Scouting Ridgewood Classic: 2016
The Ridgewood Hoops Classic was a great opportunity to scout six quality teams filled with prospects at a variety of college levels. Here we look in depth at the 2016 prospects at the event. PF Ammar Becar (Niles Notre Dame…
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Continue ReadingThe Ridgewood Hoops Classic was a great opportunity to scout six quality teams filled with prospects at a variety of college levels. Here we look in depth at the 2016 prospects at the event.
PF Ammar Becar (Niles Notre Dame _ 2016)
The 6’6” senior power forward is one of the most productive high school players in the state of Illinois. Becar has a physical body and is a below the rim big, but his athleticism has shown glimpses of improvement since we saw him in July. The first aspect that stands out with Becar is a never ending motor! He plays harder than any opponent he is on the floor with. He is scrappy and has a nose for the basketball. His offensive game was on full display. He is a plus jump shooter from mid-range and boy was he drilling them from all over the floor. Becar sets his man up creating space and hits fadeaways from 15-18 feet. Uses hesitation and fakes on the interior to get the defense off balance scoring inside with toughness and getting to the free throw line. Didn’t rebound at as high of rate as usual. Finished with 33 points (13-18 FG).
PF Anthony DêAvanzo (Niles Notre Dame _ 2016)
D’Avanzo has been hampered by injuries one of his teammates told us. Something had to be up as the power forward wasn’t his usual self. He got in foul trouble and finished with 6 points. Still worth a look at the D2 level with his ability to score with his back to the basket and hit mid-range jumpers which we saw all spring and summer.
SG Lucas Simon (Niles Notre Dame _ 2016)
Simon is a 6’5” guard that has go go gadget type length. He knows how to use it on the defensive end. Offensively he handles the ball well and makes solid passes. Never wows you, but is a team player that does the little things and will be a fit at a D3 or NAIA program.
PF Jalen Louie (Lincoln Park _ 2016)
Louie beasted on the interior for Lincoln Park! The 6’4” powerfully built four man is undersized, but makes up for it with strength and motor. He had several impressive tip dunks and rebounded at a high rate. Used quickness and angles on a couple post moves. Because of his size he probably only projects as a small college or JUCO prospect, but will definitely contribute somewhere next year! He had 19 points and 12 rebounds.
PG Willie Walton (St. Laurence _ 2016)
Walton is a 5’11” powerfully built point guard. He is a tough guard that gets in the lane and scores with runners and powerful layups around the hoop. Gets to the line at a good clip. Solid passer that has a feel for threading the needle in the half court on back cuts and quick passes inside. Walton is an active defender. Senior had 16 points. Worth consideration at the D3, NAIA, or JUCO level.
SG Brett Risley (St. Laurence _ 2016)
Risley is a 6’2” shooting guard that is a solid defender. He was effective defending on the perimeter and got a couple steals including a layup off one. Hit a nice catch and shoot three. In the right system could play at the D3/NAIA level.
PG James McQuillan (St. Charles East _ 2016)
McQuillan elevated his stock significantly over the summer on the grassroots circuit. He started off right where he left off in the first half hitting a pair of catch and shoot threes. Good feel for the game at 6’4” and is strong with the basketball. Unfortunately he left the contest with a foot injury at halftime. Worth consideration at the low D2 level and is a no brainer for D3 and NAIA schools. He had 8 points in the first half.
G Evan DiLeonardi (St. Charles East _ 2016)
After a first half injury to senior James McQuillan and their star sophomore Justin Hardy already sidelined with a concussion it was the senior guard that stepped up in the second half. DiLeonardi stands at 6’3” and is super tough. He had a nice back cut for a layup, hit a running layup, and got a three behind a screen. Quick on the defensive end. He had 13 points. Worth a look at the D3 level.
SG JT Ford (St. Charles East _ 2016)
Ford is a 6’4” wing with good size for the two guard spot. He is a solid catch and shoot guy from three with a high release point. Showed glimpse of being able to put the ball on the deck. With his size and ability to connect from the perimeter he should find a home at a D3 or NAIA.
PF Zachary Hondlik (St. Charles East _ 2016)
This 6’6” four man stepped out to hit a three. Also is a quality free throw shooter. Small college prospect went for 9 points.
SG Sean Ek (St. Patrickês _ 2016)
Ek is a 6’0” guard that plays with a lot of fire and passion for the game. He gets in the lane and hit a couple tough runners. Also made several trips to the charity stripe. Did knock in one catch and shoot three. He is also a small college prospect. Ek had 12 points.