Illinois Scouting: Salem Invitational Day 1 Standouts
PrepHoopsIllinois will be in attendance throughout the week at the Salem Invitational Tournament to see some quality teams and prospects from southern Illinois and beyond. Let’s take a look at the standouts from the first night of action! PG…
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Continue ReadingPrepHoopsIllinois will be in attendance throughout the week at the Salem Invitational Tournament to see some quality teams and prospects from southern Illinois and beyond. Let’s take a look at the standouts from the first night of action!
PG D’Aaron Owens (Centralia – 2016)
Owens is one of my favorite lead guards in the state. At 5’9” he has a great feel for the game and an off the charts basketball IQ. It was a bit of a slow start for the senior lead guard, but he sparked them in the second quarter and there was no looking back. Owens makes sound decisions in the half court with the ball really knowing how to run a team. Drive and kick guy that finds shooters. He was extremely effective speeding Salem up and getting their guards to turn the ball over which he converted into points on the other end with his speed. Owens had 13 points, 3 assists, and 5 steals while playing about 3 quarters. High level small college recruit that could play at the D2 level in the right system.
PF Cole Steward (Salem – 2017)
At 6’4” Steward is built like a football player and he is a very good tight end on the gridiron. This will probably where he excels on the college level. As a hoops player Steward had a great first quarter and was the catalyst for Salem’s early run. He is a physical post that likes contact. Finishes well around the hoop and garners deep post position on regular basis. Also hit a baseline jumper. Steward finished with 8 points.
PG Braden Fitzjerrells (Mt. Vernon – 2016)
Fitz had it all working on Wednesday night. The Lindenwood-Belleville commit is constantly moving. He got in the lane with ease where he made some great passes on the interior. He only had four assists, but probably should have had double digits if his teammates could finish. Fitzjerrells hit a sick step back three to close the first quarter. He loves the pull up jumper from three and hit several in this game. The senior had 23 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals.
PF Malcolm Ruff (Mt. Vernon – 2016)
Ruff is an intriguing 6’6” four man. He has great mobility and quickness on the interior. The senior was very active on the glass using his athleticism and quickness to consistently high point rebounds. Defensively he was a force blocking shots coming from the weakside, guarding his man straight up, and chasing his opponent down from behind. Shaky as a finisher around the hoop as he should have finished better through contact. Flashes upside through as he had several tremendous finishes in transition where he put it on the deck a few times. Ruff had 10 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2 steals. Needs to be looked at by D3/NAIA/JUCO schools.
F Braden Smith (Mattoon – 2016)
Smith is a 6’6” forward that has good mobility and projectable body with length and a strong upper body. He got to the free throw line at a high rate throughout the game using his toughness on the interior. Finished a nice high/low that he sealed off well. Solid area rebounder. Will need to continue to develop perimeter skill, but could be a small college player at the next level. He had 8 points.