NY2LA Next Level: Wednesday Standouts
PrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance Wednesday night to open up the first July live period in Mequon, Wisconsin at the NY2LA Sports Next Level Invitational. New names emerged and others we already knew stood out on night one! Check out our standouts from Wednesday!
SF Ethan Schuemer (Mercury Elite 16U)
Schuemer put himself on our radar with his play. The Willowbrook 6’5” combo forward plays with a tremendous motor and was always around the basketball. His activity level and length helped him blocking a few shots on the defensive end. The forward got on the offensive glass for multiple put backs. Played mostly inside, but showed he could put it on the deck a couple times from the mid-range.
C Ben Wolf (Mercury Elite 16U)
At 6’9” this Naperville Central center in the 2018 class presents great size for the position to go along with good upper body strength. Not overly explosive vertically and was a bit mechanical, but you have to like how he runs the floor for his size. He is a quality rebounder particularly on the offensive glass where he grabs boards and keeps it high to finish. Hit a baseline jump shot. Defensively his length and potential as a shot blocker has an effect on the game in the paint. Potential D1 prospect down the line especially if he continues to develop.
SF Bryan Jakobsze (Mercury Elite 17U)
The Downers Grove North 6’5” small forward showed us a lot more to his game than we saw in the spring on Wednesday night. Jakobsze was flying all over the floor and playing with a motor. At times he will turn it over or run into a teammate because of it, but he is always moving. His defense got things started turning turnovers into points on the other end. He had a stretch of a few possessions where he got a stop on one end and converted on the other including a big flush. Tough wing that competes on both ends. Better athlete than we initially thought. He displayed some solid three point ability as well. Potential D2 prospect.
PG Yaakema Rose (Yanders Law 17U)
Rose is a Springfield Lanphier lead guard at probably about 5’9” that is a bulldog competitor. Rose has a thick and compact body which allows him to attack going downhill where he finishes with force. At times can be a bit out of control with it, but he keeps going at the rim. Powerful finishing in the lane and sticks his nose into rebound. Best move of the day was when he crossed his man leaving him in the dust and scoring in the paint. Potential D2 prospect that could be a spark plug for a team.
SG Lacey Watson (Quad City 16U)
It wasn’t even one of Watson’s better games that we have seen this spring/summer, but he still impressed college coaches. The Rock Island 6’3” 2018 shooting guard has great acceleration with the ball in his hands. Quick first step and consistently wins off the bounce. Was inconsistent finishing through contact at the rim, but even if he misses the first he has a quick second jump to get his own rebound for a put back. Didn’t hit a jump shot, but got in the lane scoring Wednesday night. Mid-major to low-major prospect.
SG Devynn Wakefield (Quad City 16U)
Wakefield was hurt for part of the spring so it was great to see the United Township wing back out on the floor. At 6’3” the wing is smooth with the ball and a slick passer. He is light on his feet gliding on the floor. Hit a few jumpers including a fade away and three. Like his projectablity as a potential low-major prospect.
SG Demarius Jacobs (All-In/Young & Reckless 17U)
It wasn’t a dominant scoring game from Jacobs, but he definitely flashed. The 6’3” Uplift shooting guard is an elite athlete that showed it on both ends of the floor. He was a major factor on the defensive end using his lateral quickness to get a few steals. The most impressive part of his game was his multiple LeBron come from behind blocks where he pinned opponent’s shots on the glass. Offensively he was best in transition as a finisher. Shot was streaky although he did hit one in the second half. Solid mid-major prospect.
PF Dolapo Olayinka (All-In/Young & Reckless 17U)
This Mather 6’4” undersized four man is a junk yard dog! He is angular and uses his length and activity level to make up for his lack of height. Gets on the offensive glass and clears it on the defensive end. Most of his points come on put backs and in transition. Lacks ideal size and skill. Great D3/NAIA big man that will be a warrior on the interior for four years!
F Justin Bottorff (Quad City 17U)
Bottorff made the move over to Quad City Elite and in his debut was impressive. The 6’6” combo forward was best using a variety of fakes and crafty moves to get his shot off. Was particularly effective working in iso situations from the mid-post area where he drilled 15 foot jumpers. Also hit a few threes off the catch. He went for 15 points. One of the best games we have seen out of the Quincy Notre Dame senior. Worth a look at the D2 level, but would be an outstanding small college face up four man!
SF Nana Akenten (Illinois Celtics/Hoopers 17U)
The highest rated prospect we saw Wednesday was this wing. The Bolingbrook 6’6” small forward started off slow, but showed his immense potential late in the first half. Akenten has plus size, strength, and athleticism. That is a pretty good combo when you throw in his has a lethal jumper as well. Akenten hit back to back threes followed by a slick one dribble pull up. Got out in the transition game and accelerates with the ball in his hands off the bounce. He didn’t completely take over the game like he could have, but was still very good. Mid-major plus prospect.