NY2LA Association Friday Standouts
PrepHoopsIllinois will be in attendance all weekend at the NY2LA Sports Spring Extravaganza which is also the first stop of the NY2LA Basketball Association. We caught several quality games on Friday night and here were the standout performers. SG…
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Continue ReadingPrepHoopsIllinois will be in attendance all weekend at the NY2LA Sports Spring Extravaganza which is also the first stop of the NY2LA Basketball Association. We caught several quality games on Friday night and here were the standout performers.
SG Eric Higgs (Quad City Elite 17U)
Higgs closed the night out in style for Quad City Elite shooting the ball great from beyond the arc. 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. Higgs had 17 points. Quality D3/NAIA shooter.
PG PJ Pipes (Illinois Stars 17U)
Pipes is a strong scoring point guard from Lemont High School. The 2017 lead guard is powerful driving to the hoop, but was actually most effective on Friday with his perimeter jumper hitting a pair of threes off the catch. He did a solid job running the troops in the first half. Pipes is a D1 prospect that garnered a lot of college coaches.
SG Jose Grubbs (Illinois Stars 17U)
At 6’3” this Joliet Central standout has a lot of intangibles that you love in a player. Physically he has great length and good muscle tone. Grubbs is a tremendous glue guy for the Illinois Stars. He does the little things. Dives after loose balls, gets offensive rebounds, plays tough defense. High activity level with a never ending motor. As a scorer was best in the transition game and getting buckets off put backs. Small college prospect that will be a player the coach he plays for loves having for four years.
SF Charles Payton (All-In/Young & Reckless 17U)
The 6’6” Olympia High School small forward made his debut with All-In/Young & Reckless. The bouncy forward fits right in. Although he didn’t show a ton skill wise which is an area he will need to improve his athleticism is at such an elite level that he is effective on that alone. Payton hit the glass high pointing rebounds and had several second chance put backs. The transition game is his best asset offensively getting out in the open floor and finishing with ferocious slams. Defensively Payton moves well laterally and is a shot blocking presence coming out of nowhere to pin it against the glass. The top 10 2017 prospect had 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
SG Demarius Jacobs (All-In/Young & Reckless 17U)
We are still waiting for that dominant performance from Jacobs, but he flashes the potential that makes him so intriguing as a prospect every game. The 6’3” shooting guard is uber bouncy playing above the rim with an explosive jump off the floor. He is great using his speed in transition beating his man down the floor and finishing with acrobatics. Slashed it well and even showed a couple solid passes. Only 8 points, but has the upside that mid-major and low-majors schools love. Defensively if he locks in can be very good on that end of the floor as well.
SG Drew Evans (Chicago Lockdown 17U)
The 6’5” unsigned senior from Thornwood is going to come out of this weekend with a D1 offer if he continues to play like he did on Friday night. The strong and athletic two guard is among the best wings left in the state. 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 a wing three. 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 late. Finished with 18 points. Low-major D1’s should take a serious look over the next two weeks!
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. Tough and high IQ. He had 10 points. Low-major prospect.
PG Jalen Suggs (Grassroots Hoops 17U)
Our out of state star of the night was this 6’3” Minnesota 2020 point guard prospect. Yes an incoming freshman was playing up on the 17U level! Suggs is a long and rangy lead guard that has a tremendous feel for the game and is an elite passer. Defends well on the perimeter turning that into points on the other end. Early potential high major prospect.