PrepHoops Top 250 Expo: 2019 Evals
This past weekend was the PrepHoopsIllinois Top 250 Expo! It was a great opportunity to see some of the top players from around the state and find new prospects. Check out our evals of the prospects at the event! Here is our breakdown of the 2019 prospects in attendance.
PG Fred Cleveland (Leo – 2019)
Cleveland might not be the biggest player, but he plays with a lot of heart and has some game to back it up. He is a slick handling lead guard that is quick and shifty with the ball in his hands. Has it on a string at times. Got dribble penetration in the lane consistently throughout the day. He shoots it pretty well from deep. Takes a bit of a long release which will be a concern at the next level. Drilled them throughout the day. Pushes it in the open floor with his speed and has court vision to make both the flashy and simple passes.
PG Demari Grant (Bolingbrook – 2019)
The guards keep coming for Bolingbrook. This time it was their junior guard Demari Grant that shined. He gets over shadowed by more heralded prospects in his schools 2019 class, but he made noise at the camp. Powerful guard at 5’10” with a compact build. Good handles getting in the lane for scores and was a solid passer as well connecting on a few impressive transition dimes. Tough and competitive kid that will see minutes for Coach Robert Brost’s squad. He was on our radar, but definitely helped his stock with a strong showing!
PG Trey Calvin (St. Viator – 2019)
Calvin is a prospect that saw his stock rise in a major way in July. The top 30 prospect in the 2019 class put on a clinic in the game session. He is a high IQ guard that pushes it in the open floor. Speed and vision. He got to the hoop consistently throughout the day. Quick handles and gets through tight spaces in traffic. Elevation on his jump shot especially from mid-range pulling up off the bounce. Very balanced and has clean mechanics on his shot. Prospect that D1 schools need to be monitoring this season.
PG Chris Roberts (Lincoln Park – 2019)
Roberts did what he does best! Get to the rack with authority. Attacking point guard with strength and athleticism. The Lincoln Park guard is primed for a breakout season after making major strides this summer with Young & Reckless. Consistently gets to the rim off the bounce. Finishes well in the paint through and around contact. Next step in his development is consistency on his jump shot and passing it better. D1 talent.
SF Jeremiah Hernandez (St. Viator – 2019)
Hernandez is a smooth wing with quality size. Plays best in the open floor as a transition player. His combination of handles, athleticism, and basketball IQ make him a tough cover. He weaves in and out of the defense getting his way to the rim. Pull up three point shoot looked good and he also had a couple nice drives in the half court. Plays with good pace. Length helps him on the defensive end of the floor. Top 20 prospect is a D1 talent.
SG Filip Bulatovic (Maine South – 2019)
Bulatovic is a prospect that first came on our radar with his play for All-In during the summer. He is a good sized two guard that is a quality athlete. Projectable body and athleticism to play at the college level. Has a chance to be a big time scorer the next two seasons for Maine South. Gets to the rim and finishes very well in the paint by maneuvering his body around defenders. Also gets to the line at a consistent rate. Quality looking jump shot. Should be on the D2 radar.
G Sean Houpt (Danville – 2019)
Houpt is one of my favorite players to watch in the 2019 class. The central Illinois combo guard is a tough and gritty junior that competes on both ends of the floor. Plus defender that moves well laterally and is extremely active with his hands causing havoc for his opponent. Offensively he can play both on and off the ball. Solid ball handler that handles it well against pressure. Good spot up shooter with a nice lefty stroke.
PG Treavon Brown (West Aurora – 2019)
Treavon Brown is a prospect that plays with a lot of speed. He consistently blew by opponents off the bounce and in transition. Jump shot continues to improve as well. Made quite a few from mid-range and even a few pull up threes.
PG Jeremiah Washington (Bogan – 2019)
Washington is a strong and compact guard gets to the rim at will. Quick and shifty ball handler that explodes to the hoop off the bounce. Finishes well through contact taking a bump at the rim and puts it up off the glass for a score. Streaky perimeter shooter that can hit a three ball, but it isn’t consistent. Rebounds well for a guard. Flashy passer. D1 prospect.
SF Martin Macenis (Stagg – 2019)
Macenis was one of the top 2019 prospects in attendance at the event. He is a big wing with size and projectability. Macenis has a European type game. His size allows him to see over the defense and he makes plays in both the half court and in transition. Really handles the ball well for his size. His best asset is his shooting. Struggled at the beginning of the day, but as the camp went along he started to find his stroke. Macenis is a D1 prospect at the mid-major and low-major levels.
PF Nate Ferguson (Lemont – 2019)
Ferguson was the top 2019 post prospect at the event. The Lemont power forward broke out on the scene this past summer. Extremely skilled big man that also has toughness. Scores on the block with his skill set and can pass out of the post. Has the ability to stretch the defense with his shot. Quality rebounder and is becoming a better post defender with his mobility and ability to anchor. D1 prospect.
SF Ethan Helwig (Metea Valley – 2019)
Helwig is another top wing in attendance at the event. The Metea Valley 6’4” small forward is a wiry wing that has good length. Will definitely need to continue to add strength before hitting the college level. Finishes well in the open floor. Quality athlete. Struggled shooting it early in the day, but as the games went along he started drilling treys. Helwig is a D1 prospect with scoring pop.
PG Nolan Niego (Lyons – 2019)
Niego is the next one in a long line of Niego brothers. Everything he does is crisp and purposeful. He has an advanced feel for the game and gets others involved with his passing. As a scorer he is a sound perimeter shooter with a clean looking stroke. His leadership and basketball IQ is off the charts.
PG Matas Masys (Willowbrook – 2019)
This Willowbrook point guard is a player that plays with a lot of spunk and grit. Tough and competitive lead guard. Plus shooter that has range out to three with ease. Solid passer and plays with a lot of flair.
PG Treye Tucker (Harlem – 2019)
Tucker is a flashy point guard from Harlem High School. He is transferring over after playing at Christian Life. The junior is a creative ball handler that gets where he needs on the floor to get things done. Isn’t afraid at all to take it right at the big guys to make plays in the lane for himself and others. Plus passer that makes some spectacular dishes. Range on jump shot. Should be on the D1 radar.