Run N Slam: 2019 Scouting Pt 2
PrepHoopsIllinois spent the weekend in Ft. Wayne at the Run N Slam. This prestigious event is one of the annual must stops on the spring evaluation tour. Here is part two of our 2019 Scouting Report!
PG Joseph Yesufu (Meansteets)
Yesufu closed out Saturday night by putting on a show for Meanstreets. He was electric with the ball in his hands particularly in the second half. The Bolingbrook lead guard started on a team that went to state and the top 10 2019 prospect continues to get better each time we see him. Yesufu has outstanding speed in the open floor blowing by defenders. He takes and makes tough shots at the rim. One of the best layup makers in the 2019 class in Illinois. He had two huge dunks including one that had the gym buzzing at nearly 11 PM. Yesufu is a good passer that turns it over a bit, but makes way more plays to the positive. Should be considered by mid-major programs.
SG Michael Salter (Meanstreets)
Salter is a 6’4” guard with a smooth game and feel for playing in the backcourt. Two best assets are his shooting and passing for an off guard. The jump shot was definitely on point early in their Saturday night contest. Hit a couple of feathery jumpers from mid-range including a sweet step back. Salter showed good defensive mobility guarding well. It was kind of a scary scene in the second half for the Romeoville guard as he kept grabbing his chest. Eventually he would be taken to the hospital and released the next morning. Best wishes to Salter. He is projecting as a D1 prospect.
PG Malik Tidwell (Meanstreets)
Tidwell is a 5’9” point guard out of Marian Catholic that flashed his ability during the high school season and has continued to improve. He is a strong and compact guard that has a thick upper body. Plays physical with power drives connecting on runners in the lane. Isn’t the most quick twitched guy, but he is crafty getting in the paint. Usually a pretty effective shooter wasn’t connecting much in this game. Tidwell will be a nice small college player.
SF Keeshawn Chambers (Meanstreets)
The Solorio 6’6” small forward is about elite of an athlete as you are going to find in the state. He is uber bouncy around the rim and quick to the glass for rebounds. Explosive leaper off the floor allows him to high point rebounds over bigger opponents. Rebounds well in traffic. Offensively he is still fairly raw with most of his scoring on put backs and in transition. Defensively is a quality weakside shot blocker and can defend on the perimeter. Lots of variables remain, but low-majors should begin to track him.
PF Chris White (Meanstreets)
White is one of our favorite under the radar players in this class. At 6’6” he is a bouncy forward that has a lot of potential. The plus athlete showed well as a rebounder especially in traffic when we saw him in Ft. Wayne. Didn’t score much. Low-major prospect.
SG Perry Cowan (Illinois Wolves)
Cowan is one of the top prospects in the state’s 2019 class. He is has good size and a wiry build for the two guard spot. One area of progression I have liked in his game is more of a willingness to post up small defenders. Did that a couple times converting with a hook shot. Worked well in the pick and roll as a finisher and had a few nice takes. Overall it wasn’t the dominant effort we were expecting out of him playing back down at his 16U level. Tons of upside, but would like to see more consistent dominance out of the uber talented wing prospect. High-major kid.
PF Tom Welch (Illinois Wolves)
Welch stands at 6’6” with good length and a thick lower half. He is stronger than we initially thought in earlier evaluations. Like the mobility that he brings to the table in the post. Skill potential on the block with post moves. Also can attack from the mid-post with a couple dribbles getting to the hoop with his right hand. Quick to the glass. Low-major prospect.
PF Pavle Pantovic (Illinois Wolves)
It was productive weekend for the 6’6” DePaul Prep sophomore post. He fought hard throughout the weekend in the paint against bigger and sometimes more athletic posts. His grit and tenacity shined through. Also flashed several nice moves in the paint with his quickness and a sweet hook shot. D2 prospect at this stage.
PG Eric Cannon (Illinois Wolves)
Cannon is a 6’1” point guard from Waubonsie Valley that just gets how to play the game. He isn’t the most physically gifted or athletic guard, but knows how to get stuff done. Runs a team working well in the pick and roll. Crisp passes. Gets in passing lanes on defense turning steals into points. Pressures the ball. Rebounds well for his size and can push it end to end. D2 prospect with low-major upside.