NY2LA Association: 2017 Scouting Part 2
PrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance all weekend at the NY2LA Association in Minnesota. It was a great opportunity to evaluate a ton of quality prospects at various levels. Here we break down the class of 2017 in part 2 of our…
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Continue ReadingPrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance all weekend at the NY2LA Association in Minnesota. It was a great opportunity to evaluate a ton of quality prospects at various levels. Here we break down the class of 2017 in part 2 of our scouting report.
SF Nana Akenten (Illinois Celtics/Hoopers 17U)
The signature performance of the weekend was without a doubt from this Bolingbrook wing. The 6’6” small forward put on a complete show on Saturday including the best single performance we have seen all spring by any individual player. Akenten has a strong and athletic frame. He is a freak athlete which plays well on both ends of the floor. Offensively he had every single part of his game going. Jump shot was on point both off the catch and pulling up from both mid-range as well as three. Clean stroke with pure mechanics and elevation. Akenten is a go to scorer that can get to the rack off the bounce by using his explosive first step as well as shot fake to blow past defenders. Completely unstoppable in transition as a finisher. Mauled opponents on the offensive glass for put backs. He is a plus defender on the other end that has lockdown potential. First game of the day on Saturday he had 16 points. Followed that up with a 35 point performance at night. Mid-major plus prospect!
PF Brandon Lawani (Illinois Celtics/Hoopers 17U)
Lawani is a long and angular power forward that uses his quickness and explosiveness around the hoop to his advantage. The Bolingbrook post is a standout on the defensive end blocking shots. Raw offensively, but every now and then will put in a hook shot. Most likely a quality D3/NAIA guy.
PG Trey Mack (Illinois Celtics/Hoopers 17U)
The St. Ignatius 6’2” combo guard has great size and length at the lead guard spot. He isn’t overly flashy, but moves the ball around the perimeter and will score on occasion with a tough drive or a wing three. Small school prospect that has upside.
PF Connor Niego (Chicago Lockdown 17U)
So much intrigue with this 6’8” forward from Lyons Township. The wide shouldered forward has added some strength since last summer, but has even more room to fill out on his frame. His skill set is what makes him a D1 prospect. Niego can face up and knock down a jump shot out to beyond the arc with great form. Handles it good for a four man. Makes crisp passes. As a post player he is still developing. More of a face up four, but he did have a sweet high/low finish in one game. Tough and high IQ. Low-major prospect.
SG Drew Evans (Chicago Lockdown 17U – Class of 2016)
The 6’5” unsigned senior from Thornwood is a strong and athletic two guard who is among the best wings left in the state’s 2016 class. He was great using his explosive first step to blow by defenders and get to the rim. Evans finishes well through contact at the rack on a consistent basis. So powerful in the lane! Solid jump shooter hitting multiple threes. This is an area that he has continued to improve over the last year to where it is now a go to weapon. Defensively he is a lockdown defender with his lateral quickness and anticipation. In transition he is outstanding. Even showed a little passing flare. Low-major D1’s should take a serious look!
PG Joey Coffaro (Chicago Lockdown 17U)
The Hersey 5’10” point guard is tough as nails! He is a plus shooter from three both pulling up off the bounce and in catch and shoot situations. Strong with the ball handling it and is a quality passer making quick dishes on the interior. Coffaro is a pesky on ball defender that turns his man multiple times putting pressure on them at the point of attack. Great small college prospect.
SG Eric Higgs (Quad City Elite 17U)
The 5’11” Farmington guard is a 2017 prospect that can really shoot it! He is most effective off the catch with a quick release and consistent accuracy. Moves well without the ball, makes crisp passes, and is tough as nails. Quality D3/NAIA shooter.
PF Jacob Ellis (Quad City Elite 17U)
Ellis is a 6’7” power forward from Rock Island High School that has a strong build and a thick lower half. He can shoot the basketball as a face up four man stretching the floor to beyond the arc on occassion. Needs to continue to develop post moves and finish stronger around the hoop. Small college prospect.
PG Yaakema Rose (Yanders Law 17U)
The 5’9” point guard is small, but super strong and has the heart of lion! He uses his strength to be physical with his opponent getting in their grill and not letting them move when he is on the defensive end. Offensively he is a quality shooter pulling up from mid-range and hitting jumpers from three off the catch. Did a great job on the boards especially crashing the offensive glass despite his height. Worth a look at the D2 or high D3 level.
PG Milton Wordlow (Yanders Law 17U)
Wordlow has a small and thin build at 5’9”. He is quick and shifty with the ball in his hands getting in and out of tight spaces with ease. Flashy ball handler that at times can be a little too flashy leading to turnovers. Good drive and kick passer. Uses speed to push it in the open floor. Small college prospect.
PG Tai Bibbs (Mercury Elite 17U)
Bibbs is among the more highly recruited lead guards in the 2017 class. The West Chicago standout is a rangy 6’3” combo guard that has long arms. He is a streaky shooter that went cold for a while, but also had a hot streak. Very smooth with the rock in his hands and works well in the pick and roll where he can turn the corner then make decisions to score or dish. Hit a couple nice runners in the lane. D1 prospect that is being looked at by low and mid-major schools.
SF Bryan Jakobsze (Mercury Elite 17U)
Jakobsze is a 6’5” small forward with a solid feel on the wing. Tough versatile kid that is a quality athlete. Makes strong cuts to the basket and can finish with some sneaky bounce. Crisp passer. Does the little things on both ends of the floor well.
PG Jack Nolan (Mercury Elite 17U)
Nolan stands at 6’0” and is a standout perimeter shooter. He can really let it fly from beyond the arc. The Benet guard has shown development in his game not just being a catch and shoot guy. Can hit a pull up jumper. Although more of a combo guard Nolan can play on the ball if you need him to where he is a better passer than we originally thought. High level D3/NAIA prospect.
PF Charlie Blair (Mercury Elite 17U)
Blair is a 6’5” four man from Glenbard South. He is tough around the hoop using his strong build to finish through contact. Good hands and quick moves help him score. Snatches rebounds with his paws. Little mechanical and not the greatest athlete. Quality D3/NAIA post.