O’Fallon Shootout: 2017 Scouting Part 1
PrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance for all seven games of the Bank of O’Fallon Shootout over the weekend. This event featured some of the premier teams and prospects in the state. It is time for our detailed scouting report on the…
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Continue ReadingPrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance for all seven games of the Bank of O’Fallon Shootout over the weekend. This event featured some of the premier teams and prospects in the state. It is time for our detailed scouting report on the event. Here is part one of our 2017 scouting report!
PG Ryan Fulton (O’Fallon – 2017)
Fulton was the high scorer for O’Fallon in the morning opener. The 5’9” point guard is more of a scorer. He is a plus shooter that hit jumpers off the catch and pulling up off the bounce. Finished with 15 points. Small college prospect.
PF Eric Krus (Vianney, MO – 2017 – Benedictine)
Krus stands at 6’5” with a strong build and quality length. Scores strong on the interior and is efficient with his touches on the block. Good right handed hook shot. Has a feel for creating space and getting it up on the glass. Area rebounder that boxes out. Mobile post that can handle it a bit from mid-range and in. He had 17 points (7-11 FG) and 13 rebounds. He has committed to Benedictine.
PG Dazon Farris (Bloomington – 2017)
Farris is a kid that has been playing well as of late. The long and lanky point guard is smooth with the ball in his hands. He played on the ball most of the game and showed he has solid vision. Made several nice passes including several sweet ones on the interior. As a scorer he was definitely a volume guy on this day. Took a lot of shots to get his points. Does have a fluid jump shot and gets where he wants to get his shot off, but he only shot 3-16 from the field. Getting to the line to make 7-10 made up for it. Active defender that uses his length to get into his man. He had 14 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. High end D3/NAIA prospect.
PF Tee’Aaron Powell (Marian Catholic – 2017 – Michigan Tech)
It was a strong performance from the Michigan Tech 6’7” post. Powell has a good frame with a projectable body. Should continue to add strength once he gets in a college weight program. Powell got three of his four rebounds on the offensive end which he put back for points. He had a dunk on a dump off pass and a sweet right handed jump hook. Powell has been up and down in the games we have seen this year, but this was a solid performance for the D2 post. He had 12 points (6-7 FG).
PG Neshawn Brooks (Peoria Manual – 2017)
Brooks has been the go to guy for Manual most of the year with all of the injuries that they have suffered. He was solid against Whitfield despite the fact that he struggled shooting it from the perimeter. He had a strong finish inside and hit a jumper, but overall wasn’t much of a scoring threat as he was only 2-9 from the field. Brooks didn’t let that affect his passing game. He dished the rock and got others involved. Was extremely effective defensively getting into Whitfield’s guards. Brooks had 6 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 6 steals. JUCO prospect.
SG AJ Youngman (Peoria Manual – 2017 – Eastern Kentucky)
This was our first time seeing the Eastern Kentucky commit after coming back from an injury. Youngman is a 6’4” two guard that isn’t the greatest athlete, but excels shooting the ball from beyond the arc. The senior has sound form on his jump shot with a clean release. He hit 3-8 from deep. Isn’t as efficient once inside the arc. Below average scorer off the bounce and had a few turnovers when putting it on the deck. Was solid rebounding and passing. Defending at the next level will be an issue. He had 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 dimes.
SF Doug Wallen (Champaign Central – 2017)
Ballin Wallen is one of my favorite D2 prospects in this class. At 6’4” he has a ton of versatility and toughness in his game. Opened with a three off the catch and also had a sweet spin move in the post. Finishes well around the hoop and is a plus passer for a wing. Good free throw shooter. He had 17 points in a win over Larkin. Like what he will do at the next level as a high D2 glue guy.
SF Javon Pickett (Belleville East – 2017 – Illinois)
The Illini commit has been outstanding in every game we have seen him play this season. He was great again at the O’Fallon Shootout in his head to head matchup with fellow Big 10 wing commit Nana Akenten. He was in attack mode looking to get buckets. Pickett knew that he had to bring everything he had to take down the top team in the state. The Illini commit loves to attack the rim using his euro step in the lane. Bolingbrook was aware of this and took it away. He eventually started just taking it at the rim without finesse and scoring or getting to the line on several and-1s. Hit a pair of threes including a sick step back on Akenten. Pickett has proven he is an elite scorer that is very underrated nationally. Also was impressed with how he passed the rock. Made consistently sound decisions with a 7/0 assist/turnover ratio in the game. He had 30 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 dimes. This is the prospect in the Illini class nobody is talking about, but long term could be the best.
PG Rico Sylvester (Belleville East – 2017)
Sylvester played well against a youthful and talented Bolingbrook backcourt. As a senior he has become much more consistent with his three point shot. Release point and mechanics are sound and he gets it off quick especially off the catch. He drilled 4-6 from beyond the arc. Also hit the glass. Only negative from this game was he didn’t have a single assist. He should be a prospect looked at by D3/NAIA/JUCO programs.