KC: Saturday Standouts
Saturday was an action packed day at the Sunflower Showcase! It concluded with a game between Hoops4Health and Hoopers Basketball Club in front of 30+ D1 coaches and a few heavy hitter head coaches. Let’s take a look at all the day’s standouts!
SF Zion Griffin (Hoopers Basketball 17U)
After he put on a show in the afternoon against MoKan’s EYBL team he came back to a loaded row of coaches including head coaches from Kansas, Loyola, SIU, Iowa State, Wisconsin Milwaukee, Illinois St, Missouri State, and many more. There were numerous other high and mid-majors assistants as well. He was good, but not spectacular. Started off a bit slow as he missed a few jumpers and seemed to be finding his way. Then he ripped off a spurt with a massive swat of a jump shot, caught a thunderous lob, and then the next trip down drilled a three. That started him. He couldn’t find his touch from deep in this one, but did mix in a few mid-range shots and got on the glass for some put backs. Also had a few transition scores. He finished with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block, and 2 steals. High-major prospect that will make the jump into the top 5 in our next 2018 update.
PF Daniel Buford (Hoopers Basketball Club 17U)
Buford is a 6’3” power forward. Yes, that’s right. He is A LOT undersized, but this kid just mauls on the interior. On the floor with a ton of great athletes he was consistently boxing his man out and getting on the offensive glass for put backs. Bulldog rebounder. He had 9 points. Worth a look for small colleges during the high school season at Bolingbrook.
PG DeAndre Heckard (Hoops4Health 17U)
Heckard is a top 10 player in the state and one of the best point guards in Illinois. With a crowd that was there to see him and Zion play in a high intense atmosphere Heckard was ready from the jump. He opened with a corner three and a couple transition layups just a few minutes into the game. One thing I like about Heckard is he always takes it up another notch in big games. The broad shouldered 6-2 point guard can attack downhill and get to the rim. Caught an alley-oop and mixed in some mid-range jumpers. Strong and explosive with the ball in his hands. He had 19 points. Mid-major prospect.
SG Eddie Creal (Hoops4Health 17U)
Creal is without a doubt a low-major prospect if he can shoot it like he did Saturday. He is a freak athlete and one of the best pure “athletes” in the state. The strong wing’s game is mostly off slashing to the hoop and playing above the rim. Saturday night he showed he has more as he drilled multiple threes and several mid-range jumpers. If this can be consistent he will be an impact low-major player. Also a plus offensive rebounder that hit the glass throughout! Finished with 19 points.
SF Ryan Kutsor (Kessel Heat 17U)
Kutsor is a tough and gritty wing from Lake Zurich. A lot of the other guys on Kessel get more love on the recruiting trail, but his three man is going be a big time D3 or NAIA player. He is a floor spacer that can knock down triples at a high rate off the catch. Fights on the glass and is a sneaky athlete. He had 12 points.
PG Benjamin Tompson (Kessel Heat 17U)
Tompson had another big outing for Kessel! The Bartlett 2018 guard is a plus shooter from the perimeter that has a good feel for finding open spots to get open for his shot. Tough kid that isn’t afraid to attack off the bounce and gets to the line a decent amount. Played awesome going for 25 points. Small college gem.
SF Terrence Hargrove (Hoopville 17U)
Hargrove was the top 2019 prospect in attendance at the event. The state’s #3 prospect was solid, but not spectacular. He had 14 points and 5 boards in the first game. Followed that up with 15 points in the night session. The 6’5” wing is more of a power player that uses his strength and athleticism on the interior. Didn’t rebound at the rate we were used to seeing, but he attacked from the mid-post like we are accustomed too. That is his bread and butter on the offensive end. Taking his man off the bounce a couple dribbles for scores at the rack. Finished a couple dump off and pick/roll dishes with dunks. In the second game he bricked a few threes, but redeemed himself by making a few. That will be the next step in his development. Becoming more consistent with the jumper and handling on the perimeter. Elite athlete that has high-major potential.
