Illinois Scouting: Waukegan vs Niles North
Waukegan traveled to Niles North on Tuesday night and recorded a road win by the final of 69-64. There were several prospects on each side that shined including some impressive underclassmen. Here is our full scouting breakdown of the game!…
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Continue ReadingWaukegan traveled to Niles North on Tuesday night and recorded a road win by the final of 69-64. There were several prospects on each side that shined including some impressive underclassmen. Here is our full scouting breakdown of the game!
SG Carson Newsome (Waukegan – 2017)
Newsome is a long and rangy 6’5” wing that has a projectable frame going forward. One area that he excelled was hitting his free throws late in the contest. He was consistent throughout the game at the charity stripe and did it in the clutch late putting the game away at the foul line. Newsome played on the ball quite a bit and showed a nice passing feel. He made several great dishes to the interior for assists. Active defender and area rebounder from the wing position. He had a big dunk in the open floor and a nice and-1 on an offensive rebound put back. At times he struggles with turnovers when handling against pressure and tends to be a bit of control around the hoop trying to finish through contact. Newsome finished with 13 points. Low-major/D2 prospect.
PG Deshawn Davidson (Waukegan – 2017)
The junior 6’1” point guard showed a solid feel for the lead guard position. Good handles and is best attacking off the bounce with crafty drives. Got to the rim fairly consistently using hesitation and slick ball handling. Can hit a mid-range pull up. Adequate passer that showed he could get others involved while still getting his points. Davidson had 18 points. We will watch him more closely this spring.
SF Bryant Brown (Waukegan – 2019)
Brown is listed at 6’3”, but looks probably about 6’4”. He has a long and lanky frame where he should continue to grow. Brown played mostly on the interior in this game. His long term projection will depend on how his wing skills develop or if he grows height wise into a four man. Defensively he impressed using his length, quickness, and athleticism to block a few shots. On the offensive end that athleticism shined through as well with several impressive finishes in the paint. Handles the ball well in the open floor and had a strong baseline drive late in the game that he converted. Jump shot from mid-range shows potential as he hit a couple including a long two from the baseline. High points rebounds. Definitely some tools to work with here! He had 18 points in the win.
PG Crishawn Cook (Niles North – 2016)
At 6’2” Cook is a pass first point guard that looks to get his teammates involved. He excels when driving and kicking to his teammates for open jump shots. Overall solid passer, but did have a few turnovers. Pesky on ball defender. He hit a wing three with a lot of arc on his shot, but that didn’t seem to be his game. More of an attacking guard looking for layups and avenues to get his teammates the ball. He had 11 points. D3/NAIA prospect.
SG Damaria Franklin (Niles North – 2018)
Franklin was on fire early in the game! The 6’1” shooting guard couldn’t miss with his jumper including several threes off the catch from Cook. He also had a pull up three with a quick release. Mixed in a euro step finish, but overall isn’t much of a driver. The spot up shooter had 20 points in the loss. One to track!
G Jamal Stephenson (Niles North – 2018)
This wasn’t the strongest game for the 6’2” combo guard, but there are definitely parts to like in his game. The left handed guard has a long and angular frame and should continue to grow. He is a flashy ball handler that can win off the bounce. He was a little loose with it at times struggling with some turnover issues. Hit a wing three pointer. Shoots more of a set shot and settled for it at times. Stephenson will be watched closely this spring. He had 3 points.
F Damone Williams-Gray (Niles North – 2019)
Williams-Gray stands at 6’4” with a strong body. He is a combo forward at this stage that played mostly on the interior. The freshman fights hard in the paint. Did some small things well taking a charge and being a strong area rebounder. One of his better moves was an aggressive baseline drive that he missed, but he collected the offensive rebound for a put back. His face up ability flashed with a mid-range jumper and a three. Did force the perimeter shot a little at times, but shoots a good ball. He had 11 points. Another 2019 to add to the watch list.