Phenom 150 Combine Standouts

On Sunday PrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance at the Phenom 150 Combine at Carterville High School to check out prospects in the classes of 2017, 2018, and 2019 from southern Illinois.  Here is our breakdown of who stood out!

SG Austin Wills (Benton _ 2017)

Wills was the star of the day.  The 6’1” athletic guard started off well in the drills and continued from there.  He has a projectable frame where he should continue to grow a little more.  Wills is so smooth athletically having slick handles in the open floor with the ability to get to the basket with ease.  Struggled a bit early finishing through contact, but got better as the day went on.  The Benton junior excels shooting the basketball particularly from mid-range with a free and easy stroke.  He can also stretch it out to three on occasion.  Defensively moves well laterally and should be a solid defender at the next level.  Worth an early look for D3, NAIA, and JUCO programs.

G Justin Shadowens (Marion _ 2017)

Shadowens is a thick bodied combo guard that gets better each time we see him.  He has improved athletically, gotten quicker, and tightened his ball handling up.  What he is best at is shooting the ball from the perimeter.  Shadowens is a plus pull up jump shooter that drives at his man and stops on a dime pulling up with great elevation and drilling shots with sound mechanics.  Also is effective off the catch from deep.  His ability to shoot the basketball will be a value at the next level.  Shadowens does a nice job of creating space to get his shot off.  Competes defensively.  Shadowens has looks from SEMO and Navy at this stage.

PG Eric Green (Wayne City _ 2017)

Green is a wiry point guard at 5’10” that can shoot the basketball from the perimeter.  He hit open shots with consistency at the camp both off the catch and pulling up.  Caught fire at one point on Sunday.  Green is crafty with the ball and can handle it a little.  One worth monitoring for D3 and NAIA programs going forward.

PG Lucas Lawrence (Galatia _ 2017)

Lawrence is a 5’10” floor general that plays with a ton of flare!  He got out in the open floor pushing the tempo and getting his teammates involved with some great passes.  Showed an advanced feel for the game and vision in both the half court and transition.  Lawrence is more athletic than he looks as he had one impressive play where he stole the ball, went coast to coast, and finished through contact with an up and under layup.  Lawrence shows some potential with his jumper from three as well.  D3 and NAIA programs should take a look.

SG Blake Jackson (Carterville _ 2017)

Jackson played solid on his home floor.  The junior wing has potential as a shooter on the perimeter and is one to continue to track as his high school season goes along!

SG Justin Johnson (Carterville _ 2018)

Johnson is a 6’2” wing with long arms and a rangy build.  He moves fluidly in the open floor, pushing it when the ball is in his hands, and takes good angles slashing to the hoop.  Overall has a good feel and court awareness in the transition game and can make a nice pass to a teammate for an assist.  Solid shooter that shows some range which stretches out to three.  Moves well laterally defensively.  One to track down the road especially if he grows.

SG Caleb Frederking (Okawville _ 2018)

Frederking is a smooth two guard that is more of a slasher than his older brother.  The sophomore is quick taking it to the hoop and strong with the basketball.  Solid athlete in the open floor and has length defensively.

PG Cameron Bowlby (Marissa _ 2019)

This freshman point guard is more a scorer.  The southpaw did that early with his quick release from deep on his three.  Got a little trigger happy at times, but can definitely connect from beyond the arc.  As the day went on he started to display a more complete game and getting others involved more.

F Jacob Martin (Mt. Vernon _ 2019)

Martin is a tough and well-built young forward that likes to shoot the ball from the mid-range.  He particularly enjoys letting it fly from the baseline.  Knocked down a few, but will need to work on his shot mechanically to get it college ready, but has plenty of time.  Martin is a physical rebounder that showed well on the glass.

SG Lukas Cooper (Mt. Vernon _ 2019)

Cooper is a plus shooter that can knock them in from deep.  He was best connecting from mid-range.  The freshman impressed with what he did on the defensive end moving well laterally and creating several turnovers.