SG Malachi Smith (Ramey-Jets United 17U)
Big night for this Belleville West shooting guard. He is one of the more undervalued mid-major and low-major prospects in the state. Tough and versatile guard that likes to drive with power to the hoop where he finishes with runners/floaters. Like several of the players mentioned above many coaches have questioned his shooting consistency. He shot it very well in this contest connecting on an array of jumpers and threes. Plus rebounder for a guard. He had 19 points.
PG Jalen Hodge (Ramey-Jets United 17U)
Hodge is a lead guard from O’Fallon High School that should be getting more attention from D2 and low-major programs. Impact D2 point guard with his playmaking ability. Handles the ball well weaving in and out of traffic always with his head up looking to make a play. He is also a big time shooter as shown Saturday drilling a handful of threes with his sweet lefty stroke. Hodge had 16 points.
PG Artese Stapleton (Young & Reckless 16U)
Another day another Stapleton mention. He was already one of the top point guards in his class, but look for this Kenwood 2019 lead guard to rise even more in the next rankings update. The long and rangy guard has a tremendous feel for getting others involved. Runs the show, can score, and is an absolute stud on the defensive end with his quickness. Should be on the low-major and mid-major radars.
SG Alex Raiford (Young & Reckless 16U)
Raiford has been steady throughout the spring and summer for Y&R, but probably had his best game Saturday. Raiford is a three and D guy with his ability to stroke it from beyond the arc as well as defend multiple positions. Plus shooter off the catch that mixes in finishes in transition.
SF Cam’Ron Fletcher (Jets-Ramey United 15U)
Huge fan of Fletcher! This 2020 Vashon (MO) product will be in the running for a top 3 spot in the PrepHoopsMissouri 2020 rankings when they debut. He is 6’5” and an absolute lights out shooter! He is money in the bank from beyond the arc. Extremely deep range on his shot with picture perfect form. Plus athlete. Would like to see his game round out more, but he has plus size and shooting ability at a young age. Went for 22 points. Potential high-major or mid-major guy down the line.
PF Ethan Schuemer (Mercury Elite 17U)
Schuemer played well in his matchup against Hoopville. The 6’5” power forward is so crafty around the hoop. Highly skilled player that has excellent footwork and moves on the block. Isn’t the most athletic, but makes up for it with smarts. Can shoot it from mid-range and runs the floor hard. Finishes through contact. Solid rebounder that fights on the glass. He had 15 points and 8 boards. Really good D2 prospect.
PG Isaiah Fuller (Mercury Elite 17U)
Fuller has quietly had an exceptional July for his new Mercury Elite team. The OPRF guard has size and lethal speed. His ability to get out and push in the open floor is his biggest asset. Great acceleration with the ball in his hands and gets to the rim seemingly at will. Slick passer to as he made several spectacular dishes. Fuller had 23 points. No doubt D2 player and should be under consideration at the LM level.
SG Justin Eagins (Kessel Heat 16U)
Eagins is one of the “Big 3” on Kessel’s 16U group and he was the standout on this day. The Downers Grove South shooting guard only stands at 6’1” so he doesn’t have ideal size, but has a special skill. The lefty can really shoot it pulling up. Works excellent around screens pulling up from behind them for triples. Also is an underrated passer that works well in the half court especially in the pick and roll. If he can become a combo guard type he has value at the low-major level. Went for 18 points.
PG Chris Pugh (Team Illinois 17U)
Pugh started off the day with a dagger drilling the game winning shot! This Bloomington 6’1” point guard is a rangy guard that has speed off the bounce. Got in the lane where he made a few runners and spin moves. Jump shot was streaky, but he made the clutch step back when it mattered. Bad free throw shooter. Small college prospect. He had 23 points.
SG Michael Huff (Kessel Heat 17U)
Huff was a complete unknown to us coming into the game. The Grant High school 6’1” shooting guard was on fire from three. Everything he threw up from distance was going in. Quick release on his shot. Mixed in a couple drives, but mostly was just a spectacular shooter. The small college prospect had 25 points.
SF David Binion (Kessel Heat 17U)
Binion was another player new to our radar. He is a 6’3” small forward from South Elgin High School. More of a power wing that did his damage in the paint with high/low finishes as well as getting on the offensive glass for put backs. Went for 25 points. Small college player.