Michael O'Brien's blog from Spiece

Saturday evening update:

Contrary to published reports earlier this week, Sam Thompson has not been offered by Illinois.

"I don't know about that," Thompson "I haven't and my parents have not spoken to [Illinois]."

The Mac Irvin Fire 15-and-under team is a sneak preview of the future of Chicago basketball.

Watch out for Thomas Hamilton Jr. He's a seventh grader at Beasley right now, and he just might be the best seventh grader in the country. He's 6-8 and has an all-around game that recruiting analyst Joe Henricksen described as "European."

Recruiting analyst Roy Schmidt had this to say about Hamilton: "If he keeps his head on straight he'll be in the league."

His teammate at Beasley, eighth grader Steve Taylor, is a 6-7 warrior. It's unclear which high school either will attend. Simeon is supposedly the favorite for Taylor, De La Salle for Hamilton. And yes, Hamilton is the son of former King superstar Thomas Hamilton.

Saturday afternoon update:

Just watched the Fire 16-and-under team lose 58-55 to the Spiece Indy Heat.

Young freshman Sam Thompson had a poor shooting game. He missed all eight mid-range jumpers he took, as well as two three-pointers. He finished with five points, three from the free throw line and two on an impressive alley-oop dunk.

Deandre Henley, a freshman at De La Salle, played a nice game. He's a big kid, but still able to run the floor well, handle the ball and drain some shots.

The best player on the floor was the Indy Heat's Marcus Teague, the younger brother of Wake Forest guard Jeff Teague.

Up next..the Mac Irvin Fire 15-and under, which feature seventh grader Thomas Hamilton, Jr. The son of former King star Thomas Hamilton. Everyone is raving about his play last night.

Saturday morning update:

The Mac Irvin Fire were a late arrival last night and had to forfeit some games, but they were on hand and ready to go today. However, three of their star players are out with injuries.

Rich South guard Crandall Head, an Illinois recruit, is out with tendinitis in his knee. He's expected back next weekend in Arizona. Head is expected to transfer from Rich South. According to a source, Young and North Lawndale are currently the top two contenders.

Thornton guard Jay Parker has a busted ankle and will miss three weeks. U-High's Zeke Upshaw is also out, he has an injured hip.

--Team NLP is without star guard Lenzelle Smith, who is attending his prom.