Mr. Basketball Candidates: Nojel Eastern

<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">In this series we take a look at the potential candidates for Mr. Basketball in the state of Illinois for this upcoming season.  Here we profile Evanston 2017 point guard <strong>Nojel Eastern</strong>.</span></span></p><p> </p> <p><strong><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Profile:</span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Eastern is one of the top prospects in the junior class.  The 6’4” lefty is a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands.  He has a chance to be a special player down the line with his potential and this year should be his breakout season with his ability to get in the lane to score as well as get his teammates involved distributing the rock.</span></span></p> <p><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Odds to Win:</span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">12/1</span></span><br />  </p> <p><br /> <strong><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Why he Can Win:</span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Eastern has an electrifying style of play that people enjoy watching.  He makes plays for himself and others.  The guard should be the guy in the northern suburbs that is the dominant player this season which will help him earn a lot of votes along with a tough schedule and high profile matchups.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Obstacles to Win:</span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Evanston junior is coming back from a serious injury suffered back in the spring during the Lexington stop of the Nike EYBL.  He is ready to go for the high school season, but will he back in classic Nojel form from the jump?  Also like Goodwin it is very rare that a junior wins the award, but without an elite national senior it is possible.</span></span></p>