Illinois Holiday Stock Boosters: 2017
What prospects elevated their recruiting stock the most over the past week at the holiday tournaments that we evaluated across the state? College coaches here are your answers! We start with the Class of 2017. SG Jeremy Hunter (Metea…
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Continue ReadingWhat prospects elevated their recruiting stock the most over the past week at the holiday tournaments that we evaluated across the state? College coaches here are your answers! We start with the Class of 2017.
SG Jeremy Hunter (Metea Valley – 2017)
Hunter was on fire in the first half of their game against Sandburg. The Metea Valley 6’3” shooting guard is an angular wing that has a long wingspan. He has the ability to get hot from the perimeter with his shooting and we have never seen him shoot it like this. Hunter was drilling jumpers from all over the floor from both mid-range and three. Gets great elevation off the floor on his shot. Quick second jump to the hoop allows him to be a factor on the offensive glass. Bouncy guard that is a versatile defender. Hunter had 30 points. Should be on the D3/NAIA radar. He is currently ranked #184 in the senior class. Look for that to go up in the next rankings as he should be a heavily recruited small college wing.
PF Malik Binns (Bolingbrook – 2017)
Binns put his stamp on the game with his physicality and relentless motor. The 6’5” undersized four man is a junk yard dog type that will out work his opponent. Early in the game one of his opponents got a little snippy and he took it out on them by being everywhere. He was incredibly powerful finishing through contact in the paint. He powered through opponents every possession. Defensively he was tough in the post not giving up an inch. Binns had 21 points (8-10 FG) and 8 rebounds. Should be a quality D2 target. After a summer away from basketball and playing baseball we weren’t sure what to expect out of Binns. He has proven that his #76 ranking is considerably too low.
SF Jeffery Boyd (Homewood Flossmoor – 2017)
Boyd is a long and rangy wing that is a big time athlete. He 6’3”, but plays bigger than his height with his length and long strides. Good slasher that was slippery through traffic. Also showed some ability as a perimeter shooter drilling a couple jumpers. Like what he brings to the table defensively. Moves well laterally and has active hands. Boyd had 11 points. Quality JUCO candidate. Like the athleticism and defensive ability. Will be moving up in the next update.
SG Lucas Williamson (Whitney Young – 2017)
Williamson is the top uncommitted wing in Illinois and he showed why at Proviso. The smooth and athletic shooting guard had an effortless 19 points. He never forces anything and lets the game come to him. This year he is taking on a much bigger scoring load. The senior wing is a slasher that gets to the hoop where he knows how to use the glass to score. Solid mid-range jump shooter. Versatility is his calling card still. Contributes passing, rebounding, and defending. Mid-major and low-major programs looking for a wing that can contribute across the board this is your guy! We were already high on Williamson as he is the top qualifying wing available in 2017, but his MVP performance at Proviso West even cemented that more.
PG Jack Nolan (Benet – 2017)
Nolan was in video game mode against Bloomington. The point guard drilled jumpers from all over the floor. That is what he does at a high level. Nolan can really shoot the ball from the perimeter particularly off the catch from three. He let it fly all night and they were going in. He even had a four point play to send the game to OT. Mixed in some improved ball handling working particularly well around ball screens. Solid passer in the half court making sound reads and crisp dishes. Nolan had 30 points (7-14 3PT) and 4 dimes. Priority D3/NAIA prospect! With his improved handles and passing his ranking should see a climb from #88.
PG Mark Smith (Edwardsville – 2017)
I have seen Edwardsville 2017 point guard Mark Smith play a ton in his four years of high school and on the grassroots circuit. Friday night in my first time evaluating him as a senior he has completely taken it to another level! The 6’4” point guard has a strong body that projects well to the college level. He shot the ball incredibly well from deep drilling multiple pull up threes from well beyond the three point arc. Also got to the basket at will. In the past it was more overpowering his opponent. He showed against Belleville Althoff that his quickness off the bounce has improved has he had more shiftiness than I had thought before. Finishes at the rim great with body control. Also completely posterized a couple dunks. Smith is a high IQ guard that understands the game. Made great reads passing it especially in the drive and kick. Plus rebounder for his position. The last box to check off is defensive lateral quickness to defend opposing point guards at the high major level. Smith won the MVP of the Collinsville Tournament with a 35 point and 5 assist performance in the championship game over Althoff. Smith is primed to make a jump from #20 into potentially the top 10.
SG Isaiah Walton (Springfield Southeast – 2017)
The 6’3” Walton is a long and thin wing that has shown flashes in the past on the circuit. He did that as well against a more than formidable opponent in East St. Louis. Walton uses his long strides to slash to the basket. Can hit a three on occasion. Average rebounder. Projects as a quality D3/NAIA target that could also be a good JUCO candidate to gain strength and develop his game. The #164 senior played above his ranking at Collinsville.
SG Josh Niego (Brother Rice – 2017)
Niego is a 6’4” shooting guard that does everything with crisp and precise movements. He is a sound perimeter shooter that gets excellent elevation on his shot with picture perfect mechanics. Plus pull up jump shooter that also moves well without the ball to get open. Defensively he is very aware getting in passing lanes and being active with his hands getting deflections. Niego dropped 23 points. Should be a guy looked at by D2 programs.
G Trey Mack (St. Ignatius – 2017)
Mack is a 6’1” lefty point guard with solid strength. As a senior he has taken on the role of go to scorer and leader for St. Ignatius. Mack seems more assertive this year with the ball in his hands. Attacks downhill and has the ability to split defenders in traffic. Jumper can be streaky at times, but he shoots it with good form and they dropped in this one. Moves well without the ball and finishes through contact at the rim. Mack is a vocal defender that makes sure his teammates are in the right positions. He had 17 points. Quality D3/NAIA prospect. His #119 ranking is primed for a nice bump.
SF Parker Bland (Quincy – 2017)
Like what this 6’4” forward brings to the table. He is a lefty with quality strength and a crafty game. Bland is a floor spacer that can knock down mid-range jumpers, but is very good off the catch from three. Plays mostly inside for his high school team where he uses his quickness and strength to finish. Crafty moves with fakes and jabs to keep the defense off balance. Solid footwork in the post. Can also handle it on occasion slashing to the rim. Projects best as a low D2, high D3/NAIA prospect where he can be a combo forward. Currently at #124 expect there to be a big jump there after we saw the versatility that he can bring to the table.