Nike Elite 100: Illinois Prospects
PrepHoops was in attendance all week at the prestigious Nike Elite 100 Camp in St. Louis to see the best 2018 and 2019 prospects in the country. We start off our look at the camp with the five Illinois prospects…
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Continue ReadingPrepHoops was in attendance all week at the prestigious Nike Elite 100 Camp in St. Louis to see the best 2018 and 2019 prospects in the country. We start off our look at the camp with the five Illinois prospects that participated.
PG Ayo Dosunmu (Morgan Park – 2018)
Dosunmu was lethal the first two and a half days scoring the ball. The slick 6’2” point guard got off to several fast starts by knocking down threes in transition. He has a free and effortless release and deep range on his perimeter jumper. His quickness off the bounce and handles allowed him to get by defenders throughout the event getting in the lane where he would either finish with a short runner or find teammates. Despite his prolific scoring numbers, he actually passed it pretty well throughout the camp. He was particularly effective in the drive and kick game finding his shooters for open looks. Overall made quality decisions with the ball. Did have a few turnovers, but in this type of setting almost all point guards do. Defensively he made some plays getting his hands on steals and taking them the other way pushing in transition. High major prospect and is closing the gap between #2 and #1 overall in the state.
SG Tim Finke (Champaign Central – 2018)
Speaking of the #1 the state’s top 2018 prospect was also in attendance. Finke is a 6’5” shooting guard that is a complete player that plays team ball. Sometimes those type of players might not necessarily standout in these settings unless you watch very closely. Finke is a plus shooter that was streaky throughout the week. Had his hot streaks as well as missing a few in a row. Finke shoots the ball with balance, elevation, and great form. This will translate to the next level. Plus athlete that showed he could compete on that level against national competition. The part that might have impressed us the most was his passing. Finke made tons of sweet dishes especially after winning off the bounce and finding posts for quick passes in the paint. This high major player does everything well and will be an impact player across the state the next two years.
PG Xavier Castaneda (Whitney Young – 2018)
Castaneda might have been the most impressive we have seen him in his young career in St. Louis. I think what that tells you is when you put other great players around him he plays up to that level and can play his game. Castaneda was a true table setter getting others involved throughout the week. At 5’11” the rising junior worked well in the pick and roll game. Got in the lane off the bounce finding his teammates when the doubles came. Very impressive speed in the open floor. Threw a few bullets for dimes through multiple. As a scorer he mixed in some threes and layups in traffic. Showed potential on the defensive end, but doesn’t bring it on a consistent basis. Has a chance to be a high major player. Staying healthy consistently is the biggest key for him because when on the court he is a problem.
C Francis Okoro (Normal West – 2019)
Okoro established himself not only as the clear #1 player in 2019, but probably the best prospect overall in the state of Illinois. At 6’8” and 225 pounds he is built like a college basketball player already with incredible raw strength. In a setting where he physically wasn’t as overpowering as he usually is with so many physical bigs across the camp, Okoro still dominated. He might have been the best pure rebounder in the group. The Normal West rising sophomore was an absolute BEAST on the boards. He rebounded both in and out of his area using his quickness and athleticism high pointing balls and throwing strong outlet passes. As a scorer he hit the offensive glass extremely hard for second chance points. Also utilized his quickness inside to finish with a variety of hooks and dunks. His motor and desire to want to be great is in a top tier. On occasion can hit a face up 15-18 foot jumper, but the release is rather slow and got blocked several times. Defensively Okoro is a major shot blocking presence. He did get dunked on a few times, but never backed down and got way more blocks than dunks on him. Top 10 prospect nationally and the no doubt top prospect in 2019 in Illinois.
SF Malik Hall (Metea Valley – 2019)
The 6’6” wing from Metea Valley is among the top rising sophomore prospects in the state after he reclassified earlier this spring. Hall is a skilled wing that presents size and skill at the three position. He was most effective in the open floor handling the ball where he showed a nice feel for the game. Made a few slick euro steps and nice passes in transition. Quality athlete that flashed it, but wasn’t overly assertive when we saw him. Shot was very streaky and he had trouble finishing at the rim. His upside however is off the charts and without question has high major potential once he adds strength to his frame and gets that killer mindset in his game.