District 16 JUCO Scouting Report: Freshman
PrepHoopsIllinois attended the District 16 JUCO D1 Quarterfinals this past week. We were able to see a ton of college prospects with ability to play at the D1, D2, D3, and NAIA levels. Here we breakdown in depth numerous prospects we saw. This edition we will look at the freshman from the event.
PG Isaiah Tisdale (Vincennes – Freshman)
Tisdale plays well in the backcourt next to their star Chris Darrington. The 6’1” point guard is a lefty guard that powers his way into the lane for scores. Plays under control and with good pace. Likes getting in the lane where he shoots runners and mid-range jump shots. Loves the pull up game. He had 22 points. Projects as a LM/D2+ prospect.
PG Josh Robinson (Lake Land – Freshman)
Robinson was one of the more underrated prospects in the state of Illinois’ 2016 class. We were always fans of what this lefty power guard brought to the table, but he even exceeded our expectations as he almost single handily took down top seeded Vincennes. The 6’2” power guard from Normal put his team on his back and carried them for portions. He got to the rack over and over and over again. Handles it well in traffic slashing in the half court with the ability to change direction and angles on his way to the rim. Won off the bounce all game long and finished through contact in the paint for multiple and-1’s. Also got to the free throw line. Made several nice dishes when drawing defenders. The jumper will need to improve its consistency and his overall floor game will need to show continued growth over the next year, but he looked the part of a LM+/MM- prospect going for 30 points and 4 dimes.
SG Nnamdi Van Dulm (Lake Land – Freshman)
The 6’4” shooting guard has a scoring mentality. He is slippery through traffic with the ball and isn’t afraid to take it to the rim through tight spaces. Hit a pull up three, but most of his points were scored off the bounce. He had 12 points. D2/D3 potential a year from now.
PG Kewuan Smith (Kaskaskia – Freshman)
Smith is a 5’8” spark plug that comes off the bench for KC. He was their leading scorer during the regular season. The lefty is a quick and shifty guard that handles it well weaving in and out of defenders. He is a bit turnover prone and wild at times with the ball. He had 10 points. Small college prospect.
C Steven Cotton (Kaskaskia – Freshman)
At 6’6” Cotton is a big bodied post at 235 pounds. He actually moves fairly well for his size. Can defend in a ball screen and is a sound area rebounder. As an offensive player he eats up space on the interior and gets on the glass for scores. Also can hit a pick and pop three on occasion. A little too perimeter oriented on the offensive end. D2 potential a year from now.
C Darrell Bowman (Shawnee – Freshman)
Bowman is another big boy at 6’8” 274 pounds. Bowman opened up with a catch and shoot three from the top of the key. He got a couple buckets inside and battled for position. Solid free throw shooter. He had 9 points. One to track next season.
PF Jaalam Hill (SWIC – Freshman)
We had heard a lot about this 6’6” freshman as he was the most hyped freshman in the league this season. He certainly lived up to it. Hill has good length and a solid build. He hit a face up 15 foot jumper, but his range doesn’t extend much beyond that as he bricked the other attempts from deep. The damage he did from 15 feet and in was very impressive however. One underrated area that we really liked was his passing. Plus post to post passer. Found cutters and when the double team came he made the right decisions. Rebounded at a high rate throughout the night on both ends of the floor. Won 50/50 balls and snatched them at their high point in contested situations. Got on the offensive glass for multiple put backs and and-1’s. When he got the ball on the block he made quick and aggressive post moves including his go to right handed hook shot. Also can face up his man and make a quick move with a dribble or two attacking from the mid-post. He had 23 points. Hill will probably be a high-major prospect next season.
PF Luke Davis (SWIC – Freshman)
Davis is a 6’6” 240 pound post that is from Dekalb High School. He was a productive low post presence as a senior. He continues to produce at the JUCO level. Davis was excellent on the glass particularly on the offensive end where he had several put backs. Finished through traffic. Flashes post skill with a spin move every now and then and can hit a 15 foot jumper on occasion. Just an average athlete. He had 12 points and 8 boards. Should be considered by D2 programs a year from now.
SF TJ Parham (Wabash Valley – Freshman)
Parham is one of Wabash Valley’s leading scorers. He came off the bench in this one. At 6’6” Parham can really let it fly from the perimeter. Spotted up on several occasions from the corners where he drilled threes. Lots of arc on his shot. Had a runner and mixed in a couple rebounds. Potential defensively if he wants to lock in. He had 15 points. He has LM ability.
G Erikas Jakstys (Olney Central – Freshman)
This freshman had to step in and take on a bigger role as OCC was without their star point guard. Jakstys played both on and off the ball throughout the game. The combo guard didn’t have his jumper falling early. Made a few nice passes and as the game went on his jumper from three started to fall. He had 13 points.