NY2LA Futures Camp: 2018 Scouting Part 1
PrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance on Saturday at the NY2LA Futures Camp which had many talented prospects from across the Midwest and Illinois in the classes of 2018, 2019, and 2020. Here we breakdown the prospects that shined in this detail…
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Continue ReadingPrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance on Saturday at the NY2LA Futures Camp which had many talented prospects from across the Midwest and Illinois in the classes of 2018, 2019, and 2020. Here we breakdown the prospects that shined in this detail extensive scouting report. In this report we evaluate part one of the 2018 prospects in attendance.
SG Carlos Curtis (Milwaukee Riverside, WI – 2018)
This 6’3” shooting guard from Wisconsin set the tone all day long. He is a power guard that plays with a never ending motor. He was diving for loose balls and locking up on defense consistently. Two rare things in a camp setting. Tremendous motor out of this kid. He is a plus rebounder for his position. Offensively he is best attacking off the bounce and using his strength to bully his way into the paint. Potential mid-major prospect.
PG Courtney Ramey (Webster Groves, MO – 2018)
The St. Louis native came into the camp as the top prospect and left with that same distinction. The 6’3” long and rangy point guard is electric with the rock in his hands. He is at his best in the open floor using his speed and playmaking ability. Ramey has the speed to push it in the transition game where he will run it right at the defense and can score in that way. Also has the vision to throw dimes in the full court. In the half court he gets to the hoop with ease. Such an explosive first step that allows him to get past his defender. Really tough one on one cover. Rebounds well for a lead guard being able to take it off the defensive glass and go the other way. Moves well laterally on the defensive end of the floor. High-major top 20 national type talent.
SF Kevin Zhang (La Lumiere, IN – 2018)
The 6’9” combo forward is a versatile, skilled, and athletic prospect. When you talk about his versatility he has the ability to play both on the interior using his quickness and bounce to finish around the hoop. Stretches the defense with his three point shot which has great form. Very skilled handling the ball in the open floor. Plays with a high IQ. Super athletic as he had several monster jams and blocks. High-major to mid-major plus prospect.
SG Xavier Pinson (St. Patrick’s – 2018)
Pinson played the best we have seen him on Saturday. The 6’2” guard has a long and thin frame. He is very smooth with the ball in his hands both operating in the half court and transition. Weaves in and out of the defense in the open floor. Also has his head up looking to make plays for others as he is a solid passer that dishes it with some flare. Perimeter stroke looks good as he can hit from mid-range pulling up and is a capable three point shooter off the catch. Also flashes some defensive potential with his length and knack for getting in passing lanes.
C Ben Wolf (Naperville Central – 2018)
The 6’9” center from Naperville Central was outstanding on Saturday. Wolf has size and strength that are hard to find in the class of 2018 across the state. Broad shoulders and is country strong. He has lost some of the baby fat and toned up since we saw him in July. It showed it too in his explosiveness! He was hammering everything home with powerful jams. We knew that Wolf had the skill on the low block with solid footwork. With his added explosiveness that brings a new component to his game. Solid area rebounder that high points boards. Wolf is a quality shot blocker that had several emphatic swats. Wolf helped his stock quite a bit on Saturday and should see a rise up the center board in 2018. Potential mid-major prospect that low-majors should be investing time on now.
PF Skylar Kooyena (Warren – 2018)
Kooyenga continues to improve every time we see him. He was a standout at the PrepHoops Top 250 Camp last month and he did it again at the NY2LA Futures Camp. The Warren power forward stands at 6’9” with long arms and a projectable frame. He has skilled footwork around the hoop and uses his length to get his jump hook off at its highest point. Solid passing big and can hit the offensive glass. Moves a little awkward at times as it seems he is still growing into his body. This is a prospect that is going to fly up the board in the next rankings.
PF Orlando Allen (Thornton – 2018)
The 6’7” Thornton power forward is a super bouncy four man that is quick around the hoop. Excels using his athleticism and just playing the game. He has a knack for being in the right spot at the right time. His second jump to the offensive glass is explosive! Gets a lot of put back points because of that. Flashes a quick spin in the post from time to time. Like his potential from mid-range as he shoots a good shot mechanically. It just wasn’t falling. Moves well laterally on D. Junk yard dog that plays with a motor. Low-major prospect with mid-major upside.
SF Tyler Herro (Whitnall HS, WI – 2018)
Herro was one of the highest rated prospects in the gym. The 6’5” shooting guard is an effortless player that just makes it look easy. Projectable body and frame. He can really shoot it from beyond the three point arc. Picture perfect three point stroke. Not just a shooter Herro has the athleticism to make plays in the lane and open floor. He has already committed to Wisconsin. Outstanding get for the Badgers.
PG Jalen Hodge (O’Fallon – 2018)
Hodge continues to prove time after time he is a legit prospect that gets better each time we see him play. The lefty 6’0” lead guard is a sound perimeter shooter that can hit a spot up three. He pushes it in transition and is slippery with it in traffic. D2 prospect right now with arrow going up.
SF Seth Kizer (Limestone – 2018)
Kizer is a 6’7” combo forward that has shot up height wise over the last year. He can still do what he has for years which is shoot that thing from the perimeter. Kizer has a pure stroke out to the three point line. Would like to see more out of him beyond shooting.
PG JJ Flores (Harvest Chrstian – 2018)
Flores is an athletic combo guard that plays with burst and flare. He is always looking to make the exciting play. Sometimes that can be to a disadvantage. The aspect that stood out most at this particular event was how well the 6’3” guard rebounded for his position. He got on the glass at a high clip especially flying in from the outside on the offensive glass for second chance opportunities. Got in the lane off the bounce where he finished a couple acrobatic layups and also passed it solid. D2 prospect with the chance to elevate over the next year.
SG Devynn Wakefield (United Township – 2018)
Wakefield is a skilled and smooth wing that ran with Quad City Elite on the grassroots circuit. Makes it look easy out there. Wakefield can really score with his perimeter jumper which has a lot of arc. Most effective spotting up. Improving his ability slashing to the hoop in the half court. Gets to the line at a very high rate. His best basketball is still in front of him. Low-major/D2 prospect.