Illinois Scouting: Proviso West Saturday Standouts
The Proviso West Holiday Tournament kicked off its 55th edition on Saturday. PrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance all day and has you covered on the standouts from the Day 1! PF Nick Rakocevic (St. Joseph’s – 2016) Rakocevic has been…
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Continue ReadingThe Proviso West Holiday Tournament kicked off its 55th edition on Saturday. PrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance all day and has you covered on the standouts from the Day 1!
PF Nick Rakocevic (St. Joseph’s – 2016)
Rakocevic has been a whole different player than the one saw on the travel team circuit. The 6’11” center has made significant strides in a multitude of areas. First is his demeanor as he is much more under control of his emotions not getting too high or low throughout games. He is encouraging and the clear leader of his team. The top uncommitted senior in the state played with a greatly improved motor. He runs the floor consistently, is active on both ends, and engaged every possession. Rakocevic makes quick moves in the post and did most of his damage there not drifting to the perimeter. He dominated on the interior by using the glass to grab rebounds at a high rate and bank shots in off the backboard. Plus shot blocking presence with his length and mobility. He played like one of the best players in the state going for 16 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 blocks. High major prospect.
PG Charlie Moore (Morgan Park – 2016)
After Rakocevic put on a show at Proviso West to open the event the other leading contender for Mr. Basketball answered! The 5’11” point guard put on a show against Dunbar. What makes Moore such a dynamic player is when one part of his game isn’t fully on he has plenty of other ways to beat you. Against St. Mel his shot from three wasn’t falling consistently like usual. He still got buckets. Moore is quick and shifty with the rock getting in the lane at will finishing with runners and floaters inside. Pull up jumper from mid-range is a plus weapon. His defense gets his offense going as he pressures the ball all over the floor creating steals and points on the other end in the transition game. The Memphis commit had 27 points, 3 assists, and 8 steals.
SG Antonio Williams (Proviso East – 2016)
In his first game back the uncommitted senior shooting guard put on a show on a floor he knows well! The 6’0” shooting guard is uber athletic and plays with a never ending motor. He gets after it on both ends of the floor and is a game changer in transition playing above the rim. Williams is great attacking the basket off the bounce and has the ability to change directions quickly in the lane while having tremendous body control finishing. Jump shot continues to make progress particularly from mid-range. He hit the glass at a good clip particularly on the offensive end. Passed it well for an off guard. He is a pressure defender that has active hands. He had 24 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals. He is getting looked at by some D2 schools, but will most likely be one of the most coveted JUCO targets in the state.
PG Mike Smith (Fenwick – 2016)
Smith is one of the most underrated prospects from Illinois in my opinion. I don’t understand what more people want from him. He wins, can score, dishes it, and defends. The 5’9” point guard has the ball on a string doing a great job of getting in the lane drawing defenders and kicking to open teammates. He has a feel for finding his shooters particularly fellow senior Mike Ballard. The senior lead guard is an adequate shooter pulling up from both mid-range and three although he can be streaky at times. Defensively did well guarding Von Steuben’s top scorer holding him down while checking him in the first half. Smith had 12 points and 4 assists. Needs to be on the low-major radar for more teams!
SG James Jones (Bogan – 2016)
Jones is a big 6’4” shooting guard that is athletic. The Buffalo commit has go to scorer ability at the next level. He is a plus pull up jump shooter that knocks them down in transition on a regular basis. Also is a three point threat. Gets height and elevation on his shot. Showed the ability to get to get to the rack particularly in transition. Jones had 21 points on 9-17 from the field. Top 15 prospect in the senior class.
C Liddell Davis (Proviso West – 2016)
At 6’7” Davis is a big bodied post that has a good feel around the hoop. He has soft hands in the paint and knows how to position his body to score on the block sealing and finishing with strength inside. Davis shoots a high percentage on his shot attempts. Plus rebounder that snatches them with his big hands. Davis went for 15 points (5-8 FG) and 10 rebounds. Worth consideration at the D2 level and would be phenomenal get at the D3/NAIA/JUCO level.
PG Marcus Garrett (Hillcrest – 2017)
Garrett is a 6’1” strongly built and athletic junior scoring combo guard. He has the ball in his hands a lot, but is best looking to score. Garrett is a solid jump shooter that can knock down pull up shots from both mid-range and three. He is effective getting in the lane on a consistent basis where he uses a runner to finish over big men. In transition Garrett pushes the rock with speed and turns turnovers into points at the other end. Needs to continue to develop as a floor general and cut down on the turnovers. Only hit 1-6 from the charity stripe. He finished with 19 points, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 4 rebounds. Projects as a potential D2 prospect with the upside to be a low-major kid with a quality summer.
SG Demarius Jacobs (Uplift – 2017)
Jacobs is an athletic and thinly built 6’3” shooting guard that didn’t force bad shots. The junior is quick off the dribble and slippery through traffic where he can finish at the rim. He is a plus three point shooter with a smooth release mechanically and it is consistently repeatable. Jacobs is a plus rebounder for his position skiing high above bigger opponents for many of them. Needs to cut down on the turnovers and although he was extremely efficient he could almost be more aggressive hunting his shot. Jacobs finished with 18 points (6-9 FG) and 7 rebounds. Mid-major prospect in the 2017 class.
C Brandon McCoy (Cathedral Catholic, CA – 2017)
The Chicago native returned home with his team from California to play in the Proviso West Tournament. McCoy is a 7’0” junior center with long arms. He is very mobile around the hoop making sound post moves and keeping the ball high in the paint. The elite junior gets deep post position and seals well around the basket. He finishes with both hands and uses the glass. McCoy runs the floor with ease getting up and down the court like a guard. His most impressive play we saw was when he blocked a shot, went coast to coast, crossed his man, and finished at the basket. Plus rebounder and a big time shot blocking presence. He had 23 points. Elite 5-star talent nationally.