Class of 2019 Post Breakdown
Our last positional breakdown for the class of 2019 is the post player group. Now we dive in to the tiers in the power forward and centers groups in the rising junior class.
The power forward group is led by #2 overall prospect EJ Liddell out of Belleville West. Liddell is a 6’7” four man that had a monster close to the season at Belleville West. He put up huge numbers against a pair of the elite 2017 prospects in the playoffs. He is a back to the basket scorer that rebounds in the paint. Can also stretch it out with a mid-range jumper on occasion and is improving his ability to attack off the bounce. High-major player.
Chris Payton leads the mid-major group. The Bloomington power forward has a strong and physical body with uber athleticism. Bouncy athlete around the hoop that gets on the glass. A trio of low-major power forwards to watch are Spencer Boehm (New Trier), Chris White (Marian Catholic), and Keenon Cole (Streamwood). Two potential D2 post players that we are fans of early in the process are Nate Ferguson (Lemont) and Keith Randolph (Belleville West). Ferguson is a skilled forward that boards. Randolph is more of a physical and power post player down low.
The center group is headlined by Normal West center Francis Okoro. The big man is the #1 overall prospect in the class. He is a physical specimen with size, strength, and athleticism. The best rebounder in the state and is a rim runner in transition. Defensive presence blocking and altering shots. High-major player. Ciaran Brayboy out of New Trier is a 6’8” big man that is intriguing to colleges especially at the mid-major level. He is a strong and athletic post that rebounds well and has potential as a rim protector.
Taeyon Neal (Providence St. Mel) and Jermaine Hamlin (Lincoln) are two big boys inside that flash potential, but it isn’t consistent yet. Some D2 prospects to look into early in the process are Pavle Pantovic (DePaul Prep), Aidan Shore (Sterling), and Alex Timmerman (Crystal Lake).