Scouting KC: Wednesday Standouts
PrepHoopsIllinois will be in Kansas City for three tournaments during the final live period of July. We opened it up with Wednesday night games at the Jayhawk Finale in Overland Park, Kansas. Here are the standout performers! SG Jordan…
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Continue ReadingPrepHoopsIllinois will be in Kansas City for three tournaments during the final live period of July. We opened it up with Wednesday night games at the Jayhawk Finale in Overland Park, Kansas. Here are the standout performers!
SG Jordan Goodwin (St. Louis Eagles 17U)
The Eagles had to wait for a while for an opponent to arrive and once they did they completely rolled them. In fact the Belleville Althoff standout almost outscored the other team by himself as the Eagles won 87-30. Goodwin was his usual beast mode. Took it to the rim aggressively and was relentless attacking the defense. He had several acrobatic finishes at the rim where he either finished with power or used great acrobatics and body control to move the ball around defenders to score. Was active on the defensive end in the Eagles full court pressure defense causing turnovers and getting it going the other way. Clearly the top prospect in the state’s 2017 class. Goodwin went for 28 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 assists.
SG Tim Finke (St. Louis Eagles 17U)
Finke is one of the state’s premier 2018 prospects. The Champaign Central shooting guard played within himself and was a key participant in the Eagles route on both ends of the floor. Finke was very good clearing the defensive glass and starting the break the other way. He also got on the offensive glass for a couple put backs. Hit a pair of threes, one a pull up and another off the catch from the corner. Showed off his athleticism with a big dunk as well. Finke had 11 points and 10 rebounds. He is without a doubt a high-major priority for Midwest schools.
SG Marcedus Leech (St. Louis Eagles 17U)
The long and lanky wing from Poplar Bluff (MO) is a big time athlete. The 2019 prospect is exceptional in the open floor with his ability to accelerate with the ball and finish at the rim. Great speed handling it and running down the floor with a purpose filling the lane to finish. Monster dunker in the open floor and had multiple slams in this one. Capable shooter from three. Flare for passing it in the open floor. Once he adds strength should be among the premier 2019 prospects in the nation.
SF Mitch Ballock (KC Run GMC 17U)
We only got to catch a little of Ballock’s game for KC Run GMC 17U, but you have to like what this Creighton commit brings to the table. The 6’3” rising senior has a thick build and a crafty game. I love how he uses angles to get to the basket and can change directions in the lane on a dime. Plus perimeter shooter from three with a sweet lefty stroke.
C Bol Bol (KC Run GMC 16U)
The 7’0” center from Bishop Miege (MO) is the son of former NBA player Manute Bol. He is a long and lanky post that runs the floor tremendously well. Standout on the defensive end. He blocks or alters everything that comes in the lane with his incredible wingspan. Bol also moves well laterally on defense when having to defend in a ball screen as he can stay with his man and recover if he needs too. Offensively there was a lot of catching dump off passes and slamming them down really hard over post defenders that didn’t have much of a chance. Did flash some skill including a sick baseline spin and a couple floaters in the lane. Even hit a three. Most impressive play of the night was when he reached over his man that had boxed him out, grabbed the ball, and dunked it right on him. Will need to add significant strength to play at college level, but the raw tools are definitely there. Bol is a top 20 caliber player nationally in 2018. He had 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 blocks.
SF Joseph Pleasant (Team Rush 16U)
Team Rush gave GMC everything they could handle and a major reason why was Pleasant. The 6’6” small forward has a thick body and plays with a never ending motor. He was relentless attacking the hoop. Did have a couple shots swatted by the GMC twin towers, but he adjusted by creating space to get his shot off over them as the game went along. Kept attacking downhill. Hit a couple threes, but the shot was a bit streaky. This Blue Valley Northeast (MO) wing put himself on the D1 radar with a big performance in front of a large number of coaches.
PG Ronald Bell (Team Rush 16U)
The same could be said for Ball. The 6’0” scoring combo guard took was an electric scorer. He is a plus spot up shooter that knocked them down with regularity from deep. Gets elevation off the floor and has a clean stroke. Also used his athleticism to get out in transition for several scores. Ball finished with 19 points.
PF EJ Liddell (St. Louis Eagles 15U)
Liddell will debut as one of the premier post prospects in the state’s 2019 class when the first rankings are unveiled this fall. The 6’7” power forward is part of a balanced Eagles 15U squad where one player doesn’t dominate. There was no questioning he was the best player on the floor. The Belleville West rising sophomore has a great frame that should continue to fill out. Solid athlete. He plays physical down low in the paint. Early in the game he got a couple quick buckets. The first he created deep post position and converted a quick move. The second he attacked from the mid-post area off the bounce showing some handles we hadn’t seen before. He told us this is an area he has been focusing on in his development. Defensively he stood out with his ability to move laterally as well as block shots. He had several blocks including a few on perimeter jumpers that he contested and got his hands on for defensive stops. Liddell is among the top prospects in the 2019 class in Illinois.