17 U Teams that impressed this AAU season! (Part 1)

It was a great AAU season! For these 17 u guys, it was their last time putting on their teams jersey, and playing with their teammates. In last weekends tournaments we saw them put it all out on the floor, and played the best they possibly could to impress college coaches. These are the 17 u teams that made an impact this AAU season.

Bolded Players

Jake Fiegen (New Trier)

Rokas Castillo (Lemont)

Matas Castillo (Lemont)

Matas Buzelis (Sunrise Christian)

Mark Nikolich Wilson (Rolling Meadows)

Matthew Moore (Joliet West)

Ryan Kenney (Brother Rice)

Jimmy Navarrete (Brother Rice)

Jackson Niego (Lyons)

Leirre Collier (Bloom)

Jarod Gee Jr (Rich Township)

Dylan Schmidt (Johnsburg)

Xavier Sulaiman (Oak Lawn)

Jeremiah Fears (Joliet West)

Tyler Van Gorp (New Trier)

Wesley Rubin (Simeon)

Miles Rubin (Simeon)

Sam Lewis (Simeon)

Dalen Davis (Whitney Young)

Daniel Johnson (Whitney Young)

Richard Barron (St. Ignatius)

Quentin Jones (Marian Catholic)

Niko Absusara (Benet)

Deandre Craig (Mt. Carmel)

Tyler Smith (Leo)

Evan Jackson (DeLaSalle)

Full Package

Despite Full Package not being a sponsored team, they proved that they should be! They beat a lot of talented teams in the Eybl and the UAA! They shocked a lot of people this season, making their doubters believers. It always helps having multiple scholarship level players on the roster, but they’re chemistry, ball movement, and unselfish play, was easily the best out of all these teams. They made themselves a must see team on the PH circuit, winning the grit region finals! And if there was an mvp? Jake Fiegen! Fiegen is a guard for New Trier that has had some unreal performances throughout his AAU career. He’s made his case for the best shooter in the state, and I think he is. Comes off of screens and quickly rises up into his shot, does it off the dribble as well. Has been getting more athletic throughout the season and strength is already there. Mid Major D1s, need to be contacting him! Other two in the backcourt with him are the Lemont twins. Rokas Castillo is also one of the best shooters in the state in his own right. Can light it up quick, and finish through contact, has had several and one 3’s this season. Pressures the ball on defense and gets into passing lanes, good two way guard for a division 2 program. He is much like his brother Matas Castillo defensively, but offensively is quite different. Matas is shifty and good at changing speed, able to get to the basket and has a variety of different finishes. Good playmaker, always finds the open man in transition. They both have offers from Wisconsin-Parkside!

In the front court they had one of the best players in the country. Which is 5 star forward Matas Buzelis. The G-League commit was unstoppable! 6’9 with guard skills able to do everything on the offensive end while being even as good on defense blocking every shot that went his way. Didn’t play the whole season with Full Package, but when he did they were by far the best team in the PH circuit. He was joined by Mark Nikolich Wilson of Rolling Meadows. Wilson is the glue of this crew. Does a lot of the little things and gets rewarded for it. Has tremendous IQ, is a good high post passer, and a good rebounder. He is just really gifted at 6’7 with his vision, finishing ability, and nice midrange shot. One thing that everyone can agree on in the AAU community is how much we will miss watching this team!

Chicago Lockdown

Lockdown had one of the top prospects in Illinois in Matthew Moore of Joliet West. Moore was one of the most talked about players on the Prep Hoops Circuit. At 6’8 he is an elite rim protector, can switch and guard smaller opponents, and is an elite rebounder. Offensively, he is much improved on the perimeter. Able to knock down the 3, and take slower defenders off the dribble to the basket. But is elite at getting offensive rebounds, leading to put backs, and is a powerful finisher in the low post. After recently transferring into West, he has made them a guaranteed top 25 team! Lockdown also had the talented Brother Rice duo. Starting with 6’7 post Ryan Kenney. Kenney brings a lot of energy for this team on the interior. Rebounding machine on both ends, and finishes with power. Good in the pick and roll, sets good screens and catches and finishes. The other Brother Rice prospect, is one who has emerged this season in Jimmy Navarrete. Navarrete is a wing who is the glue guy for this team. Good rebounder, multi positional defender, runs in transition, and hits open shots. Would be a great fit for a small college!

In the backcourt they have Jackson Niego of Lyons Township. Niego is what holds this team together, he controls the game, plays with poise, and is a great playmaker. He just recently picked up an offer from Depauw. He is very vocal as a leader, competes on both ends, and can create his own shot. The other half of the backcourt is the new Bloom guard, Leirre Collier. Collier is a two way guard that has seen his stock rise this season. He pressures the ball, which leads to steals, and fast break opportunities. Offensively, he can shoot the 3, while being able to get to the basket, with his skill set. On the wing they had some consistent play from Jarod Gee Jr of Rich Township. Gee is one of the prospects that has a lot of upside. Gee can defend a lot of different positions with his size and length, and is a good slasher. Bouncy in transition, has really improved his 3 point shot over the year, and he will only get better. Also the shooting ability of Johnsburg SG Dylan Schmidt played a big role in their wins. Has a smooth stroke, and showed flashes of his athletic ability. Got a lot of looks at Lockdown this season, and it’s safe to say they were one of the top teams in the state.

