Best of Best: Passers
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 Passers in Illinois.
SF Talen Horton-Tucker (Simeon)
THT is one of the premier wing passers in the state. This is one of the aspects that college coaches love about the Simeon small forward. He can not only score, but is an excellent facilitator that at times can even play some point forward.
PG Xavier Castaneda (Whitney Young)
Castaneda is a true floor general that would rather set others up than get his own points. Pushes the tempo and finds guys in the open floor.
SG Javon Freeman (Whitney Young)
The first time we evaluated Freeman several years back the aspect of his game that caught our eye was his passing for a wing player. That is still the case as the slippery guard is one of the better wing passers in Illinois.
PG Maurice Commander (Curie)
Commander is a commanding lead guard that knows how to run a team and get others involved. He is a high IQ guard that makes sound decisions with the rock in his hands.
PG Xavier Pinson (Simeon)
Pinson really impressed us with his running of a team and getting others involved this spring and summer. He is a fluid athlete that has an excellent feel for making quick decisions and finding guys for scores.
SG Darius Beane (Carbondale)
Beane is one of the better passing wings in the state. This brings a lot of value to his game. Makes crisp and precise passes putting his teammates in situations to succeed.
PG Jalen Hodge (O’Fallon)
Hodge is another southern Illinois guard that can really pass the rock. The lefty plays the game with flair and always has his head up in transition looking to find an open teammate.
PG Alex Casieri (Deerfield)
Casieri showed out with his passing in July both at the High Academic Camp and with Wisconsin Playground Warriors. He has an excellent feel for the game and gets others involved finding spot up shooters consistently.
PG Chase Adams (Orr)
Adams is a prospect that has been on the radar for a while and one of the reasons is his ability to get others involved with his passing.
PG Sammy Green (Alton Marquette)
Green is a fun player to watch with the flair he plays with. Although he can definitely score he brings some pop to the table with his slick passing ability.
PG Artese Stapleton (Kenwood)
Stapleton is a 2019 point guard that can really dish the rock. That was seen this summer with Young & Reckless where he had multiple huge assists games.
PG Bryce Bultman (Nashville)
Bultman is an outstanding passer with size at 6’4”. Tremendous feel for the game and throws dimes on the money in transition.
SG Michael Salter (Romeoville)
Salter is a shooting guard that can really pass the rock. Plays with a lot of excitement to his game and makes some spectacular dishes.
PG Jack McDonald (Geneva)
McDonald became Geneva’s all-time single season assist leader as a sophomore so you know this kid can pass the rock!
PG Zach Toussaint (Johnsburg)
Toussaint is a fun player to watch that gets others involved and is creative with his passing both in the half court and transition.
PG Treye Tucker (Harlem)
Tucker is a flashy passer that makes some high risk/high reward passes and puts a lot of zip on his dimes.
PG JR Cison (Lake Zurich)
Cison is a tough point guard that knows how to get others involved with his passing both in the transition game and the half court. High IQ guard.
SF Isaiah Rivera (Geneseo)
Rivera is the lone 2020 on this list, but he is among the best passers in his class despite being a wing. Excellent feel for the game and makes great decisions on the fly.