Class of 2019 Outlook
We begin our examination of the 2019 class by taking an overview look at the group as a whole and finding its strengths and weaknesses.
Strengths
Metro East and Central Illinois in Top 10
This class is similar in a lot of respects to the 2017 class with the top three prospects all being from downstate. The top prospect Francis Okoro is from central Illinois at Normal West. The next two in the rankings hail from the metro east in EJ Liddell (Belleville West) and Terrence Hargrove (East St. Louis). There are another pair of top 10 players from downstate with Chris Payton (Bloomington) and Donavan Moore (Hillsboro) both garnering significant D1 attention.
Potential Breakout Wings
There are only a couple truly established wings in the class at this stage, but quite a few that could breakout in July and this upcoming season at the shooting guard and small forward positions. Some of the names that fit the bill include Myles Baker (Whitney Young), Anthony Fairlee (Springfield Southeast), Dajuan Gordon (Curie), Martin Macenis (Stagg), Deng Reng (Wheaton North), Keeshawn Chambers (Solorio), and CJ Benton (De La Salle).
Weaknesses
Chicago Public League Stars
The star power in the state of Illinois traditionally comes from the Chicago Public League. Not in 2019! As of now there are only four prospects in the top 20 overall from the CPS with the top one being Simeon lead guard Kejuan Clements checking in at #7.