Class of 2018 Small College Posts
We close out our breakdown of the post players in 2018 by looking at the small college posts that could be good finds for D3 and NAIA programs!
Kyle King (St. Charles North)
Overall Rank: #60
Travel Team: Tri City Thunder
King is an uber skilled low-post scorer that knows how to get things done on the block. Excellent footwork and gets consistently deep post position. King passes well out of the post and can connect from mid-range.
Blake Weiss (Mascoutah)
Overall Rank: #72
Travel Team: Jets-Ramey United
The 6’5” power forward is a versatile forward that can play on both the interior and perimeter. He shows good hands catching tough passes inside for finishes. Very mobile four man that runs the floor tremendously well and works well in the pick/roll game. Solid body control at the rim going around guys. Tends to drift to the perimeter where he has pick and pop ability, but is a bit tentative to take it off the bounce
Jack Halverson (Peotone)
Overall Rank: #73
Travel Team: Windy City Magic
Halverson is a 6’7” four man out of Peotone. He is a skilled face up power forward with a long and lanky frame. He handles well for his size as the 2018 forward is more than comfortable attacking from the perimeter after taking posts out of their comfort zones. Finishes extremely well through contact converting and-1s and shielding the ball away from defenders. Makes some tough up and unders. High level D3/NAIA prospect.
Jordan Morris (Proviso East)
Overall Rank: #76
Travel Team: Kessel Heat
Morris is built like a truck with tremendous strength and an NFL defensive lineman’s body. Morris consistently plays with an all-out motor. Goes hard every second he is out on the floor. He is best using is athleticism and toughness in transition finishing above the rim. Also plays strong on the glass. Not an overly skilled prospect he relies on his physical gifts and explosiveness. Did show improvement with his passing this spring with Kessel Heat 17U. High end D3/NAIA.
Jake James (Limestone)
Overall Rank: #81
Travel Team: Illinois Irish
James has legit size and strength to play the center position in college. Broad shouldered post that has a strong base. Area rebounder that positions his body when boxing out. Somewhat mechanical and raw in other areas of his game, but with his size he is definitely one to continue to track.
Isaiah Thompson (Massac County)
Overall Rank: #92
Travel Team: Illinois Bears
Thompson is 6’5” extremely bouncy and active in the paint. Gets on the offensive glass for put backs and finishes. Plays with a high activity level and rebounds well high pointing the ball and snatching it out of the air. Runs the floor great both looking to score and getting back on the defensive end. Strong hands catching passes inside on dump off passes. Shot needs some work and we haven’t seen much skill wise.
Tyler Joest (Breese Central)
Overall Rank: #97
Travel Team: Gateway Illinois
Joest is a 6’8” power forward from Breese Central that has intrigued us throughout his high school career. He has a long and lanky body. Will need to add strength going forward to play at the college level. Solid skill level for the junior. Decent footwork in the post as he can use a spin move and hook shot to score. Can put it on the deck a couple times. Length plays well on the defensive end. Overall seems a lot more coordinated and confident in his game than earlier in his career.
Luke Nauman (St. Ignatius)
Overall Rank: #104
Travel Team: Chicago Lockdown
Nauman is an undersized 6’4” power forward that plays bigger than his height. Strong and physical frame. He is effective on the offensive end getting on the glass for put backs. Quick to the boards for second chance opportunities. Plays with a ton of toughness inside. Not a big time scorer, but he does make an occasional quick move on the block.
Ben Young (West Aurora)
Overall Rank: #120
Travel Team: Tri City Thunder
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. Average post scorer. He is a small college undersized post.