NY2LA Futures Camp: 2018 Illinois Standouts

<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">PrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance this past weekend at the NY2LA Sports Futures Camp to catch some of the top young prospects in the state and Midwest in general.  In this scouting report we break down the top 2018 performers from Illinois at the event along with one 2019 player.</span></span></p><h2>SF Devonire Glass (Simeon _ 2018)</h2><p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Glass was one of the breakout players of the day.  The long and rangy 6’7” small forward has the look of a D1 prospect.  He proved he can put it on the deck with ease handling it through traffic and splitting defenders.  Smooth looking shot that he knocked down from mid-range with consistency and stretched it to three on occasion.  Great feel for the game and even displayed some passing instincts.  Defensively has a chance to be very good.  One of the better upside 2018 prospects in the state. </span></span><br /> <br />  </p> <h2>SF Caleb Strohmeier (Edwardsville _ 2018)</h2><p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Edwardsville 6’6” small forward impressed with his combination of length and strength on both ends of the floor.  He handles it well for a wing and looked very crisp in the drills.  The sophomore has a quality skill level with his ability to both handle it and stretch the floor with a jumper.  Also displayed nice bounce around the hoop where he fought hard on the glass and finished strong.  If he keeps growing could develop into a stretch four, but already is worth being on the college radar with his physical tools and game.</span></span></p> <h2>SF Naseem Turner (Kenwood _ 2018)</h2><p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Kenwood 6’5” wing has a long and rangy frame to where he should continue to grow.  Turner is silky smooth with the basketball in his hands even playing the point forward role in parts of the games.  Got anywhere he wanted on the floor with relative ease.  Turner has a good looking shooting stroke with range that stretches out to beyond the arc.  Once he adds strength this could be one of the more intriguing wing prospects in the sophomore class across the state.  In his first major event he really shined.</span></span></p> <h2>SG Talen Horton-Tucker (Simeon _ 2018)</h2><p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Horton-Tucker continues to elevate his game.  The 6’3” wing has slimmed down and has seen his overall game go to new heights.  Horton-Tucker is a plus shooter from beyond the arc especially in the catch and shoot.  Knock down perimeter marksmen.  He is much lighter on his feet and is now attacking more off the bounce and scoring in the lane.  Good rebounder for his position as well and is developing a nice passing feel.</span></span></p> <h2>PF Messiah Jones (Simeon _ 2018)</h2><p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The top 5 2018 prospect didn’t disappoint.  He used his length defensively to block and alter several shots on the defensive end and did a very good job rebounding against some bigger post players.  Slammed a few contested jams through the trees on the interior.  The 6’5” forward also showed some wing skills handling it on the perimeter and getting in the lane for a few short jumpers.  If he grows watch out!</span></span></p> <h2>SG Vahe Kalayjian (Loyola _ 2018)</h2><p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">This 6’2” two guard can create off the bounce for himself and others getting in the lane on a few finishes including some and-1’s.  Also drove hard to the hoop and kicked to open teammates on the perimeter.  Nice mid-range jumper.</span></span></p> <h2>SG James Connolly (Grayslake North _ 2018)</h2><p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The 6’3” shooting guard has long strides and uses them to get up the floor fast in transition.  Got to the hoop fairly consistently and finished in the paint.</span></span></p> <h2>SG Zachary Briggs (Decatur MacArthur _ 2018)</h2><p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Briggs is a 6’2” long armed and long legged sophomore that projects well down the line continuing to grow.  The angular guard handles it well and looked extremely smooth in the drills.  Defensively was impressive with his length getting deflections.  Struggled a little in the games offensively.  Potential is there though!</span></span></p> <h2>PG Ahmad Muhammad (St. JosephÍs _ 2018)</h2><p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Muhammad is a 6’0” point guard for St. Joseph’s who has shown scoring potential.  He handles the ball well and can get buckets in the paint with a nice runner.</span></span></p> <h2>SG Ryan Kutsor (Lake Zurich _ 2018)</h2><p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Lake Zurich 6’3” shooting guard has long arms and a good frame.  He is a solid shooter that has a sweet looking stroke.  Defensively he was active getting several steals which he converted for points at the other end of the floor.</span></span></p> <h2>PG Kejuan Clements (Simeon _ 2019)</h2><p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">One of the top incoming freshman guards in the state the 6’1” Clements is powerful with the rock in his hands.  He is a long armed playmaker that likes to play flashy and at times can over dribble, but there are a lot of tools to like with from the young lead guard.</span></span></p>