Class of 2017 Illinois Top Post Prospects
In this story we take a look at the top post prospects in the class of 2017 and breakdown their games. Christian Negron (Larkin) At 6’7” Negron is a face up four man that can handle it a couple…
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Continue ReadingIn this story we take a look at the top post prospects in the class of 2017 and breakdown their games.
Christian Negron (Larkin)
At 6’7” Negron is a face up four man that can handle it a couple dribbles attacking from the mid-post. When he uses his quickness against physical four men he is a quality scorer with quick spins and face up moves from the mid-post. Runs the floor hard in transition and is usually rewarded for it. Solid rebounder with a quick second jump to the offensive glass. Defensively is active having a couple blocks a game. The high major program that allows Negron to play his natural position and play his game is going to get a steal!
Cameron Krutwig (Jacobs)
The Jacobs rising senior proved why he is the top center in the new rankings this spring. Krutwig is a physical presence down low that knows how to use his strength to create space by banging down low with other centers. The Jacobs big man utilized several spin moves as well as a soft touch on short jump shots. Great footwork for a player of his size. Plus passer that sees over the double team finding shooters and cutters. He is solid rebounding. Mid-major plus prospect with high major post potential.
Manny Patterson (Kenwood)
Patterson is among the top post prospects in the class. He is a physical 6’8” power forward that has a strong and mature body. Patterson had a quality junior campaign at Kenwood where he was a major part of the greatest season in school history. Patterson’s post game improved throughout the year. Makes the biggest difference defensively in the paint and as a rebounder.
Justin Carptener (Mt. Carmel)
Carpenter is one of southern Illinois’ top prospects. He stands at 6’8” and is starting to fill out with strength in his upper body. He is extremely mobile and his face up ability makes him very intriguing at the next level with the way the college game is going. One aspect he has greatly enhanced is his ball handling. For his high school team Carpenter plays almost a point forward at times bringing the ball up where he handles it tremendously well against pressure. Smooth with the ball. Also is a plus passer that shows more of a flare for this than we had seen in the past. Athleticism and toughness combination plays well on the glass as he high points rebounds and grabs them at a quality clip. As a scoring threat he likes to face up from the mid-post and make a quick move to get by his man to the hoop. Posts up strong on the block and makes quick moves. Sound mid-range jump shooter. Defensively his length bothers opponents and has the mobility to switch on a guard when he has too.
Joey St. Pierre (Richmond Burton)
St. Pierre is among the top post players in the 2017 class standing at 6’10” 260 pounds. St. Pierre transferred back to Richmond Burton after starting the year at Indiana prep school La Lumiere. Displayed some power moves this spring for the Illinois Wolves including a nice drop step for scores. St. Pierre finishes powerfully off dump off passes on the interior. Passes it well out of double teams. Rebounds at a solid clip using his physical mass to box out. Will block an occasional shot. Lacks lateral foot speed guarding in a ball screen defensively. Probably the second best center in the 2017 class and is a prospect that should be looked at by low and mid-majors.
Jameel Alausa (Chicago U-High)
Alausa is a 6’7” combo forward. He is naturally an inside player that is trying to make the transition to playing on the perimeter more. The 2017 recruit shows his versatility with his ability to use his athleticism and length to his advantage. He is a big time athlete that excels in the transition game as a finisher. Also finishes well around the hoop using his quickness on the interior. Flashes skill attacking from the mid and high post area. Quality rebounder with even more upside on that end. High academic kid that needs to be on the D1 radar.
AJ Epenesa (Edwardsville)
The Iowa football commit is an elite player on the gridiron, but if he chose to play hoops would probably be a great mid-major talent. At 6’6” he is physically imposing around the rim with his strength. Not only that, but he has sound footwork, mobility, and touch to finish. Dominated as a junior playing for Edwardsville. The future is rushing the passer for this 5-star football recruit.
Connor Niego (Lyons Township)
Niego stands at 6’8” with length and the ability to get up and down the floor with ease. His ball handling has greatly improved over the last year. He has long strides in transition covering a lot of ground with the ball in a short amount of time. The skilled four man can hit the three ball on a consistent basis. Tough kid that should be tracked by low-major schools in July.
Addison Lubert (St. Viator)
Lubert is a 2017 prospect that jumped up the center board with his performance this spring. At 6’9” he has legit size and tremendous length. Defensively his mobility plays well being able to move blocking and altering shots. Good area rebounder that fights for 50/50 balls and is tough on the glass. Offensively runs the floor very well for his size. Good footwork around the hoop. Definitely should be on low-major/D2 radar!
TJ Clifford (Downers Grove South)
Clifford is a post with solid upper body strength. Likes to face up and can take his man out on the perimeter where he can hit a mid-range jumper or put it on the deck a couple times. Effective in the pick and pop game flaring out to the three point line to hit them on occasion. Quick around the hoop and toughness to compete on boards against bigger guys. Not a real back to the basket scorer at this stage.