Nike Spring Showdown: 2018 Pt 1 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 1 of our evaluations of the 2018 prospects in attendance!
SF Jalen Boyd (Chicago Lockdown 17U)
Jalen is the more athletic of the 2018 twins from St. Joseph’s. He stands at 6’4” with an angular build. Wiry strong, but will definitely need to continue to add strength over the next year before he gets to college. Boyd is an explosive wing that has a quick first step. Best attacking from the high-post area where he can put it on the deck a couple times and get to the rim. Solid slasher that can also dish it off at the last minute if the help defender comes over. Can also hit a mid-range jumper in rhythm. Not quite as effective from three at this stage. Quick second jump allows him to get on the glass. Like what he brings to the table on the defensive end. Active on ball defender that moves his feet, recovers, and contests shots. Projects as a potential low D2 prospect in the right system. Otherwise a coveted D3/NAIA player.
PF Jordan Boyd (Chicago Lockdown 17U)
Jordan is the twin that stands at 6’6” and is more of an interior presence. The aspect that always stands out about Boyd is how well he finishes in the paint. Not the biggest or overly athletic, but he knows how to finish around the hoop. Goes through contact many times converting and-1’s and getting to the line. The crafty four man has a feel around the hoop knowing how to score with his back to the basket with a soft touch. Good hands allow him to get dunks on dump off passes. Underrated outlet passer. Low D2 prospect that would be no brainer at the D3/NAIA level.
PG Carter Higginbottom (Chicago Lockdown 17U)
Higginbottom is a 5’10” point guard out of St. Ignatius High School that plays with a lot of grit and toughness. The junior lead guard continues to show growth on the defensive end of the floor. Moves his feet well staying in front of his man and gets after it. Offensively this is a kid that would rather set others up than score. He projects as a small college prospect.
PF Luke Nauman (Chicago Lockdown 17U)
Nauman is a 6’5” power forward from St. Ignatius. Really rebounds well within his area. Gobbled up rebounds all weekend for Lockdown 17U. Undersized, but fights hard and boxes out his man which allows him to get defensive rebounds. Also a quality help defender. Nauman would be a guy that small colleges should monitor.
PG Zachary Parduhn (Chicago Lockdown 17U)
Parduhn is a new name that came on our radar this past weekend. The 5’10” lead guard from Lincoln Way East likes pushing it in the open floor. Can hit an occasion three. D3/NAIA prospect.
SG Malcolm Bell (Chicago Demons 17U)
Bell is a new name that emerged on our radar. The Leo 6’3” shooting guard has a good build and broad shoulders. Combine that with a dose of athleticism and you have physical tools at the wing spot to work with. The projectable wing is a bit raw, but definitely has some tools that if they can be refined could be a nice find for a small college or JUCO. Bell shoots a bit of a knuckleball from three, but as the game went on they started to go in. Hit multiple off the catch. Best when in rhythm and feet are set. Long strides allow him to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. Can be a bit wild at the rim trying to finish. One to continue to track.
PF Kyle King (Tri City Thunder 17U)
King just produces! The 6’5” power forward from St. Charles North is a 2018 prospect that might not jump out athletically, but he just gets stuff done! King has a strong build, but retains quality mobility. Plays with a high energy motor. Extremely good rebounder in his area. Fights hard on the glass and has strong hands so when it is in his mitts it is over! Offensively he is skilled on the interior making quick and aggressive moves when the ball is in his hands. Soft touch around the hoop. Finishes well through contact. Struggled finishing a bit in the second half. Outstanding passer particularly out of the high post area. King is a priority small college prospect!
SG Eric Peterson (Tri City Thunder 17U)
Peterson is a 6’3” lengthy shooting guard in the 2018 class out of Batavia. High IQ player that understands the game. Peterson shoots it well from three off the catch and can mix in a runner on occasion. Makes sound decisions with the ball as a wing passer. Like what he brings to the table on the defensive end. He knows how to use his length to get in his opponent and has solid foot speed to not let his man get around him. Should be a quality D3/NAIA target!
C Ben Young (Tri City Thunder 17U)
Young is an interesting prospect. Undersized center at 6’4” with a big body. He moves well considering how big he is though. Not much of an athlete especially vertically. Young is a quality area rebounder. Offensively he is best as a pick and pop five man. Most of his points come off his jump shot. Didn’t show much of a post-game. He is a small college undersized post.
PG Zach Robinson (Tri City Thunder 17U)
Robinson is a strong bodied 6’0” point guard. Very stocky upper body. He is more of a combo guard that can play both on and off the ball. Most effective as a spot up catch and shoot guy. Small college prospect.
PG Michael Smith (Illinois T-Wolves 17U)
Smith is a 6’2” point guard out of Joliet West. He had a solid year for his high school team playing in a complimentary role. The junior is best as a spot up shooter. Struggled shooting it when we saw him against Tri City Thunder. Off the bounce he had trouble getting by his defender and finishing in the lane. Active defender that gets into his man. Projects at this current time as a high end D3/NAIA prospect.
SG Charles McKinney (Illinois T-Wolves 17U)
McKinney is a 6’4” rangy two guard who has upside. Long and lanky lefty wing that plays with flare. The shooting guard struggled to score in the game we saw. Jump shot from mid-range was not falling. Got on the offensive glass for his only bucket. One to track more though.
PG DeAndre Heckard (Hoops4Health 17U)
Heckard is one of the more highly coveted recruits playing in this event. At 6’3” he has broad shoulders and an athletic build. He is a smooth operator with the ball in his hands. Hoops4Health blew out both opponents they played that we saw and the first opponent only scored one point in the entire first half. That doesn’t take away from the skill set that Heckard brings to the table. Heckard accelerates with the ball in his hands. Strong and aggressive takes to the hoop. Pushes it in the open floor and is at his best in the transition game. Finishes through contact. Can also be effective in the half court slashing, hitting mid-range jumpers, and continues to improve his ability to run a team in the half court. Heckard is a top 10 player in the state’s 2018 class and a low-major recruit that is starting to get mid-major attention. Expect the Romeoville guard to pick up more attention on the recruiting trail.
SG Eddie Creal (Hoops4Health 17U)
Creal is an electric athlete that when he is free to work in space is a high flyer. The Joliet West two guard has a strong body and big time athleticism. He is explosive attacking the hoop with a monster first step. Easy acceleration and blow by ability off the bounce. Explosive leaper. Got to the rim for several slams. A few he started with his defense getting steals. Did hit one three when we saw him, but his jump shot is very streaky. Potential low-major/D2 prospect.
SG Ryan Saunders (Hoops4Health 17U)
The 6’3” Joliet Central shooting guard is a smooth athlete. Makes plays around the rim slashing including having a couple acrobatic finishes at the cup. Got on the offensive glass for a couple tip ins. The rangy wing’s value might be on the defensive end. Quality wing defender that can guard multiple positions and blocks an occasional shot. High end D3 prospect with lower end of D2 upside.