Class of 2019 Top Post Prospects
In our next examination of the post players in the class of 2019 we will look at the 10 top power forward an centers in the overall rankings!
C Francis Okoro (Normal West)
Overall Ranking: #1
Travel Team: Brad Beal Elite
He is a physical specimen that has a college ready body right now! His raw strength combined with his athleticism make him a special prospect. Okoro has the ability to rebound at as high of a rate as anyone in the country. He showed that in the EYBL. Also when he gets post touches Okoro can do damage with quick spins and powerful dunks. Runs the floor about as well as any big in the state. Elite high-major prospect in our eyes.
PF EJ Liddell (Belleville West)
Overall Ranking: #2
Travel Team: Brad Beal Elite
Liddell looked more comfortable on the perimeter during the summer. He has obviously put significant work in on this area of his game. Showed more consistency on the mid-range jump shot which allowed him to bring his defenders out. Overall he was just more fluid facing up. Around the hoop he finishes with powerful jams especially on dump off passes. Defensively he is solid guarding on the perimeter. Good lateral mobility. Improving shot blocker. He has a great second jump which allows him to sky for blocks and offensive rebounds. High-major prospect.
PF Chris Payton (Bloomington)
Overall Ranking: #6
Travel Team: Brad Beal Elite
Payton stands at 6’6” with a strong body. He is a powerful athlete on the interior that plays with a motor and aggression. Very physical player around the hoop. Gets on the glass on both ends of the floor. This is an area that despite being slightly undersized he has proven he can rebound at a high enough rate to play the four at the next level. Payton gets tip slams at the rim. Skill set isn’t all the way there yet, but you can’t deny the raw athleticism and strength he brings to the table.
C Ciaran Brayboy (New Trier)
Overall Ranking: #7
Travel Team: Mac Irvin Fire
Brayboy stands at 6’9” with broad shoulders and a strong upper body. He is a physical low post prospect that when he gets involved plays with a lot of energy. Seems to play much better with his Mac Irvin Fire team than when we saw him during the high school season last year. Displays skill with hook shots over both shoulders. High/low finisher. Also gets on the offensive glass consistently. Converts dump off passes. Rim protector on the defensive end. Mid-major and low-majors need to start looking into one of the better 2019 post in the state. Consistency is the key with him.
PF Nate Ferguson (Lemont)
Overall Ranking: #17
Travel Team: Chicago Lockdown
Strong frame and good length for this Lemont post who put himself on radar with Chicago Lockdown. He is a stretch four man that can knock down pick and pop shots with ease. Fades away from drivers for feathery jumpers. Dominant on the glass. Ferguson is a beast on the defensive glass. Also very effective on the offensive glass not only high pointing balls for himself, but when he can’t grab it he taps it out to his guards. Does this numerous times a game. Low-major prospect right now.
PF Spencer Boehm (New Trier)
Overall Ranking: #21
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Boehm is a skilled 6’8” post with quality strength. Crafty low-post scorer that does most of his damage on the block. Not the most explosive athlete, but he has a knack for scoring in the paint with his back to the basket. Runs the floor and can face up on occasion. Skill potential is what makes him intriguing at the low-major level.
PF Thomas Welch (Naperville North)
Overall Ranking: #22
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Welch is one of the faster rising post prospects in the rising junior class. Welch brings a solid skill level to the table along with mobility at the four man spot. He can handle it some facing up and has a soft touch when scoring around the hoop.
PF CJ Wilbourn (Normal Community)
Overall Ranking: #31
Travel Team: Quad City Elite
The broad shouldered 6’6” four man was physical on the glass competing on the boards. Showed more offense than we had seen in the past with a couple of hook shots and even made a three in one game. He seemed to playing with more confidence during July.
PF Chris White (Marian Catholic)
Overall Ranking: #32
Travel Team: Meanstreets
This is one of our favorite under the radar players in this class. At 6’6” he is a bouncy forward that has a lot of potential. The plus athlete showed well as a rebounder especially in traffic on the circuit. Not a huge scorer at this stage, but does show flashes with a soft touch at times. Low-major prospect with developmental upside.
PF Keenon Cole (Steamwood)
Overall Ranking: #33
Travel Team: Mac Irvin Fire
Cole has a quick second jump and explosion off the floor as he snatches boards off the rim. Length plays very well on the defensive end of the floor as he is a major shot blocking presence. Runs the floor tremendously well and finishes above the rim for slams. The most impressive development in his game we saw was some pick and pop skill. The form is a little off, but with some tweaking he could be a good shooter. Significant upside especially if he continues to grow!