Illinois 2017 Wing Breakdown
One of the biggest strengths of the class of 2017 is without question the wing play at the depth at the shooting guard and small forward positions. Here we look at what those positions bring to the table in this…
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Continue ReadingOne of the biggest strengths of the class of 2017 is without question the wing play at the depth at the shooting guard and small forward positions. Here we look at what those positions bring to the table in this class.
Beginning with the shooting guard position we start with the top wing prospect in the class in Belleville Althoff’s Jordan Goodwin. The physical and relentless wing is one of the most productive players in recent memory and is a coveted high major recruit. He is followed closely by Da’Monte Williams (Peoria Manual) and Elijah Joiner (Curie) who both had success taking their teams to the final four as juniors. There is solid depth at the mid-major and low-major levels when you look at this group with the versatility that Demarius Jacobs (Uplift), Lucas Williamson (Whitney Young), and Jamal Nixon (Fenwick) bring to the table. Carlos Hines (North Lawndale), Dwayne Rose (Crete Monee), Zach Couper (Rockford Boylan), and Brandon Trimble (St. Joe’s Ogden) all have the ability to put points on the board in a hurry.
Some of the D2 prospects in this class that we feel would be great fits at that level are led by Lewis commit Marco Pettinato. After a dominant state title run he backed it up with a strong spring and summer for Young Legends on the travel team circuit. Other D2 options include Chris Harris (Lake Forest Academy), Marvin Nesbitt (Butler Prep), and Noah Frederking (Okawville). Some great shooters at the small college level are Denis Alibegovic (Downers Grove South), Zac Rzewnicki (Ridgewood), Liam Lyman (Benet), Luke Anthony (Wheaton North), and more.
The small forward spot is led by the state’s #2 overall prospect in Stevenson’s Justin Smith. The athletic wing took the jump from prospect to player this past spring/summer with his play for the Mac Irvin Fire establishing himself as a no doubt high-major guy. Two other guys that had big circuits were Javon Pickett (Belleville East) and Nana Akenten (Bolingbrook). Akenten in particular took the NY2LA circuit by storm posting huge games on a consistent basis. The next tier consists of athletic wings with upside at the mid-major and low-major levels in Charles Payton (Olympia), Trevian Bell (Joliet West), Coreyoun Rushin (Westinghouse), and Romon Douglas-Watkins (Peoria Manual). A duo of the state’s premier shooters are right on that LM/D2 boarder in 6’4” metro east sharp shooters Marvin Bateman (Belleville Althoff) and Oliver Stephen (Edwardsville).
A player that is also a potential LM prospect that would be outstanding at the high D2 level is Doug Wallen (Champaign Central). The versatile forward is a complete player that plays with a tremendous motor. Other D2 prospects to watch include Terry Smith (Curie), Max Muller (Porta), Romelo Burrell (Morgan Park), and Jeameril Wilson (Niles Notre Dame). Some of my favorite small college three men are Jose Grubbs (Joliet Central), Justin Fox (Dwight), Parker Bland (Quincy), and Hamza Gocobija (Lincoln Park).