Show Me Showdown: 2020 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 2020 players that participated.
PF Seryee Lewis (Young & Reckless 15U)
Lewis is a 6’7” power forward from Kenwood who is an uber athletic post player. He is a run/jump athlete that is extremely fluid running the floor. Super bouncy four man that can finish above the rim with explosive dunks. Makes quick moves on the interior for scores. Isn’t an overly skilled back to the basket scorer at this stage, but shows potential in that area. He is best scoring on the block right now sealing off his man in the high/low. Excellent mid-range jump shooter that is consistently accurate from 15-18 feet. Shoots it quick and with confidence. Solid rebounder, but could show more toughness against physical post players fighting for balls. Defensively has potential as a shot blocker. Lot of upside here. How consistently his motor runs will have a lot to do with how good Lewis becomes. Has D1 ability for sure.
PG Reggie Strong (Young & Reckless 15U)
Strong is a 6’1” point guard out of Farragut that had a solid freshman campaign. This was our first chance to extensively evaluate him against peers his own age and man was he impressive. Broad shoulders, with long arms, and a projectable frame to where the 2020 prospect should continue to grow several more inches before he leaves high school. The lead guard is explosive and crisp with the ball in his hands. Plus ball handler that has the ability to get where he needs to on the floor to get the job done. Crosses his man over and can either get to the bucket or pull up for a slick mid-range jumper. Fluid form and clean mechanics on jumper. Projects to be able to shoot it well from three long term. Speed in the open floor and active on ball defender. More of a scoring point guard at this stage, but does flash passing ability. Could be one of the better 2020 lead guards in Illinois.
SG Johnny Close (Young & Reckless 15U)
The Rockford Boylan 6’0” shooting guard has good length and is an active defender that plays hard on that end of the floor. Solid athlete that can finished up and unders and displays a sound passing game especially in transition. Chance to be a plus spot up shooter.
SF Jadon Williams (Young & Reckless 15U)
Williams is an undersized 6’3” small forward out of Leo that has a strong body. The bulky wing is best attacking the basket in transition and the half court. Physically more mature than a lot of his peers at this stage he can bully his way to the hoop. Will need to continue to develop his skill over the next few years.
SG Ja’Quan Davis (Young & Reckless 15U)
Davis is a FREAK SHOW ATHLETE! The 6’0” Bogan shooting guard might have had some of the best dunks of the weekend. He got out in transition for several spectacular slams. He is a raw athlete that doesn’t have much skill at this stage, but can really slice and dice the defense for scores above the rim. Long term upside will depend on if he grows and how his skill set rounds out.
PF Kendale Anderson (Young & Reckless 15U)
Anderson is an undersized 6’5” power forward that is a junk yard dog four man. Really strong in his upper body and plays with a high motor! Plus rebounder in his area that snatches them with his strong hands. Good athlete in short spaces. Probably not going to grow much more based on his build. Not much of a scorer at this stage.
SG Keshawn Williams (Young & Reckless 15U)
Williams is a player that at 6’1” has some projectability to his game. The Bloom guard is a smooth athlete that is an excellent shooter. Pulls up on the dime from mid-range and can connect from three off the catch. Plays under control and surprises you with his explosion. Active defender. Should grow a few more inches.
SG Kevin Drumgole (Young & Reckless 15U)
Drumgole stands at 6’2” out of Leo. The strong and stocky shooting guard is a physical wing that attacks downhill. Also gets on the glass for put back opportunities.
PG Azavier Williams (Young & Reckless 15U)
Williams goes to Bogan. The 5’11” point guard is a lefty floor general that is quick and shifty with the rock in his hands. Slick guard that is effective pushing it in the open floor and attacking downhill. Scoring point guard.
PF Dominic Franklin (Young & Reckless 15U)
Franklin came on our radar at one of our PrepHoops camps back in the spring after he just moved here from Atlanta. The 6’6” 2020 power forward is set to attend Urban Prep Englewood next season. He has a ton of potential! He has a lot of physical tools to work with as he is super long and moves very well for his size. Almost runs the floor like a guard. So fluid and easy going up and down the floor. Excels in transition getting passes by running the court for finishes. Active big man that gets on the glass and snatches them with strong hands. His post moves are a little raw at this stage, but has the ability to grow in that area. Liked his mid-range game a lot. Hit multiple 15 foot jumpers and looked comfortable putting it on the deck a couple dribbles. D1 prospect.
PG Dakoda Joachim (Young & Reckless 15U)
Joachim is a 5’8” heady floor general out of Joliet Central. What he lacks in height he makes up for in intangibles and leadership. He is a pass first point guard that makes sound decisions with the ball in his hands. Pesky defender.
PG Alex Wood (Young & Reckless 15U)
Wood is a lead guard from Normal U-High who will take over the lead guard duties for graduating D1 senior Keondre Schumacher. Wood is the player that makes Y&R Brown 15U go. Slick guard that gets to the cup where he finishes well. Can score at all three levels with a runner as well as mid-range jumper. Mixed in a few threes too. Speed in the open floor. He was the best player on the floor in the Y&R vs Y&R 15U semi final program battle. Plus leadership qualities!
C Shontrail Key (Young & Reckless 15U)
Key is a big bodied post at 6’6” that plays physical around the hoop. Seals on the block and isn’t afraid to go through his defenders to score in the paint. Knows how to use his physical advantages with his body to create space and score with a soft touch around the hoop. Plus rebounder that moves well in the paint for his size.
PF Steven Aragones (Illinois T-Wolves 15U)
This Joliet West 6’4” four man played on both the T-Wolves 17U and 15U squads over the weekend. He has a solid build with a strong lower half, but will probably not grow too much more which limits his projectability. Rebounds well in his area. Best getting on the glass for put backs. Not a great athlete, but is crafty.
PG Shawn Ratlif (Illinois T-Wolves 15U)
Ratlif is a tiny 5’7” point guard out of Joliet West. Plays best in the open floor where he gets up and down the floor in transition making layups and dishing the rock to wing finishers.
SG Christopher Skinner (Illinois T-Wolves 15U)
This Lockport shooting guard has a physical body, but also has some shake to his game. The 2020 two guard gets on the glass for put backs. Uses his quickness in paint to score. Competed on the defensive end.
C Yves Nkomba (KC Pacers 15U)
Caught just a glimpse of this 6’9” center out of La Sallette Academy in central Illinois. He has only been in the country for less than a year and is originally from England. Has a lot of physical tools that make him intriguing long term. Legit size and length! Really raw on the offensive end of the floor. Runs the floor well though and shoots it clean from the free throw line which shows he could develop a mid-range game. One to definitely watch in the future!