Midwest Warmup: Friday's Takeaways

April 8, 2023 by Max Feldman

High level shoe circuit and independent teams from all over Illinois and the region getting their spring started at Midwest Warmup. Diving in on Friday’s notables and takeaways.

Nojus Indrusaitis Shows Extremely Well

Highly impressive outing for top 75 Iowa State commit Nojus Indrusaitis. The 6-5 G did his best work attacking downhill off the catch, making quick decisions and slithering through traffic to manipulate the backline of defenses or finish with touch. We've seen no shortage of flashes, but the Lithuanian national played at his own pace and scored extremely well within the flow of offense. After a relatively up and down season at St. Rita, things are aligning for a potentially big summer if a similar approach and in-game process becomes a habit.

Xzavion Mitchell's Workmanlike Approach

Per usual, the versatility and workmanlike approach of Top 65 2025 F Xzavion Mitchell popped in a big way. Creative interior playmaking, cleans the glass and is ultra switchable on the defensive end. The Herro group certainly leverages his Swiss Army Knife type skillset, throwing the 6-7 athlete in inverted pick & rolls and creating quick offense off grab and go's. The Wisconsin native brings value in a ton of different, and most importantly, impacts winning at a high level.

Darrion Sutton's Upside on Full Display

Walked away from the Tarkanian Classic early in 2023 with Sutton as a significant notable, now back in the Midwest, it's been more of the same and some more. 6-10 with the ball on a string and loaded with quick-twitch. The jumbo wing had his way as a downhill playmaker and generating deflections out front. A willing shooter off the bounce and with explosiveness at the rim. Sutton's recruitment spreads across the map currently, and while he already lands in the top 100 for us, he could be due for a rise with more consistent play.

Rajan Roberts Comes Alive

Roberts is riding a ton of momentum after a highly productive freshman campaign at Proviso West (IL). The 2026 guard's first offer is in the fold, but there'll be no shortage of suitors when the time rolls around. In the early stage physically, Roberts plays with a real competitive edge to him and made it known throughout. Loaded with burst and a strong feel for putting defenders in jail to explode to the rim. Just around 6-foot, but racked up free throw line attempts with impressive body control and along with a fearlessness and suddenness to his attack. There's plenty of room for developement as a decision-maker, but playing alongside multiple guards who are also tracking at a high level should be beneficial long-term.

Elijah Griffin's Feel For The Game

Coming off last summer, Griffin was one of my favorite more under-the-radar guys to keep tabs on moving forward. After putting together a massively productive season at Wetosha Central (WI) and making the move over to Team Herro, this summer could serve as a launching pad. At just over 6 foot with plenty of room to add strength, Griffin plays with a sense of control and at a pace not many do so early on. An elite level handle, advanced floor-mapping skills, a proactive playmaking feel to pass his guys open and a sense of comfort playing in the face of pressure. Griffin's stature and explosiveness won't blow you away, but the 2025 guard processes the game beyond his years and elevates the guys around him.

Lorenzo Shields Looks Next Up at Simeon

Playing behind Jalen Griffith and numerous other D1 guards at Simeon, Lorenzo Shields hasn't received as much high school basketball opportunity as some other in-state notables in 2025, but he could be on the brink of opening some eyes. Naturally skilled on the ball with a soft touch stroke, he's shown some backcourt versatility and inherent scoring instincts early in the spring already. Fluid and crafty with a knack catching and ripping to get his spots when things stall out in the half-court. While Simeon loses five D1 bound guys and the legendary Rob Smith, they don't project to be going anywhere in terms of success and Shields could be a cornerstone over the next two years.