Best of Best: 2018 Shooters
In our series “Best of the Best” we look at a specific aspect of a prospects game and evaluate who are the best at that specific thing across the state. Today we look at the best 2018 Perimeter Shooters in Illinois.
SG Tim Finke (Champaign Central – 2018)
The state’s top two guard didn’t shoot it particularly well from three during the July live period, but we have evaluated him enough over the last three years to know that he is a high level shooter. Moves exceptionally well off the ball to prepare to get his shot off.
SF Drew Peterson (Libertyville – 2018)
Peterson has great size for the position at 6’7”. That height on the perimeter allows him to get his shot off with more ease. Plus pull up shooter in transition and can also hit it off the catch.
SF Sam Shafer (Lincoln Way East – 2018)
The SIU commit is an athletic wing that combines that with high level shot making from the perimeter. He is a plus threat off the catch with a quick release and consistent accuracy.
SG Quinlan Bennett (Proviso East – 2018)
Bennett is a smooth scoring wing that had a strong July with Kessel Heat. What we like about his game is how he gets to the mid-range and shoots it well from 15-18 feet with a smooth pull up game.
SG Colton Sandage (Bloomington – 2018)
Sandage is a big time perimeter threat that can flat out let it fly from deep. The Bloomington guard proved with some monster performances for Team RWA that he has a quick release and can get smoking hot from three.
SG Justin Boyd (Whitney Young – 2018)
Boyd is a wiry wing out of Whitney Young that will be looked at the next level as a three and D guy. He is best spotting up from the corners and drilling threes off dribble penetration.
SG Isaiah Saulsberry (Harrisburg – 2018)
Saulsberry is a name many might know, but they should! He is an athletic wing from southern Illinois that can really shoot it. We have seen him several times get extremely hot shooting it from beyond the arc.
SG Kenny Pittman (Simeon – 2018)
Pittman was scorching from three when we saw him up in Minnesota at the Battle at the Lakes where he was absolutely in a zone drilling three after three off the catch.
PG Michael Smith (Joliet West – 2018)
Smith is a tough and competitive kid that is learning to play more on the ball, but his strength is definitely his shooting. Quick release that can pull off the dribble or shoot off a pass.
SF Calvin Fisher (Monticello – 2018)
Fisher emerged in July as one of the better small college gems. He has quality size and shoots it well from the perimeter especially spotting up.
PG Brian Conaghan (New Trier – 2018)
Conaghan plays the point guard spot, but is most effective when playing off it and finding places to get open for jump shots.
PG Ben Tompson (Bartlett – 2018)
Tompson lit up July with Kessel Heat! He went from relative unknown to primetime D3 prospect with his lights out shooting.
PG Sammy Green (Alton Marquette – 2018)
Green is a flashy point guard that can handle the ball with flare, but is also a perimeter marksman. We have seen Green get really hot from three.
PG Jack Marinko (Edwardsville – 2018)
Marinko played with Green on Gateway Illinois and they formed one of the best shooting backcourts in the state. Marinko was money in the bank when we saw him in the Collinsville Championship Game last December shooting them to a win over Althoff.
SG Michael Huff (Grant – 2018)
Huff emerged in July with his shooting from three. This Grant wing showed he could be a gem at the small college level with his spot up ability.
SG Brian Hernandez (Orr – 2018)
Hernandez is a thick bodied wing that is tough as nails. He is a lefty that spots up off dribble penetration and is productive shooting it from deep.