Nike Spring Showdown: Friday Standouts
PrepHoopsIllinois was in the house on Friday night at the Nike Spring Showdown in Romeoville. See who stood out including a top 5 2019 prospect, several under the radar 2019’s, and some small college gems in the 2018 class.
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. He had 8 points.
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. Boyd finished with 11 points.
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. Bell notched 14 points.
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. King is a priority small college prospect! The 2018 scored 11 points.
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! Peterson scored 8 points.
SF Deng Reng (ET21 Buckeyes 16U)
Reng stands at 6’6” out of Wheaton North. The forward has a lot of intriguing qualities in his game. The first is his size, length, and athleticism for the wing position. Definitely will need to add strength going forward, but the 2019 prospect has time for that. At times he struggles finishing at the rim through contact because of his lack of strength. On the plus side he can handle it for a wing being able to put it on the deck a few times slashing from the wing. Flashes a feathery jump shot that he can stretch out to three on occasion. Quality free throw shooter. Defensively has the ability to defend multiple positions and moves well laterally. Areas to work on are strength and consistent aggressiveness. He is going to be a scholarship player. Development over next two years will determine if that is D1 or D2. Went for 13 points.
SF Martin Macenis (ET21 Buckeyes 16U)
Macenis is a 6’5” small forward from Stagg that we have seen flash major abilities over the last year. He has quality size and fluidity for the three man position. Slick handles and long strides allow him to get to the hoop with ease. Has a bit of a European game in the way he attacks and finishes in the paint. Likes to use running floaters. Solid shooter from both mid-range and can convert from three on occasion. Long release that he flicks back over his head. Can use his jumper out of the post as he creates space on a step back. Potential low-major prospect in 2019. He had 13 points.
SF Terrence Hargrove (Illinois Hoopville 16U)
Hargrove is the best prospect at this event and it isn’t really close. The top 5 2019 prospect had a breakout sophomore campaign at East St. Louis and is looking to continue that for Illinois Hoopville. He has been working hard to develop his perimeter skill set. It was apparent from the early going that his perimeter jumper wasn’t going to be falling in this game consistently. He did hit one in the first half. Hargrove decided he wasn’t going to force it rather playing to his strengths. That is using his athleticism to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Defensively he was a beast! Dominated inside when they played zone and in man he locked down on the perimeter and contested every jump shot his man took. Hargrove swatted a few jumpers along with more in the paint. Has the chance to be a big time defender if he wants to consistently lock in on that end. Offensively he had multiple high flying dunks. One he grabbed a defensive rebound and took it coast to coast for a monster two handed slam. Got on the offensive glass for a put back, but wasn’t as dominant on the glass as he usually is with his elite second jump. Also flashed a sweet right handed jump hook. Hargrove finished with 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 blocks. High-major prospect.