Scouting Chicago Elite: 2016 Part 2
The Chicago Elite Classic has become one of the premier national high school basketball events. PrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance from start to finish and we break down several of the 2016 prospects in attendance in part two of our senior…
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Continue ReadingThe Chicago Elite Classic has become one of the premier national high school basketball events. PrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance from start to finish and we break down several of the 2016 prospects in attendance in part two of our senior scouting report!
PG Mike Smith (Fenwick _ 2016)
Solid, but not spectacular game out of one of the state’s top unsigned prospects. The 5’9” floor general was effective on the defensive end putting constant pressure on OPRF guards and turning them into directions they didn’t want to go. He had several steals that he took end to end for scores. Smith is quick twitched with the ball getting in the lane with relative ease and makes regular trips to the charity stripe. The jump shot can be a bit streaky as was seen in this game going 4-13 from the field. Has drive and kick ability, but forced several passes in this one. He finished with 16 points and 3 steals. Needs to be on the low-major radar.
PG Breshawn Wilkerson (Oak Park River Forest _ 2016)
Wilkerson has good size and strength at 6’2” for the lead guard position. He plays very intense particularly on the defensive end of the floor. The lefty hit a top of the key catch and shoot three as well as another pull up three later in the contest. Likes the runner. Overall he was way more of a scorer than distributor and didn’t shoot that great of a percentage at 4-12 FG. Projects best at the D3/NAIA/JUCO level.
C Myles Howard (Marian Catholic _ 2016)
Another game for Howard where the 6’7” post flashes potential, but doesn’t show it all out. Goes for long stretches where you don’t notice he is even on the floor. Then grabs a couple contested boards with his length and with his ability on the defensive end you see where the potential is. Only scored two points and was solid on the glass. D2’s should look at the upside big.
PG Brandon Danowski (Loyola _ 2016)
Not the greatest game for the Loyola senior. The 6’0” senior point guard started off with an end to end drive showing improved athleticism. Also hit a runner in the lane. Other than that he couldn’t buy a shot from the field. Was in foul trouble most of the game and didn’t really get his teammates involved. With his size and what he showed on the circuit is worth a look at the D3/NAIA level.
SG Jon Arenas (Maine South _ 2016)
Arenas is a 6’3” senior shooting guard that likes to get in the lane. He is thin, but not afraid to get in the paint where he finishes with runners and athleticism at the hoop. Solid quickness off the dribble and slippery through traffic. Pure scorer that excels at attacking off the bounce. Potential on shot. Went for 16 points in win. Projects as a quality D3/NAIA prospect.
PF Brad Perry (Maine South _ 2016)
Perry is a big bodied post that isn’t a great athlete, but knows how to get the job done inside. At probably about 6’8” Perry is a space eater that seals well inside and has soft hands receiving the basketball. At times brings the ball too low and gets it stripped. Perry is a solid area rebounder. Finished with 8 points and 8 rebounds. Nice D3/NAIA candidate.
PG Keyvon Kyles (Larkin _ 2016)
The 5’9” point guard from Larkin is more a scorer that can also distribute it a little. Quality pull up jump shooter that can connect from beyond the arc. At times forces some bad shots. Did a good job of getting the ball to his teammates. He had 16 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Quality D3/NAIA prospect.
SG AJ Hunter (Larkin _ 2016)
Hunter was the surprise performer for Larkin. The 6’0” senior is an active guard that makes plays. Capable three point shooter that looks to score. Had some trouble finishing inside and isn’t a great passer. As a spot up shooter he can help a D3/NAIA program. Hunter had 20 points and 5 rebounds.
SF Antonio Johnson (East St. Louis _ 2016)
Johnson is a big and physically built wing that looks like an outside linebacker. He is most effective on the interior where he uses his brute strength and force to finish around the hoop. Quality offensive rebounder. Johnson had 11 points and 6 rebounds. D3/NAIA/JUCO target.
PG Daniko Jackson (Riverside Brookfield _ 2016)
Jackson is a 5’10” lefty floor general that’s job is to get all of his weapons involved. He did a nice job of that against Gonzaga. He is quick getting in the lane and being slippery through traffic. Makes quality decisions with the ball finding open shooters and cutters. Got the ball to his big man in positions to do damage. Hit a deep three. Was mostly in pass first mode on the night. He had 8 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals. Should be under consideration for D2 programs and high level D3/NAIA schools.
C Mark Smith (Riverside Brookfield _ 2016)
Smith had the best performance we have seen out of him in four years on the big stage at the Chicago Elite Classic. The 6’7” center used to be very long, thin, and didn’t have much coordination around the hoop. That has changed. He has gotten significantly stronger and his ability to score in the paint has improved tremendously. Smith did a great job carving out space and sealing on the interior for scores. He uses the glass well and showed he could finish with both hands. Plus offensive rebounder that knows how to use his length to high point rebounds. Great to see the improvement out of the Riverside Brookfield post. Needs to work on free throw shooting. He had 19 points and 9 boards. Committed to Trinity International University in recent days.