Chicago Elite Classic Day 2 Standouts
The second day of the Chicago Elite Classic featured some tremendous performances from both in-state and national prospects. Here we look at the top performers from Day 2 of the Chicago Elite Classic. Remember to check back for a full…
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Continue ReadingThe second day of the Chicago Elite Classic featured some tremendous performances from both in-state and national prospects. Here we look at the top performers from Day 2 of the Chicago Elite Classic. Remember to check back for a full scouting report of prospects from all ages this week.
SG Zack Norvell (Simeon _ 2016)
The Simeon senior knows this is his team and they will go as far as he takes them. He started right from the jump hunting his shot and looking to get buckets. The Mr. Basketball candidate hit some tough jumpers from a variety of spots on the floor including a couple of deep threes. Great mechanics on the shot. Sometimes settles for it, but he is definitely a quality shooter. Showed flashes of moving without the ball including on a curl that he finished for a layup at the rim. Plus rebounder for his position. Quality free throw shooter. The Gonzaga commit had 19 points and 8 rebounds.
PG Xavier Castaneda (Whitney Young _ 2018)
After an injury plagued summer with Meanstreets the sophomore point guard is back healthy and looked clearly like the Dolphins best player. The 5’9” strongly built floor general was one of the few players on his team that looked to attack. He consistently knocked down pull up mid-range jump shots. Great elevation on the shot while staying balanced and in rhythm. Also has some ability off the bounce with impressive speed on his first step. Turned the ball over a little, but also made some nice passes. Finished with 16 points.
PG Nojel Eastern (Evanston _ 2017)
Eastern came off the bench for some reason to begin the game for Evanston. Once he did though the junior made an immediate impact. The big 6’5” point guard is smooth with the ball in his hands accelerating with the rock through traffic and to the rim. Slick handles in transition were on full display going coast to coast on multiple drives where he went to his favorite euro step to convert in the paint. The jumper was streaky. He knocked down a pair of them from beyond the arc. Tends to lean forward on the shots too much when he misses. When in rhythm and balanced in the catch and shoot he is effective. He went for 19 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Burton has always been known as a tough defender and energy guy. The 6’3” wing continues to do that. He is a monster wing defender getting deflections and steals on a consistent basis. The unsigned senior is a tenacious rebounder as well hitting the glass on both ends at a high rate. Plays above the rim with plus athleticism including catching alley-oop passes. The most impressive development in his game was on the jumper. Burton has not been a particularly effective shooter throughout his career. At the Chicago Elite Classic he looked very comfortable hitting the 18 foot shot and even stepped out to drill a pair of threes. If he can add this to his game consistently he will be one of the biggest senior stock risers in the state. Burton finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 5 steals.
PF Christian Negron (Larkin _ 2017)
Negron showed why he is considered one of the elite 2017 prospects in the state. The 6’7” forward has tremendous length, strength, and athleticism. He showed more of his perimeter game off than we had seen in the past. The forward handled it against pressure defense while looking comfortable. He had a couple quick drives to the hoop and particularly liked to attack on the baseline. Solid mid-range shooter including a nice one where he went between his legs for a pull up. Around the hoop Negron uses his explosion and second jump ability to punish the opponent on the offensive glass and finishing inside. Defensively he is effective on all areas of the floor. He can be a rim protector down low, defend laterally on the wing, and pressure the ball at the top of a 1-3-1 zone with his length. He finished with 20 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 blocks, and 3 steals. Complete game for the high major junior.
SF Jayson Tatum (Chaminade _ 2016)
The nation’s best prospect showed the Windy City why he deserves that honor on Saturday night. The 6’8” small forward had some absolutely filthy NBA type moves against Miller Grove. He scored in a variety of ways including several incredible drives where he euro stepped or finished with up and unders. Attacked the rim in the second half and overtime consistently either getting buckets or getting fouled and going to the charity stripe where he was phenomenal. Utilized his mid-range game with a couple jumpers, but most impressive move was a post-up from 15 feet, that he split, and finished with a short runner. Transition he got up and down the floor with speed and vision. Hit the glass at a good clip high pointing balls and snatching rebounds. Defensively he was a monster helping slow down Alterique Gilbert in the second half. He had several emphatic blocks where his head was way above the rim. The Duke commit finished with 40 points (12-18 FG) (15-16 FT), 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals.
PG Alterique Gilbert (Miller Grove _ 2016)
The UConn commit is among the premier lead guards in the nation. Gilbert is a great combination of strength, quickness, and athleticism. He got where ever he wanted on the floor in the first half almost like a running back weaving in and out of the defense. Tremendous speed in transition getting through traffic and accelerating at the hoop for explosive finishes. Slick ball handler that can shoot it from mid-range effectively. He had 32 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals.
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