too much to get going, and everything is simple and sharp. A name to keep in your books. Bright future.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["881983"],"_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-69d98ea63e189"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Stumm will continue to establish herself as a standout in her class over time. She has the makeup of a true 3 and D prospect, and that type of versatility should allow her to fit into and thrive within all kinds of schemes. There is still more room for growth, but the majority of her skill set is already moving in the right direction.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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-69d98ea63e1d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Haywood has been one of the more consistent players in her class and a legit prospect to follow since coming into high school. On both ends of the floor, she brings impact. Scoring wise, there is truly no cap on her ability to get going, from beyond the arc to getting to the rim. On the defensive end, she is quick on her feet, her IQ is high and sharp enough to make fast reads, and she has no backdown in her game.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["911247"],"_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-69d98ea63e217"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>One of my favorite players to watch in the 2028 class, Summer is a legit dog. This kid is beyond talented, and she is only scratching the surface of what she can do. For the majority of her high school season, she is clearly the best player on whatever court she is on. But during the AAU season, when the competition really heats up, she still finds a way to stand out. If you have not watched her in person, make sure you get to a game.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->