Class of 2017 Wing Breakdown
Solid group of wings in the class of 2017 when looking at the shooting guard and small forward positions. Here we breakdown the position groups. The shooting guard position is headlined by the state’s top prospect in the class overall…
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Continue ReadingSolid group of wings in the class of 2017 when looking at the shooting guard and small forward positions. Here we breakdown the position groups.
The shooting guard position is headlined by the state’s top prospect in the class overall in Jordan Goodwin (Belleville Althoff). Goodwin is a physically dominant wing that has produced against any and all competition placed in front of him. He bruising wing that dominates one the boards, is an elite wing passer, and can score in the paint at will. He is closely followed by a player from the same town in Illini commit Javon Pickett (Belleville East). The wing is a silky smooth perimeter scorer that can flat out get buckets at all three levels. The next tier of shooting guards is athletic scoring duo Elijah Joiner (Curie) and Demarius Jacobs (Uplift). Both are mid-major targets that have the ability to put up points in a hurry. Lucas Williamson (Whitney Young) and Jamal Nixon (Fenwick) are versatile prospects that contribute in multiple categories and aren’t necessarily go to scorers. Three guys who look to get buckets in a major way that are on the low-major radar are Zach Couper (Rockford Boylan), Brandon Trimble (St. Joseph’s Ogden), and Dwayne Rose (Crete Monee). A few small college prospects that we like include Noah Frederking (Okawville), Malcolm Townsel (Whitney Young), and Luke Anthony (Wheaton North).
At the small forward spot Justin Smith (Stevenson) is the leader in the clubhouse going into July. Smith had a great first half to the spring putting his elite athleticism together with an improved motor. Nana Akenten (Bolingbrook), Charles Payton (Olympia), and Trevian Bell (Joliet West) are a trio of physically gifted wings that have the athleticism and upside to play at the mid-major level. Low-major small forwards to track are Coreyoun Rushin (Westinghouse) and Romon Douglas-Watkins (Peoria Manual). Both have had spectacular games, but aren’t overly consistent. The two best pure shooters in the state might be STL metro east duo Marvin Bateman (Belleville Althoff) and Oliver Stephen (Edwardsville). Small college prospects that are among our favorites are Doug Wallen (St. Thomas More), Max Muller (Porta), Jose Grubbs (Joliet Central), Austin Richie (Marian Catholic), and Justin Fox (Dwight Township).