2017 Post Stock Risers
There wasn’t a ton of overall upward movement with prospects at the post positions. For the most part they stayed where we saw them in July or dropped slightly with the emergence of prospects at other positions. Here are a…
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Continue ReadingThere wasn’t a ton of overall upward movement with prospects at the post positions. For the most part they stayed where we saw them in July or dropped slightly with the emergence of prospects at other positions. Here are a few that did boost their standings in the latest rankings.
TJ Clifford (Downers Grove South)
Clifford had a strong July with the Illinois Wolves and picked up right where he left off during his junior season. The 6’7” junior four man has a nice combination of strength and mobility which makes him a matchup problem. He is quick with the ball when he gets it making fast decisions with what he is going to do with it. Strong and aggressive finishing around the hoop with athleticism. Quality mid-range shooter. Clifford is a sound passing post with good finds on the perimeter to cutters. Defensively he is active using his length getting in passing lanes. Continues to improve as a rebounder as he is quick to the glass. Plays with a great motor. Runs the floor tremendously well for a big. Mid-major and low-major programs should monitor this junior as he is one of the better players at his position in the state.
Connor Niego (Lyons)
Niego has long arms and a projectable frame for a combo forward. Will definitely need to add strength going forward into college, but he has two years to work on that. Niego excels in the open floor running with his long strides where he is light on his feet and beats his opponent down the floor on the regular basis. With the ball in his hands he handles it well in the open floor. Niego is mobile around the hoop and finishes well. Length and lateral mobility give him a chance on the defensive end. Posted quality numbers as a junior.
Ayo Ajayi (St. Patrick’s)
Ajayi moved to Chicago from Canada and the 6’6” rangy four man has some potential. He has a long and lanky body that he will continue to add strength. Runs the floor very well finishing on passes in transition. High points rebounds and is active on the offensive glass. Flashes skill, but it is not all the way there yet as his hands need to continue to get better and ball skills develop. Solid free throw shooter. Defensively is a presence with his length as a shot blocker. Raw, but definitely has upside.
Cameron Gross (Oak Park River Forest)
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 and rebounds well. Handles the ball in the open floor, but is not a consistent shooter.
Jaquan Lawrence (Perspectives)
Lawrence is rail thin at 6’7” and will need to add significant strength to contribute at the college level, but there are a lot of intriguing tools to work with. The long and lanky four man is mobile and extremely active. Quick jumper off the floor to the glass and high points rebounds. Can hit occasional mid-range jumper.
Justin Stovall (Whitney Young)
Stovall jumped on our radar with his play at the Proviso West Holiday Tournament over the holidays. At 6’7” the long and lanky post runs the floor like a guard. He is a good passing big and is efficient scoring on his touches around the hoop. . One to continue to monitor going forward.