Nike Spring Showdown: 2018 Pt 2 Scouting
PrepHoopsIllinois spent this past weekend at Nike Spring Showdown in Romeoville. We extensively evaluated prospects in all classes from the state of Illinois. Take a look at our scouting report of the event. This is part 2 of our evaluations of the 2018 prospects in attendance!
SF Zion Griffin (Hoopers Basketball Club 17U)
Griffin was a complete beast when we saw him at Nike Spring Showdown! The 6’5” small forward did whatever he wanted on the floor. He has a physical body and bounce to match! Griffin has improved his handles over the last year. The Hinsdale South forward is best attacking on straight line drives. Glides to the hoop and explodes at the rim! At times he can struggle finishing through contact, but seems to be getting better at that. Jump shot has got better for the forward. He shoots it with a low release point. Best off the catch spotting up when his feet are set. Hit several, but also falls in love with it at times. In the post he seals well. Definitely transitioning his game into more of a small forward however. Snatches rebounds at a high point. Would like to see more volume on the boards. Defensively he is a good weakside shot blocker. Low-major D1 prospect that is inching his way closer to mid-major territory.
SG Colton Sandage (Team Illinois 17U)
Sandage is a 6’3” two guard from Bloomington. He is known as a marksmen from deep. The 2018 prospect is a plus shooter from three off the catch. Quick release and consistent accuracy. Can really fill it up from beyond the arc. There is more to his game than just that! Sandage has gotten better with his ball handling and his athleticism continues to improve. That was shown on a posterizing dunk that had everyone in attendance asking ‘where did that come from?’ Sandage is an underrated passer that makes good reads within the flow of the offense. Capable defender that competes on that end. Put himself on the D2 radar with a strong performance. He had 32 points.
SG Matthew Morgansfield (Hoopers Basketball Club 17U)
Morgansfield emerged on our radar this past weekend. He is a bit of a raw prospect, but has some physical tools to work with. Best at this stage in the transition game. The athlete finishes at the rim. Potential on the defensive end guarding perimeter players. Small college prospect.
PF Jack Halverson (Windy City Magic 17U)
This was our first look at the Peotone 6’7” power forward. More of a face up four man that has quality mobility. Didn’t have a dominant game, but flashed potential. Likes to slash from the high post area and attempts to finish with his off hand. Struggles finishing with lack of strength. Did have a nice and-1 early in the game we caught. Halverson is intriguing at the D3 level with his mobility.
PG Jake Pygon (Windy City Magic 17U)
Pygon is a 5’10” lead guard out of Sandburg. He is definitely a pass first point guard. The Sandburg floor general loves to set others up and make them better. Runs his team in the half court with good instincts. Drive and kick passer to his shooters. Not much of a scorer in the game we saw. D3/NAIA heady point guard.
C Tyler Joest (Gateway Illinois 17U)
Joest has size at 6’8” with long arms. Still pretty thin, but is much more coordinated than he was early in his career. Despite being thin he showed more of a mean streak competing against some more physical and athletic bigs. He didn’t back down. Joest has the ability to knock down pick and pop shots. At times he can over dribble on the perimeter. One to continue to monitor. Most likely a quality small college post.
PG Sammy Green (Gateway Illinois 17U)
Green is a 6’0” point guard from Marquette Catholic. The lead guard is a solid ball handler that is slippery with the rock in his hands. Can dish it with some flare. Where he excels is shooting the ball. He is money off the catch once he gets in a flow. He was definitely in a zone against Hoopers Basketball Club. Green drilled huge threes to try to keep his team in the game. Small college prospect.
SG Jaquan Adams (Gateway Illinois 17U)
Adams is a 6’2” shooting guard that is a power wing. He does almost all of his damage in the paint. The guard slashes to the hoop and is crafty getting in the lane. Not overly explosive, but has a feel for finding open spots where he can get his floater off. This is by far the strength of his game. Not a great jump shooter. Rebounds well for a guard. Adams is worth consideration at the D3/NAIA level for a team in need of a tough power guard.
PG Jack Marinko (Gateway Illinois 17U)
Marinko is a point guard out of Edwardsville that is known as a perimeter shooter. He is best spotting up from beyond the arc and letting it fly from deep! Small college shooting point guard.
PF Jacob Hall (Gateway Illinois 17U)
Hall really competes on the glass. The 6’7” Marquette Catholic power forward has a nice frame with strength. He really rebounds well within his area. Gobbled up rebounds when we saw him play. Boxes out and positions himself to get the ball off the rim. Had a couple put backs. Offensively he lacks much of a scoring feel. Small college area rebounder with some mobility at the next level.
SG Isaiah Bowers (Gateway Illinois 17U)
Bowers is a tough 6’0” wing from Lincoln. His best asset is shooting it from the perimeter off the catch. Plays with a lot of grit. Small college kid.
SG Bryan Johnson (Chicago Raptors 17U)
Johnson is only 6’0”, but the Curie wing does most of his damage inside. Out works his opponents and plays with a major motor. Junk yard dog wing. Gets inside for crafty finishes. Very small college player.