Rising Stars Light Up the Summer Circuit
The summer evaluation period has become a crucible for emerging talent, and few names have sparked as much excitement as Jamier Montgomery. Hailing from Crane in Chicago, Montgomery navigated limited exposure during the key scouting windows, yet his performances for Young and Reckless — a grassroots program not tied to a major shoe brand — caught the eye of national recruiters. His run to the title game of Recruit Look’s Chicago Bracket Finale cemented his status as the top senior prospect in the Chicago Public League, a league known for producing NBA-caliber athletes.
Montgomery’s breakout culminated in a verbal commitment to Kent State, a decision that reflects both his strategic choice of program and the confidence coaches have in his developmental trajectory. While his high school path was unconventional, the exposure he gained through non‑traditional circuits illustrates how talent can rise beyond the shadow of elite shoe‑sponsored teams.
A New Wave of Elite Prospects
On the other side of the 2028 class, Brady Pettigrew has emerged as a dominant force in the 16U division. Competing in the EYBL circuit, he posted an impressive 23.6 points per game at the Peach Jam, earning the Nike EYBL Most Valuable Player honor. His scoring prowess has attracted offers from powerhouse programs such as the University of Kentucky and the University of North Carolina, and analysts now rank him among the top ten players nationwide.
Pettigrew’s ascent is part of a broader pattern: Illinois’ elite prospects are increasingly opting to transfer to preparatory schools to sharpen their skills and broaden recruitment prospects. Jaxson Davis, the top recruit of the Class of 2027, is set to attend Monarch Academy in Kansas City, while Quinton Kitt, a top‑100 talent, will follow a similar path. Both players join Amarion Smith‑Holley from Peoria Richwoods, who has also secured a Kansas offer after committing to the prep school route.
These moves underscore a shifting recruiting landscape where traditional high‑school pipelines intersect with elite prep institutions. For Montgomery, the choice of Kent State offers a clear developmental roadmap, while Pettigrew’s early commitment to a major program signals that the next wave of Illinois talent will be courted by the nation’s most prestigious collegiate programs.