Show Me Showdown: 2019 Scouting
We evaluated the PrepHoops Show Me Showdown from gavel to gavel in St. Louis over the weekend. Now it is time to breakdown the scouting reports of the Illinois prospects in attendance. Here are our evaluations of the 2019 players that participated.
PG Chris Roberts (Young & Reckless 16U)
Have a weekend Chris Roberts! The Young & Reckless 16U backcourt is good hands with Roberts and his running mate Artese Stapleton. Roberts is a downhill and attacking point guard. Over and over and over again he went right at his man and scored at the rim. Quick first step allows him to get in the lane consistently. That speed translates into the open court as well. He blows past defenders and most of the time is looking to go right to the hoop for a score. Does a nice job of finishing through contact. Next step in development is rounding out game with a jumper and dishing the rock more. Potential LM prospect.
PG Artese Stapleton (Young & Reckless 16U)
This Kenwood 2019 lead guard certainly helped his stock over the weekend. What you have to like about his game is his combination of scoring and dishing. More of a natural passer than his backcourt running mate as he mostly handles the duties on the ball. Electric passer especially when he gets in the lane to find others. High IQ guard that plays fast, but makes quality decisions. Speed in the open floor. Capable shooter that can hit a pull up from mid-range and three. Should be on LM and D2 radar.
PG Justin Warren (Young & Reckless 16U)
Warren is a lead guard that is shifty with the ball in his hands. Not an overly explosive player, but seems to get where he needs on the floor. Gets out in transition where he finishes well at the rim with layups. Also can hit a mid-range jumper. Small college prospect at this stage.
SF CJ Benton (Young & Reckless 16U)
The De La Salle 2019 small forward really impressed with his play in St. Louis. He has great size at around 6’5” with a long and lanky frame. Smooth athlete that runs the floor well and can finish above the rim in transition with monster alley-oop slams. The area he has improved the most is his perimeter shooting. Clean and fluid release from three. Shooting it with a lot of confidence. Can hit them both off the catch and pulling up. Defensively and on the boards has a chance to be a plus for his position especially if he continues to get stronger. Low-majors need to start monitoring.
SG Alex Raiford (Young & Reckless 16U)
Raiford is Benton’s 2019 running mate at De La Salle. He is a wing that is known for his perimeter shooting. He is a bit of a streaky shooter from deep, but did show he can get hot for stretches. Smooth form on shot. Projectable wing that with improvements in other areas could be a scholarship player.
PG Kai Parham (Young & Reckless 16U)
Parham is the son of former Illini assistant coach Paris Parham. This kid can flat out shoot the rock! The Champaign Central point guard spotted up for threes throughout the weekend and let it fly from deep hitting them at a very high rate. Confident player that plays with swagger. Wasn’t able to show much beyond spot up shooting as the lead guard played off the ball most of the weekend.
PG Bryson Bultman (Illinois Bears 16U)
Bultman missed the first game of the day Saturday playing in the baseball state playoffs with Nashville, but the 6’4” 2019 point guard showed up to make a major impact in the night game. First aspect that stands out is size for position. He is a legit 6’4” and a true point guard. He has an outstanding feel for the game. Plus vision in the half court making sound decisions with the ball in his hands. Just an advanced basketball IQ. Ability to hit a three off the catch and is active on the defensive end of the floor. Bultman will be the motor that makes Nashville go the next two years on a young and talented small school squad! Bultman really impressed and projects as a D2 player at this stage.
SF Landon Wolfe (Illinois Bears 16U)
Wolfe is going to put up just crazy numbers his final two years of high school at Effingham with the graduation of his brother and Jacob Donaldson. Wolfe is a strong wing with sneaky athleticism. He is in attack mode all the time. He brings his lunch pail and motor to the court every single game. Crafty finisher in the lane that has the ability to not only draw contact, but a high percentage of the time make the and-1 shot. Shoots a nice runner/floater when the big is coming over and he can’t get all the way to the hoop. Handles it well and pushes it in transition when the ball is in his hands. Solid passer for a wing that can also stretch it out to three at a nice clip. Shots it well from beyond the arc especially on Sunday. D2 prospect that has a chance to be a low-major player with continued development.
PG Wyatt Krohne (Illinois Bears 16U)
Krohne is a 5’8” point guard from Okawville. The lefty guard is a fiery leader! Plays with a lot of competitiveness. Crisp passer that made both the simple passes in half court and a few high risk/high reward passes in transition. Shot it well from three. Small college prospect.
PG Nolan Poettker (Illinois Bears 16U)
Poettker is a tiny lead guard from Breese Mater Dei. He is a crisp passer that flashes leadership tools.
SF Terry Pelczynski (Illinois Bears 16U)
The 6’4” wing is a skilled prospect that has a smooth looking jump shot, but is very streaky shooter. Connected on several threes, but also air balled a few. Sound passer. Small college wing.
PF Tanner Bergman (Illinois Bears 16U)
Bergman is a thick bodied 6’5” center that is a back to the basket player that plays physical. Plays well in the high/low game sealing his man off and finishing at the cup. Flashes skilled post moves. Good footwork out of the post. Not overly athletic. Finishes through contact. Should be a productive small college post scorer that rebounds well within his area.
SF CJ Johnson (Illinois Bears 16U)
Johnson is a prospect that grew on us throughout the weekend. The 6’4” West Frankfort small forward has a nice versatile skill set. Runs the floor, passes it well, and competes on the glass. Finishes well around the hoop. Quietly goes about his business and gets it done. Projects as a quality D3/NAIA kid.
SG Deejay Holmes (Hoops4Health 17U)
Holmes is a shooting guard from Joliet West who plays up on the 17U level with Hoops4Health’s national team. He is a role player for them, but shows his ability in spurts. Holmes is a plus shooter from the perimeter.
PG Quinn Gardner (Hoops4Health 16U)
Gardner is a 6’0” point guard out of Lockport. He is strong with the ball and likes to take it to the basket with strength. Small college prospect.