Illinois Class of 2017 Wing Breakdown

Scott Burgess September 16, 2015 @ 05:00 PM

The class of 2017 is loaded across the board, but it might not be more evident at any positions than at shooting guard and small forward. It has star power, followed up upside, and then even more depth after that!At the shooting guard position there are two high major prospects in Jordan Goodwin (Belleville Althoff) and Da’Monte Williams (Peoria Manual). Goodwin is a powerful wing that had a dominant sophomore season followed by a monster summer. He overpowers his opponent scoring on the interior and is a great passer. Williams elevated his stock during the spring and played himself into high major consideration. The athletic combo guard really knows how to score and when his team needed him he took over. Jamal Nixon (Fenwick) follows those two closely with his all-around game. Nixon is a versatile and strong guard that should have a big junior year for Fenwick. Elijah Joiner (Curie) boosted his stock with his strong play for Team Rose on the travel team circuit and is getting mid-major looks. A trio of Meanstreets 16U shooting guards have shown D1 potential with various skill sets in AJ Youngman (Peoria Manual), Lucas Williamson (Whitney Young), and Craig Beaudion (Foreman). Bouncy wing Demarius Jacobs (Uplift) and defensive minded Tyler Chisom (Proviso East) elevated their stock with All-In/Y&R. Noah Frederking (Okawville) is a small school southern Illinois scorer that proved on the circuit that he can play at the low-major D1 level. Shooting guard prospects that are just on the verge of being recruited by more D1 programs that will be watched closely include athletic wings that present upside, but need to be more consistently dominant which they will have the opportunity to prove as juniors. That list includes Iman Reynolds (Hinsdale South), Dwayne Rose (Crete Monee), Brennen Woods (Hampshire), Zach Rzewnicki (Ridgeview), and Terry Smith (Curie). The depth at the position continues with combo guards Marcus Garrett (Hillcrest) and Jacob Keller (Fenwick). Also Mitch Lewis (Naperville North), Denis Alibegovic (Downers Grove South), and Carson Newsome (Waukegan) are more two guards to track this season. At the small forward spot there are three high major headliners in Charles Payton (Bloomington), Javon Pickett (Belleville East), and Justin Smith (Stevenson). Each bring a little something different to the table. Payton is a freak athlete that attacks the basket with force and wants to dunk on everybody. Defensively he has a chance to be a monster. Pickett is a smooth perimeter scoring wing that can knock down pull up jumpers, passes it well, and had a big July. Smith might have the highest ceiling of the three with his plus athleticism and silky smooth three point shot. A pair of small forwards that emerged on the mid-major radar with strong springs were athletic scorers Trevian Bell (Joliet West) and Nana Akenten (Bolingbrook). Romon Douglas-Watkins (Peoria Manual), Romelo Burrell (Morgan Park), and Coreyoun Rushin (Westinghouse) are raw, but athletic wings with considerable upside. TJ Smith (Marian Catholic) and Te’Mon Green (St. Rita) are a pair of wings with potential, but have struggled with injuries. Look out for them this season. Marvin Bateman (Belleville Althoff) and Oliver Stephen (Edwardsville) are a pair of metro east shooters with size. The ultimate wild cards at the position could be combo forwards Jameel Alausa (Chicago U-High) and Doug Wallen (St. Thomas More).