What To Expect If Youre Attending Illinois’s First Up Next Event
This year, we're hosting our first ever PGH Up Next event, featuring the future players in the 2031-2033 graduating classes. The event will take place at Supreme Courts in Aurora from 10 am-3 pm on September 20th. The first half of our evaluation will be 3v3 games, and we'll finish it off with 5v5. Our showcases have always been built around bringing together some of the best talent in the state while creating more exposure for players at every level. This Up Next will continue that tradition, but with a much different approach. The goal isn't just to evaluate the next generation of players, it's to help them grow from the very beginning. USE CODE: Byron26PGH25OFF to save on registration!
HOW OUR SCOUTS EVALUATE TALENT
- SKILL - At this young of an age, we're not expecting prospects to come out and stun us with flashy moves, shoot from 20 feet behind the arc, or have an amazing, efficient type of game (if that's you, we can't wait to see it). My definition of skill at this age is much simpler... How comfortable are you with the basics? Are you able to dribble with your off hand or confidently attack the rim with it? Are you able to make sound decisions when the ball is in your hands? And when it isn't, are you finding ways to still impact the game? How does your form look? Little things like that allow me to make a decent judgment or guess about how you might be as you get older and gain maturity.
- IQ - Without having high level competitive games on a weekly basis, I am not looking for players to understand reads at a strong level. Switching, when to close out, when to poke at the ball, when to jump a pass, or when to even notice the mismatch on offense. However, if prospects are showing us the willingness to do these things, without even knowing what theyre doing, that puts a player who can develop a strong IQ as they get older.
- COMMUNICATION - This is the most important one. No matter what age you are as a prospect, if you're fortunate enough to have a voice, use it. Whether it's talking on offense, talking on defense, or even talking in the huddle. Communication breeds leadership, confidence, and comfort on the court. We're keeping our ears open to hear players talk to each other and help each other out. And honestly, we want to hear FUN. This event will be competitive, but we want players to walk away with a new friend or two. This game of basketball can be brutal... but your friends, family, and teammates will get you through it!
Excited to see those who show up! This will be a great event with great prospects and great people working it. The registration link is below! Remember to use the code Byron26PGH25OFF to save on your registration!
