Illinois Overall Prospect Rankings: #11-#15
In September we released our rankings for the classes of 2017, 2018, and 2019. What if you put all of those classes combined and did an overall ranking? This is what they would look like! Today we unveil prospects #11-#15!…
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Continue ReadingIn September we released our rankings for the classes of 2017, 2018, and 2019. What if you put all of those classes combined and did an overall ranking? This is what they would look like!
Today we unveil prospects #11-#15!
#11 SG Perry Cowan (DePaul Prep – 2019)
Last Year’s Rank: NR
Cowan is among the top prospects in the state’s 2019 class. He is played up on the 16U level for the Wolves and was one of their go to players. Cowan has a silky smooth offensive game that is highlighted by his ability to shoot it from the mid-range. That is without a doubt his strength as he can knock those down for days. Handles it well getting to his spots and can take them all the way to the rim on occasion. Cowan is a high-major 2019 recruit.
#12 PF EJ Liddell (Belleville West – 2019)
Last Year’s Rank: NR
Liddell debuts as one of the premier post prospects in the state’s 2019 class. The 6’7” power forward was 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 when we saw him this spring/summer. 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. Creates deep post position and scores with quick moves in the paint. Also flashes some handles attacking from the mid-post area. Defensively he stands out with his ability to move laterally as well as block shots.
#13 PF Christian Negron (Larkin – 2017)
Last Year’s Rank: #4
Negron is a 6’6” slightly undersized four man that utilizes his bounciness and motor on the interior to make up for his lack of ideal height. He is quick on the interior with his moves and has the ability to face up where he can hit a mid-range jumper or take his man off the bounce a couple dribbles. Solid offensive rebounder with a quick second jump and uses his length both laterally and vertically to be effective on the defensive end of the floor.
#14 SF Nana Akenten (Bolingbrook – 2017)
Last Year’s Rank: #25
Akenten is a strong and physical wing with freakish athleticism. He has steadily climbed up the boards over the last two years and heading into his senior year is without a doubt one of the best in the state at his position. Akenten takes and makes tough jumpers from both mid-range and three as he is equally effective pulling up off the bounce or hitting them spotting up for three. Uses his athleticism on both ends of the floor. Offensively finishes above the rim catching lobs in the half court or taking it at the defense in transition. Defensively he has a chance to be a monster with his lateral quickness and speed. Rebounds well for his position.
#15 SG Elijah Joiner (Curie – 2017)
Last Year’s Rank: #34
Joiner is a perimeter scoring guard that has developed some combo guard skills over the last year. He was a major part of Curie’s state championship team last season and came back with another big campaign for Team Rose on the Adidas circuit. Joiner is a plus shooter that can hit mid-range jumpers and threes for days. As we said the development of his ball handling has taken his game to new heights.