Hoops 4 Health

Hoops 4 Health ended up having a completely different roster at the end of the season, but still had a lot of success. They were led by the athletic new Oak Lawn guard Xavier Sulaiman. Sulaiman dominated in the PH circuit, having some big scoring outings. His athleticism in the open court stands out right away, every game having a highlight dunk. Streaky shooter, quick release, and just gets more consistent every time I see him play. Has good instincts on defense getting a lot of steals and deflections. Has received some NAIA’s following outstaying performances! Jeremiah Fears of Joliet West was also a beast all season, playing up 2 age levels, and dominating. Had a 40 point game, and several 20+ point games. The lighting quick guard scores effortlessly from all 3 levels, makes it look easy. Good ball handler, shifty, and has been improving his playmaking throughout the season. These two have were consistent all season long, earning themselves offers!

In the front court, they were led by intriguing post Tyler Van Gorp of New Trier. He is a 6’10 rim runner who has been getting better and better all season long. Blocks shots, rebounds, finishes with power, and is good in the pick and roll. Has shown the ability to step out and hit the 3, but obviously still needs to improve that. Would be a steal for a low division 1 program. Hoops 4 Health has had their ups and downs this season, but at the end I think they are proud what they accomplished with their team!

Meanstreets

I think we all new that Meanstreets we’re going to be the top team in Illinois! The number of division 1 prospects they have is amazing! Starting with the Simeon trio. Wesley Rubin is so skilled at 6’8. While dominating in the post with his finishing ability and rebounding, he does a lot on the perimeter. He is an elite passer, and has shown he can step out and hit outside shots. His brother Miles Rubin is a lot more post oriented. Dominates with post hooks, drop step, and put backs. Rebounds on both ends, and is an elite shot blocker. The twins are both committed to Loyola! The new wolverine Sam Lewis is a bucket getter. Athletic guard who finishes above the rim, but still shoots the 3 consistently. Got to like the potential defensively with his size and length as a guard. Has improved his ball handling and decision making. Recently committed to Toledo!

The Whitney Young duo of Dalen Davis and Daniel Johnson also showed out on the Eybl circuit. Davis was named to Nike Eybl: Kansas City 1st team because of his stellar play. He is a smooth guard who has a nice feel to the game. Elite scorer from all 3 levels, plays with poise, and is a good playmaker. Really like his pull up jumper from both midrange and 3, one of my favorite players to watch. The other half of the duo Daniel Johnson, is a 6’7 wing that that all mid majors should be contacting right now. He is a really good 2 way player, knockdown 3 point shooter, while still attacking the rim, where he finishes above the rim. Can guard multiple positions, might be the best defender in the state! His most recent offer was from Nevada! You can’t forget about Richard Barron of St. Ignatius. Barron is a well built wing/guard who can really shoot it. Catch and shoot, off the dribble, and off of screens. Has good athleticism, and post game on smaller defenders. He’s becoming one of the better scorers in the state, and is looking to lead the Wolfpack back to the state tournament. Meanstreets will always be one of the top teams in the country, but this team was special they played hard every game and didn’t disappoint their fans!

Team FVV

Team FVV also didn’t have the most consistent roster but still had a lot of success, and kept their main core. They were led by the emergence of Marian Catholic star Quentin Jones. He’s a stud 2 way player for this team. Athletic boost for any division 1 program, 3 level scorer, and transition runner. Jones has seen his stock start to rise, starting to receive division 1 offers. Can’t wait to see his breakout school season with Marian Catholic. Towards the end of the season Team FVV brought in another division 1 wing in Niko Abusara of Benet. Abusara does a lot of things that impact winning basketball. Abusara is so good getting to the basket with his long strides. And defensively, because of his long wingspan, he gets a lot of steals and blocks. Good in transition, finishing above the rim with his athleticism.

Now they had 3 CCL players that played well for them. Starting with the Mount Carmel guard Deandre Craig. Craig showed that he is capable of putting up 20+ points every game, but focused more on playmaking this AAU season. He is a speedy guard, who scores from all 3 levels, plays with a great motor, and finds open teammates for easy baskets. Like the way he constantly gets the ball up the court, quickly out letting the ball to his teammates to put pressure on the defense. Craig has showed flashes of good defense, pressuring the ball, and a good help defender. Most recent division 1 offer from Denver! In the backcourt with him was Leo guard Tyler Smith. Smith is a smooth scorer. Put up double digit points every game. Good ball handle and strength getting to the basket, and smooth step back jumper. Pressures the ball on defense, which Leo guards are known for. The other CCL prospect for this team was the DeLaSalle wing Evan Jackson. Jackson is a 6’7 athletic slasher. Good frame, long strides getting to the basket, blocks shots, good in pick and roll, and energetic rebounder, often leading to put back jams. Showed the ability to knock down the 3 as well. Has a lot of upside, his best basketball is still ahead, could see a breakout season this year! Team FVV was one of the most talked about early in the season, and didn’t disappoint. Had a lot of the states top talent and performed well on the UA Rise circuit. Can’t wait to see there next season 17 u roster!