Class of 2018 Wing Breakdown
We got the point guards down and now it is time to turn our focus to the wings. Here is our breakdown of the shooting guards and small forwards in the class of 2018 in the state of Illinois.
The lead dog at the two guard position is Champaign Central’s Tim Finke. Coming off a very productive high school season he had an outstanding spring with Meanstreets helping lead them to a Peach Jam appearance. Finke is a plus shooter with size that can let it fly. Moves well off the ball and is a plus athlete in transition. He is the lone for sure high-major prospect in the shooting guard group.
Finke is followed by a pair of CPS rivals in Javon Freeman (Whitney Young) and Kezo Brown (Simeon). Freeman is one of the top stock risers in the state after helping lead his team to a state title followed by a solid spring in the EYBL. With Brown he is a bit of a roller coaster. Coming off a great junior season where he played the best basketball of his career he has been off the radar all spring for some reason. A pair of southern Illinois guards Malachi Smith (Belleville West) and Darius Beane (Carbondale) are rangy wings that can shoot it from mid-range. Other D1 two guards to track include Zion Young (Simeon), Cardell McGee (Springfield Lanphier), Quinlan Bennett (Proviso East), Justin Boyd (Whitney Young), and RJ McGee (Kenwood).
Nice group of quality D2 shooting guard prospects. Eddie Creal (Joliet West) and Isaiah Saulsberry (Harrisburg) are two right at the top. Both are athletic wings with strength that can really shoot it. Anthony Lynch (Larkin), Colton Sandage (Bloomington), and Kenny Strawbridge (Rockford Lutheran) are three more quality D2 shooting guards.
The small forwards have a nice duo at the top. Simeon’s Talen Horton-Tucker is a versatile and tough wing that handles it and is a playmaker with the ball in his hands. The other high-major prospect in the group is Libertyville 6’7” small forward Drew Peterson. Big time size and shooting ability out of this forward!
A pair of small forwards that headline the mid-major group are Zion Griffin (Hinsdale South) and Raekwon Drake (Orr) who both exploded with huge springs. Each are freak athletes that have made the transition from power forward to more of wings with improved handles and making strides on their jump shots. Some low-majors to track in July are Justin Hardy (St. Charles East), Kani Acree (Carbondale), Devonire Glass (Simeon), and Sam Shafer (Lincoln Way East).
What D2 players are there at small forward? A lot of names here including skilled forwards Ethan Schuemer (Willowbrook) and Caleb Strohmeier (Edwardsville) who are undersized four men transitioning to the three spot. Dannie Smith (Orr) and Jalen Boyd (St. Joseph’s) are slashing athletic wings. Couple upside wings that need to play with more consistency are Naseer Turner (Kenwood) and Dontia Johnson (Romeoville). Also big fan of what Jake Wolfe (Aurora Christian) brings to the table with his toughness and shooting.