Illinois 2018 Top Post Prospects
Who are the best post prospects in the class of 2018 and where do they project at toward the college level? We break that down for you here! PF Messiah Jones (Simeon) Jones is a 6’5” undersized four man…
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Continue ReadingWho are the best post prospects in the class of 2018 and where do they project at toward the college level? We break that down for you here!
PF Messiah Jones (Simeon)
Jones is a 6’5” undersized four man that was a beast on the glass. He is one of the top post players in his class because of his athleticism and ability to board. Phenomenal second jump to the offensive glass. Jones finishes tremendously well in the paint mostly on put backs and finishing up loose balls around the hoop. Love his tenacity and work ethic. Extremely efficient player. Also a rim protecting presence. Mid-major prospect.
PF Tyree and Treavon Martin (Curie)
The Martin brothers are similar prospects that project toward the mid-major/low-major level. Long and lanky 6’8” posts that are active rebounders. Protect the rim on the defensive end of the floor both guarding straight up and coming from the weakside for a block. Offensively they flash skill even hitting mid-range jumpers on occasion, but the offensive game is not all the way there quite yet. Both have upside. Mid-major/low-major prospects.
C Jalen Shaw (Larkin)
He has always had the “prospect but not player” label. Meaning that he looks the part, flashes potential, but has never put it all together. We saw him put it all together in the first half of the season. Shaw who in the past was seen as a bit mechanical in the post showed a fluid hook shots and counter moves. His high release point on his hook was unguardable. Sealed well when working on the block. Defensively his length was a factor altering shots. Mid-major/low-major player.
PF Tamell Pearson (Morgan Park)
Pearson has a raw offensive game, but his combination of size, length, and athleticism makes him intriguing. Great build with strength at 6’8”. Gets on the offensive glass and is a presence defensively blocking shots. Most of his points offensively come off put backs, garbage points, or on dunks in transition.
PF Raekwon Drake (Orr)
Drake is a 6’5” undersized power forward that uses his athleticism and motor to dominate on the high school level. He is usually a superior athlete to everyone else on the floor. He gets buckets on and-1s, put backs, and a quick baseline spins. Would like to see more perimeter skill development out of the talented prospect. Low-major kid.
PF Zion Griffin (Hinsdale South)
Griffin is a new name to our radar and wow was he impressive at the Tosh Classic. He stands at 6’5” with a broad frame that he should be able to add strength onto. The lefty works best of out of the high and mid-post area. Griffin has the ability to face up and take his man off the bounce with an explosive first step. Potential on shot as he shoots a good ball, but it is inconsistent falling. Griffin flashes skill in the post with a turnaround fadeaway and quick moves inside. Needs to continue to add strength so he can finish better through contact. Struggles shooting free throws. Quick second jump to the offensive glass where he gets put backs. Shot blocking presence coming from the weakside. He should be on the low-major radar in 2018.
PF Caleb Strohmeier (Edwardsville)
The junior stands at 6’7” with a versatile inside/outside game. Good using fakes facing up and keeping the defense off balance when handling the ball. Moves well away from the ball to get open. Displays toughness defending on the interior. Needs to be on the low-major D1 radar.
PF Barlow Alleruzzo (Sandburg)
Alleruzzo stands at 6’8” with a long and projectable frame. Right now he plays mostly on the perimeter as a face up four. Can hit a three pulling up and in the pick and pop with a clean looking stroke. Runs the floor great for his size. Would like to see him be stronger around the hoop, but there is a ton to like here. Potential low-major prospect.
C Ben Wolf (Naperville Central)
Wolf has size at 6’9” 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 July. It shows too in his explosiveness! He is 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. Low-major prospect with the chance to elevate to mid-major.