NY2LA Next Level: Thursday Standouts
PrepHoopsIllinois was in the gym from 8 AM until the very last 2 OT game ended to close out the gym on Thursday at Homestead High School in Mequon, WI. Take a look at the Thursday standouts from the NY2LA…
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Continue ReadingPrepHoopsIllinois was in the gym from 8 AM until the very last 2 OT game ended to close out the gym on Thursday at Homestead High School in Mequon, WI. Take a look at the Thursday standouts from the NY2LA Sports Next Level Invitational.
PG PJ Pipes (Illinois Stars 17U)
Everyone knows I am a huge PJ Pipes fan. This 6’1” point guard just gets the job done. He did it again on Thursday leading them to a comeback win by literally throwing his team on his back and carrying them for stretches. Pipes is a powerful and compactly built guard that can score at all three levels with a pull up jumper, three off the catch, mid-range stop and pop, as well as getting to the rack. Passing continues to make strides. He holds 3 D2 offers. I believe he is a no brainer low-major prospect and possibly under consideration at the mid-major level.
PF Tee’Aaron Powell (Illinois Stars 17U)
Powell had his most complete day of the circuit on Thursday. The 6’8” power forward from Marian Catholic is a long and angular big that at times can be mechanical and think too much. Thursday he got deep post position on a consistent basis and went to work from there. Powell used a variety of hook shots especially with his right hand to finish on short shots. Kept the ball high in the post which has been a problem in the past bringing it low and getting stripped by defenders. Competed on the glass for contested boards. Solid D2 prospect with the potential to get to low-major.
G Jack Nolan (Mercury Elite 17U)
Nolan is a 5’11” combo guard that mostly plays off the ball, but at the next level will have to be a point guard. The Benet guard is a big time perimeter shooter. He might be among the best catch and shoot guys in the state. He is starting to show more to his game however. Displaying he can put it on the deck a bit and get to the rim on occasion. Also setting up his jump shot off the dribble more effectively. Great D3/NAIA prospect.
PF Taylor Bruninga (Illinois Irish 17U)
The Illini Bluffs power forward continues his rise up the board. After a strong spring he has continued that into the summer. Stretch four man that can shoot it from the perimeter. Particularly likes the corners off the catch. Had a nice baseline drive showing some athletic burst we have not seen before. Runs the floor well. Fought hard on the glass for 50/50 balls. D2 prospect that is going to possibly get some LM consideration with the lack of bigs in 2017.
C Alex Filo (Chicago Lockdown 17U)
Best I have seen this 6’8” Neuqua Valley post play. He was a beast on the boards rebounding everything in his area. He was gobbling them up with regularity. High pointed defensive boards and outleted them quickly to his guards. Not the greatest athlete vertically he does use his length to alter shots. Offensively is a bit raw finishing, but has tools to work with. D2 to D3/NAIA prospect.
SF Terrence Lewis (Playground Elite 17U)
Lewis is a freak show athlete and one of the premier wing prospects in the Midwest. The Wisconsin product is unguardable when he gets going downhill whether it be in transition or the half court. Best in transition where his athleticism plays well and has the ability to change direction getting in and out of tight spaces quickly. Pull up jumper was a bit streaky, but he did hit a couple displaying pure form and elevation off the floor. High-major prospect.
SG Demarius Jacobs (All-In/Young & Reckless 17U).
Jacobs was slow to get things going, but when he did he really showed out for college coaches. At 6’2” Jacobs is a big time athlete that is at his best getting to the rim off the bounce which is exactly what he did in key situations late. Great burst of speed with the ball in his hands and has the ability to change directions in the lane while still getting the ball up on the rim. Jumper wasn’t falling. Mid-major target.
PF Matthew Szuba (Kessel Heat 17U)
Szuba came out of nowhere to almost lead Kessel to an upset win over All-In/Young & Reckless. The 6’6” four man is a floor spacer that was in a zone shooting it from beyond the arc. Hit them both off the catch and pulling up on his own. Despite his lack of athleticism he fights hard on the interior. Great D3/NAIA prospect.
SG Cardell McGee (Yanders Law 16U)
McGee is a 6’3” shooting guard from Springfield Lanphier High School. The long and athletic wing has a great frame and looks the part of a college two guard. He had multiple slippery drives through traffic to finish at the rim. McGee also got to the line at a good clip. Made some solid dishes in the half court. Potential mid-major prospect in 2018.
SG Ryan Cicenas (Mercury Elite 16U)
Cicenas had quite a day! The Riverside Brookfield wing can flat out shoot the basketball. During July Cicenas is playing with a new Mercury Elite team at both the 16U and 17U levels. In a 16U game Cicenas caught fire from three hitting four of them in the first handful of minutes. He can really shoot it from deep and even step in to hit a one dribble pull up. He went for 18 points.
SG Mitch Mascari (Illinois Stars 15U)
Mascari is a 6’3″ shooting guard from Geneva High School. The 2019 prospect opened our eyes with his slick ball handling in the half court. He was able to get where he needed on the floor to operate. Smooth perimeter stroke as well hitting a few triples off the catch. Passing flare in the half court.
SG Anthony Fairlee (Illinois Irish 15U)
Fairlee is a 6’3” shooting guard that is a freak athlete. He is in the top tier of athletes in the state! He uses his athleticism best when attacking the hoop going downhill in both the half court and transition getting in the paint and using his physical strength and athleticism to score above the rim. Jumper from deep wasn’t very consistent. Has a chance to be a big time defender at the next level. Needs to be on the MM and LM radar.
SG Jamir Price (Quad City Elite 15U)
Price is a 6’0” shooting guard from Rock Island that might not wow you with production quite yet, but there is no doubting the physical tools are all there. He has a good build with athleticism. Handles well in the open floor pushing it. Explosive first step. Flashes creativity as a passer. Potential D1 prospect.
SG Mohammad Alausa (All-In/Young & Reckless 15U)
At 6’3” this shooting guard has a lot to bring to the table. Built strong, athletic, and with broad shoulders like his older brother 2017 prospect Jameel Alausa. Mohammad is a pure wing however with his quickness and elite athleticism leading the way. Gets to the hoop in a couple long strides gliding to the rim where he finishes with either hand. Defensively is a presence blocking unsuspecting opponents shots and moves his feet laterally on defense.
PG Zach Touissant (Kessel Heat 15U)
Touissant has garnered a nickname from us and that is the “Baby Faced Assassin.” He literally looks like he is 10 years old out there against other 15 year olds, but he can flat out shoot the rock. Tremendous range pulling up from deep and drilled them off the catch as well. Quick stroke with repeatable mechanics. 23 points from the rising sophomore who will be one to watch especially if he grows taller than the 5’10” he is currently listed at.