Most Under Recruited 2017 Illinois Prospects
The class of 2017 heads into the most important month of their careers. The next three weeks playing in front of college coaches will shape opinions that will turn into scholarship offers. Here we dive into a group of prospects…
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Continue ReadingThe class of 2017 heads into the most important month of their careers. The next three weeks playing in front of college coaches will shape opinions that will turn into scholarship offers. Here we dive into a group of prospects that we feel are the most under recruited players in the class.
PG Jacob Keller (Fenwick – Young Legends)
PG Jacob Keller (Fenwick – Young Legends)
What are yall waiting on? This lefty point guard more than proved during the spring that he can run the show at the point guard position. He has the “it” factor playing with a swagger that he will not let his team lose. Keller locks in on both ends of the floor being a plus distributor with slick handles. Defensively he is a force on the ball. Question mark is the jump shot, but he made significant strides over the last few months with it. Needs to be pursued by mid-major and low-major programs. He has offers from Siena and Vermont.
PG PJ Pipes (Lemont – Illinois Stars)
Pipes has done everything asked of him over the last year. The physical point guard has been more of a scorer early in his career as he is dominant going downhill and finishing in the paint. The jump shot consistency has improved particularly off the dribble. He has also made the transition to being more consistent at the point guard position as a decision maker getting others involved. Mid-major to low-major prospect. Pipes only offer is from Winona State.
PF Justin Carpenter (Mt. Carmel – Pocket City)
Carpenter is without a doubt the biggest value on the board in the state’s rising senior class of post players. At 6’7” the southern Illinois big man is supremely skilled with the ability to play with his back to the basket where he finishes at a high percentage. Has face up ability in the pick and pop game. Runs the floor tremendously well. Can even handle it a little on occasion. Carpenter is the #3 power forward in Illinois and only has one offer from D2 Southern Indiana.
SG Jamal Nixon (Fenwick – Illinois Wolves)
Nixon is our second Fenwick player on this list. He is a physical wing that doesn’t necessarily do one thing outstanding, but is a versatile basketball player that can play and defend multiple positions. Tough as nails. Nixon contributes on the boards and is an outstanding passer. Great glue guy! This low-major prospect currently is without a D1 or D2 offer.
SF Coreyoun Rushin (Westinghouse – Meanstreets)
Rushin is an uber athletic wing that can slash to the basket and excels in the transition game. Elite athlete that is great getting on the offensive glass for second chance points. Two way player that can defend both wing positions. Undervalued as he doesn’t see a ton of playing time on Meanstreets, but he is a low-major talent. Currently holds offers from Western Illinois and Winthrop.
SG Zach Couper (Rockford Boylan – Team RWA)
Couper is coming off a big junior season at Boylan where he is hidden a bit from the spotlight of Chicago. The smooth guard can really score at multiple levels. We saw him light it up in multiple games with Team RWA in the spring. Couper is a quality low-major target at the two guard position. Doesn’t hold any offers at this point.
SG Brandon Trimble (St. Joseph’s Ogden – Indiana Elite)
Trimble is another wing that had a breakout junior year. The small high school star from central Illinois led his team to the state championship doing so in style with monster performances. Trimble should be looked at by low-major programs and definitely given consideration at the D2 level. No offers on the table.
C Addison Lubert (St. Viator – Team RWA)
Can’t teach size at 6’9”. The legit center proved this spring he is one of the better post prospects in the state with his ability to score around the basket, rebound, and change the game with his shot blocking ability. Low-major and high D2 programs need to be on this kid! No offers at this stage.
SF Marvin Bateman (Belleville Althoff – Ramey/Jets United)
Shooter with size at 6’4” that has a projectable body! Bateman is one of the best pure catch and shoot guys in the state of Illinois. We have seen him go for some epic performances over the last few years from beyond the arc. Hasn’t really been asked to diversify his game too much in his role for his team. He needs to be on the low-major radar. Holds a D2 offer from Maryville.
PF Connor Niego (Lyons – Chicago Lockdown)
Skilled combo forward at 6’8” that is super competitive. Niego can stretch the floor with his shooting out to the arc and has really improved his ability to put the ball on the deck and get to the hoop. Runs the floor well and isn’t afraid to mix it up inside despite his lack of strength. Low-major prospect that only has an offer from Wisconsin-Green Bay heading into July.
SF Oliver Stephen (Edwardsville – Ramey/Jets United)
Stephen teams up with a Bateman to form the best wing shooting duo on the travel team circuit in the state. The Edwardsville 6’4” small forward is a big time shooter from the perimeter both pulling up and off the catch. Moves well without the ball to get open. Handles have improved over the last year and will surprise a defense with a drive every now and then. Low-major prospect that would also excel at the high D2 level. Holds offers from Illinois Springfield and Maryville.
SF Doug Wallen (Champaign Central – Illinois Irish)
Anyone who reads our site knows how big of a fan I am of Doug “Ballin” Wallen. The 6’4” combo forward plays so hard every game. His versatility is a major reason for the success that this Irish group has seen the last two seasons. Wallen is a plus passer that gets on the offensive glass and finishes in transition. Can play some small ball four on occasion. A school that believes he can fit in as a three man in their system at the low-major level would be wise to take a look. Otherwise he will be an all-conference D2 player. No offers heading into July.