Springfield: 2016 Prospects
The Adam Lopez Country Financial Thanksgiving Tournament at Springfield Lanphier High School was a great opportunity to evaluate some of the top prospects in the central part of Illinois and beyond. Here we break down the 2016 prospects at the…
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Continue ReadingThe Adam Lopez Country Financial Thanksgiving Tournament at Springfield Lanphier High School was a great opportunity to evaluate some of the top prospects in the central part of Illinois and beyond. Here we break down the 2016 prospects at the event.
PG Xavier Bishop (Springfield Lanphier _ 2016)
Bishop put on a show in front of his home fans! What the 5’9” point guard does on the high school level is something special to watch. Bishop is quick and shifty with the rock in his hands. He looks to score and boy can he. The senior loves the step back three and mid-range game. Also moves well without the ball to get open coming off screens and is ready to shoot as soon as it touches his hands. The Lanphier standout hit some incredible shots! His speed getting to the hoop was on full display as he got in the lane finishing with a variety of scoop shots and runners. Didn’t pass the ball much as he was playing off the ball the majority of the night. This is an area he will have to prove to coaches at the next level he can do on a night in and night out basis. There is no doubt though this kid can ball! He had 31 points on 12-21 from the field for the game.
PG Simeon Henton (North Chicago _ 2016)
Henton is a long and wiry lead guard that impressed with his ability to get out in transition. He has speed in the open floor and is a plus athlete. That plays well with how North Chicago likes to get it and go. Henton has slick handles and can get to the rim off the bounce. Also mixed in a couple pull up jumpers. Good rebounding guard. Defensively has potential with active hands and lateral quickness. Finished with 16 points. D2 radar and would be a great player for a D3/NAIA.
PF LaRoyce Gordon (North Chicago _ 2016)
The North Chicago 6’6” senior power forward is a plus athlete. Gordon runs the floor well for his size. Can knock down a 15 foot jump shot. D3/NAIA candidate went for 6 points.
SF Austin Juergens (Pekin _ 2016)
The Pekin 6’4” senior small forward put his team on his back in the second half. He has a strong build and good length. Makes aggressive moves to the hoop and knows how to use his body to shield the defender and create space. Got to the line at a good clip and knocked down his free throws. Hit a corner three, but that was the only one he knocked down out of the four he attempted. Tough kid that rebounds the basketball. Worth a look at the D3/NAIA level. He had 19 points.
PF Nick Finke (Champaign Central _ 2016)
Finke is a mobile four man that runs the floor well. He likes to use his lefty jumper as a face up power forward. His range stretches out to three as he hit one from the corner in this game. Also hit the boards for an offensive rebound put back. Was aggressive on the glass in the second half. Struggled a bit handling the ball on the perimeter against pressure. Finished with 10 points. Finke is committed to Army.
SG Sam Lessaris (Champaign Central _ 2016)
Lessaris is a tough shooting guard that does the little things well. He is an adequate shooter that looked good spotting up. Looks like he will take the academic route instead of pursuing basketball, but local D3/NAIA schools would be wise to track him as a senior.
SF Leroy Smith (Peoria Manual _ 2016)
Smith is a long wing with good strength. He looks the part and flashes ability, but it isn’t consistently there. Hit a nice face up 15 foot jumper, but that was about it offensively for the senior. NAIA/D3/JUCO prospect.
PG Maurice Chairs (East St. Louis _ 2016)
Chairs is a tiny point guard that is quick and shifty with the ball in his hands. Attacks off the bounce and is most effective in an up and down tempo game. Defensively pressures the ball full court and causes turnovers with his motor and intensity. Went for 7 points. D3, NAIA, and JUCO’s that don’t mind small point guards could get a steal in Chairs.
SF Antonio Johnson (East St. Louis _ 2016)
Johnson is a big and physical 6’5” small forward that has gotten thicker in his upper body even more since last year. The senior uses his physicality as a slasher. He has improved his ball handling since last season and had several nice drives to the hoop off the bounce. Can be a bit wild with it at times though. Great finish through contact for an and-1 at the rim. The jump shot needs considerable work. Rebounds well for his position. 7 points and 9 rebounds in the game we saw. Might be a nice JUCO fit with his style of play and could work on developing his game there.
PG Jordan Barnes (CBC, MO _ 2016)
It was a slow start for Barnes, but the second quarter really ignited him. The Indiana State commit hit three triples to close out the half including a buzzer beater from half court. What would you expect as this is what he is known for! What I love about Barnes’ game is he is always under control and plays with confidence. He relays that on too his team and never lets them get rattled. The senior has a high basketball IQ and great vision. He knows how to make the best decision with the basketball and does it on a regular basis. Another area he excels is getting to the line and knocking down his attempts from the charity stripe. Barnes had 22 points and 7 assists in a win on Lanphier’s home floor.
SG Christian Willis (CBC _ 2016)
Willis is one of the more underrated wings in the senior class in Missouri. The strong two guard attacks the hoop with combination moves always being strong with the basketball. He can really shoot it from all over the floor with a sweet jumper whether it is mid-range or three he puts them in with a clean stroke. Arkansas State is getting a steal with this wing who had 21 points.
C Duane Clark (CBC _ 2016)
Clark is a thick bodied center that is very strong in his upper body. Has big hands to snatch rebounds. Space eater on the interior. When he gets deep post position it is over as he finishes through contact. Clark will be a solid player for UMKC throughout his career and is one of the better bigs in Missouri. He had 9 points (4-8 FG) and 12 rebounds in a win over Lanphier.