Scouting Chicago Elite: 2017 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 2017 prospects in attendance in part two of our junior…
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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 2017 prospects in attendance in part two of our junior scouting report!
SG Jacob Keller (Fenwick _ 2017)
Keller is a left handed combo guard that does a little bit of everything and is always around the basketball. At 6’2” Keller is quick off the bounce getting in the lane with his long strides. Loves to use the euro step in the paint to finish. Takes and makes high percentage shots. Plus rebounder for a guard that hits the glass on both ends effectively. Good help defender that has active hands getting deflections and steals. Keller had 18 points (7-7 FG), 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. Stock riser that is worth consideration at the mid-major level.
SG Jamal Nixon (Fenwick _ 2017)
The Chicago Elite Classic was a bit of a struggle for the talented 6’5” junior wing. Nixon is a strong and physical wing that brings a lot of versatility to the table. The guard couldn’t get his offense going early as the jumper would not fall. That didn’t stop him from being active on the interior including a nice left handed drive. Hit the boards hard and got to the foul line. Was hampered with foul trouble in the contest. Finished with 6 points and 4 rebounds. Still remains a quality mid-major target.
SF Jared Scott (Oak Park River Forest _ 2017)
Scott is a 6’5” big bodied left handed small forward with solid length. He showed quite a bit of perimeter skill attacking with ease off the bounce. Used a jab step to set up strong takes to the hoop. Also hit a three. Scott is effective using his quickness around the hoop to finish through multiple defenders and shoot a high percentage on the interior. Quality rebounder for position. Very good night for the junior. He had 16 points and 5 rebounds.
SF Cameron Gross (Oak Park River Forest _ 2017)
Gross is a thick bodied 6’4” combo forward that is most effective on the interior where he can use his physicality. Finishes well through contact. Handles the ball in the open floor, but is not a good shooter. He had 11 points and 5 rebounds. Should be on the D3/NAIA radar.
SF TJ Smith (Marian Catholic _ 2017)
The 6’7” small forward from Marian Catholic has all the tools you could ask for in a young prospect. Length, size, and athleticism are all a plus for the wing. He continued his slow start to the season however. Smith had a couple flashes including a baseline layup and coast to coast drive the he finished with a thunderous slam. Overall through he was trying to play too much one on one ball, was loose with the rock, and struggled finishing at the rim. He had 9 points. Without a doubt a D1 prospect, but we need to see more as the year goes on.
SF Austin Richie (Marian Catholic _ 2017)
Richie has been the most productive junior for Marian Catholic this year. The 6’5” forward has a thick body. He isn’t a great athlete, but what he does best is shoot it from the perimeter in the catch and shoot! He had 11 points. D2 should take a look. Great D3/NAIA candidate.
PG Ramar Evans (Loyola _ 2017)
Evans is a strong and compact 6’2” lead guard that plays off the ball some as well. He is coming off a great summer on the travel team circuit with Chicago Lockdown. The junior is strong getting in the lane powering his way through thinner defenders. Struggled with the three ball only hitting one of his five attempts. Sound passer that has a good feel for the game. He went for 8 points and 4 assists. Low-major should look, but might be best at the D2 level.
SG Milos Ljiljak (Maine South _ 2017)
Ljiljak is a projectable 6’4” small forward thin small forward that should continue to grow. He is a plus shooter from deep off the catch. At the Chicago Elite Classic with the game on the line coach drew up the play for the junior and he was rewarded with a game winning triple. The kid has great mechanics on his shot. Finished with 10 points and 4 rebounds.