July Eyes: 2018 Prospects
Every July there are several guys who put themselves in position heading into the critical three week evaluation period to make noise. This might be from buzz after the spring or players making a name during the camps in June. Here are 10 2018 prospects from Illinois that college coaches are going to be watching closely!
C George Conditt (Corliss)
Overall Rank: #5
Position Rank: #1 Center
Travel Team: Team RWA
Conditt created a ton of buzz, but most of it was post live periods in the spring. There were a few high-major coaches that saw him during the second live period, but 90% of the coaches that have offered or are recruiting him haven’t seen the 6’10” center play. The long and rangy center brings versatility on both ends of the floor. He can face up, shoot, and handle on offense. Defensively can defend multiple positions and block shots. Look for a lot of high-majors to heavily watch him in July.
C Jalen Shaw (Larkin)
Overall Rank: #11
Position Rank: #2 Center
Travel Team: Kessel Heat
Shaw has steadily got better over the last year. He made big strides as a junior and has continued to flash ability with Kessel Heat on the circuit. The 6’9” center has upside with his length and ability to score on the block. He has an emerging face up shot. This is a prospect that a lot of mid-major schools are going to be closely monitoring throughout the month to see how his game has progressed since the spring.
SF Zion Griffin (Hinsdale South)
Overall Rank: #13
Position Rank: #5 Small Forward
Travel Team: Hoopers Basketball Club
Griffin is another prospect that has momentum coming out of the spring. The 6’5” forward has proven he is more of a wing player than the power forward he played during the high school season. Griffin has a nice combination of strength and athleticism which he displayed in the spring with Hoopers. He played in some smaller profile tournaments where he dominated with his ability to get to the rim. Mid-major and low-major schools are going to be looking to see if the consistency on the jumper has improved and can he do it against a higher level of competition.
C Ryan Davis (Conant)
Overall Rank: #16
Position Rank: #3 Center
Travel Team: Wisconsin Playground Warriors
Davis was one of the biggest stock risers out of the spring. He is a prospect that has been intriguing to college coaches for a while, but wasn’t overly impressive when we evaluated him during the high school season in a few games with Conant. His mindset locked in this spring with Wisconsin Playground Warriors. He played more physical in the post and displayed a consistent face up jumper. He picked up a lot of LM/MM offers in the spring. Expect more to be watching in July.
SG Zion Young (Simeon)
Overall Rank: #21
Position Rank: #7 Shooting Guard
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
Young moved back to the Midwest after spending a year in Utah. He is known to Midwest programs from his time in Indiana, but now that he is back mid-majors will take an even closer look at this power and athletic wing. Young can get hot from deep and has a scorers mentality.
PG Tyronn Mosley (Orr)
Overall Rank: #23
Position Rank: #6 Point Guard
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Mosley saw his stock rise a ton in May after he joined the Illinois Wolves. The 6’5” point guard has a lot of intriguing tools with his length, ability to handle the ball, and can defend multiple positions at a high level. College coaches are going to want to see improvement in the jump shot. DePaul jumped in early with an offer. We would expect many mid-major programs across the Midwest to make sure they get out to see this Orr guard in July.
PG Xavier Pinson (St. Patrick’s)
Overall Rank: #30
Position Rank: #8 Point Guard
Travel Team: Mac Irvin Fire
Pinson played on the Mac Irvin Fire’s NY2LA squad where he put up consistent numbers as the clear go to player. He is a smooth and slippery lead guard that has steadily improved his stock over the last two years. Pinson is a player that many mid-major and low-major schools are interested in checking out in July to see if he can duplicate his strong spring.
SF Ethan Schuemer (Willowbrook)
Overall Rank: #34
Position Rank: #9 Small Forward
Travel Team: Mercury Elite
Schuemer is right on that border of low-major/D2 prospect. He is more naturally a power forward that is making the transition to the perimeter. Has shown strides in that with a good face up jumper and improved ball handling. Not an overly explosive athlete and defensively who will he guard are some of the concerns. Look for him to be a priority for D2 schools and low-majors taking a peak.
PG Branden Ellis (Warren)
Overall Rank: #38
Position Rank: #9
Travel Team: Kessel Heat
Ellis closed out the spring with a bang! The athletic guard proved a few things. He could run a team and get buckets at the same time. The track star pushes it with speed and acceleration in the open floor. After a strong close to the spring he will have low-major schools monitoring him and making sure they get a chance to get out to see him. Could potentially do both track and basketball at the next level.
SF Dontia Johnson (Romeoville)
Overall Rank: #47
Position Rank: #12 Small Forward
Travel Team: Hoops4Health
This 6’7” small forward is one of the biggest boom or bust prospects in the class. He has tremendous size for position, athleticism, and strength. The Romeoville product flashes immense potential in stretches, but then fades away for periods as well with an inconsistent motor. How productive Johnson is during July for Hoops4Health will play a big role in what level he ends up at.