Illinois Shoe Team Weekend Preview
PrepHoopsIllinois Previews the schedules and storylines for the 17U shoe company teams from the state of Illinois during the first live period. It is a big weekend for the teams across the state to prove they can compete on a national level!
Nike
Location: Hampton, VA
Mac Irvin Fire
Schedule
Friday
8:00 PM vs Team Final
Saturday
11:00 AM vs Playground Elite
5:00 PM vs Howard Pulley
Sunday
8:00 AM vs Phoenix Phamily
Outlook:
The Fire will get their star Ayo Dosunmu back after a tune up weekend as he is coming of an injury to close his junior season. PHI top 2018 prospect will have to carry a big load for the Fire. They open up with quite a formidable weekend schedule which includes matchups against the #1 player in America Marvin Bagley and top 5 national prospect Cameron Reddish.
Star Player to Watch:
Ayo Dosunmu from Morgan Park is the premier recruit in the state of Illinois in the 2018 class. He is coming off a huge junior season where he landed high major offers left and right. The point guard is one of the most highly coveted lead guards in the Midwest. He will be heavily tracked by multiple high-majors that he is a priority for. Will any of the blue bloods come calling after a big weekend?
One to Track:
Kezo Brown out of Simeon has had a steady climb back up after a bad sophomore season and summer that followed. Brown is now in the best shape of his career and the lefty two guard who was once considered the best player in 2018 in Illinois is ready to make a statement. He closed out the season strong at Simeon. Now if he wants the high-major offers he covets he will have his chance with college coaches in the stands.
Meanstreets
Saturday
9:30 AM vs All Ohio Red
5:00 PM vs NJ Playaz
Sunday
8:00 AM vs RM5
Outlook:
The biggest aspect when looking at Meanstreets this season is how they will fair against big teams. They are mostly a squad with mid-major and low-major talent at the guard and wing positions. They didn’t answer the bell against Brad Beal Elite at Swish N Dish. This weekend they play a team from the East, South, and Midwest.
Star Player to Watch:
Tim Finke of Champaign Central is the top shooting guard in Illinois and #2 overall prospect. He was getting into the flow of things with his new team when we saw him at Swish N Dish. Now it is time to bring it. The 6’5” two guard has athleticism and the ability to shoot it from three. He played well last year as an underclassmen in a supporting role for the Eagles playing up in the EYBL. He is the best player on Meanstreets. Finke has to go out and show it! He has close to 20 D1 offers at this point. Heavily tracked by many high-majors.
One to Track:
Javon Freeman of Whitney Young had a breakout junior year. The smooth wing was a solid player with upside as a sophomore at Seton, but started to realize some of that potential this year. The nephew of former prep standout Marcus Liberty could eventually take over as the go to scorer for this team especially off the bounce. Right now he is being tracked mostly by low-majors and a few mids. With a big weekend he could become a hot mid-major commodity.
Brad Beal Elite
Friday
8:00 PM vs Mississippi Express
Saturday
9:30 AM vs MoKan
5:00 PM vs Southern Stampede
Sunday
8:00 AM vs Portland Basketball Club
Outlook:
We could not have been more impressed with BBE in their debut at Swish N Dish. Co-Champs and a dominant run for three days. That was without top 5 national 2019 power forward James Wiseman. For BBE they have their second game of the weekend against MoKan circled. It is their rivalry game. They won it last year and both teams are expected to be among the best in the EYBL.
Star Player to Watch:
From an Illinois standpoint the star is Normal West 2019 center Francis Okoro. The physical 6’9” man child is the #1 2019 prospect in Illinois. He is a tenacious rebounder and shot blocking presence. Dunks with force, but the skill set is still pretty raw. High-major prospect that will be interesting to track how he does against fellow elite bigs such as Carte’Are Gordon.
One to Track:
Jericole Hellems from Chaminade in Missouri is a 2018 small forward that is seeing his stock skyrocket because of his play the last six months. Versatile forward that some see as a mismatch four man. He has been extremely productive in high school and early in the spring. Expect more high-majors to jump in on him.
Under Armour
Location: New York
Illinois Wolves
Friday
9:30 PM vs Earl Watson Elite
Saturday
11:40 AM vs Washington Supreme
4:45 PM vs Houston Defenders
Sunday
9:15 AM vs Canada Elite
Outlook:
The Illinois Wolves have a group with a lot of younger guys playing up. They will get their first taste of playing on the 17U level against national competition. Wolves open with a strong competitor in Earl Watson Elite who is annually stacked with quality talented.
Star Player to Watch:
Perry Cowan from DePaul Prep is one of those underclassmen that is playing up on the 17U level. PHI has him as a top 5 player in 2019 with the ability to continue rise. The biggest thing coaches will be looking at with Cowan is consistency game in and game out. He has a silky smooth scoring game and the ability to score at all three levels. Handles have improved and has great form on his jump shot. This will be a great test to see where his game is at.
One to Track:
Drew Peterson out of Libertyville is a player PrepHoopsIllinois has believed for a while is a high-major recruit. He proved that at Swish N Dish earlier in the month knocking down jumpers from all over the floor at 6’7”. The wing is a solid athlete that gets out in transition and plays with a high IQ. Lots of mid-major/low-major offers to go with high-major interest. This could be the weekend the interest turns into offers.
Playground Elite
Friday
8:20 PM vs Atlanta Xpress
Saturday
10:25 AM vs 1 Nation
4:45 PM vs DC Blue Devils
Sunday
1:00 PM vs Team Thad
Outlook:
Playground Elite out of Wisconsin has mostly Illinois prospects on their squad. Their Wisconsin standout is flashy point guard and West Virginia commit Jordan McCabe. This mix of unsigned seniors and under the radar national recruits should be a fun group to follow. Tough opening weekend schedule for them at UAA!
Star Player to Watch:
Cardell McGee out of Springfield Lanphier is a top 10 prospect in the Illinois 2018 rankings. He is a versatile guard that had a strong close to the summer last July. Good, but not great junior campaign for Lanphier. Mid-major programs are looking for him to be more assertive with the ball against high caliber competition. He will have that chance in NYC.
One to Track:
Ryan Davis is an intriguing center from Conant. A lot of college coaches at the low and mid-major levels are intrigued with Davis because of his size as a space eater in the paint along with his ability to shoot it as a pick and pop player. Would like to see him rebound at a higher rate.
Adidas
Location: Dallas
Team Rose
Friday
8:40 PM vs Juice All-Stars
Saturday
10:40 AM vs Atlanta Celtics
4:00 PM vs MBA Hoops
Sunday
12:00 PM vs Team Lillard
Outlook:
Team Rose had their tune up event last weekend where they had a strong showing. This is a guard dominant team with lots of speed and playmaking ability in their backcourt. They will get a test the first weekend with a solid group of four Adidas teams from across the country.
Star Player to Watch:
Kendle Moore from Danville opened many eyes with a great junior campaign. The speedy point guard moved into the top 10 of our rankings with his play. Improved his passing and three point stroke. Has always had the ability to get out and push it in the open floor. Moore will be heavily tracked by low-major and mid-major schools.
One to Track:
Raekwon Drake out of Orr is a power forward that is a big time athlete! Drake is a bit undersized at 6’5”, but with his improved consistency on his mid-range jump shot he is starting to find ways to alleviate some of the concerns about his height. Run/jump athlete in the open floor. Plus rebounder that plays with a lot of energy. Mid-major and low-majors should take a look!