Swish N Dish: Scott’s Sunday Standouts
Sunday was the final day of the NY2LA Sports Swish N Dish. Many Illinois teams were still in the mix including a title game that featured 5 of the top 7 prospects in the PrepHoopsIllinois 2019 rankings. See what players from around the Midwest made an impact on Easter in Scott’s Sunday Standouts!
PG Markese Jacobs (Mac Irvin Fire 17U)
Jacobs played the best I have seen him in a year on Sunday afternoon in their game against REACH. The Kansas commit played free and easy. It was the first time in a while it looked like he was genuinely having fun. Jacobs was in attack mode getting to the rim at will. He was aggressive using his burst and quick initial step to get in the lane where he finished at the cup. Also was feeling it from the perimeter shooting deep pull ups and drilling them. He had 28 points in a win.
C Francis Okoro (Brad Beal Elite 17U)
The state’s top 2019 prospect did his thing in the championship game against the Wolves. He bullied his way in the paint for scores getting deep post position on a consistent basis. Okoro was dominant with his play on the block with dunk after dunk. He had a couple impressive spin moves and a nice right handed hook shot. Rebounded at a high level. Elite high-major prospect.
C Jalen Thomas (REACH Legends 17U)
Thomas is a 6’9” broad shouldered post out of Michigan that physically looks like a grown man already! He was a presence inside on the defensive end with his shot blocking swatting multiple shots. Quick to the offensive glass for multiple put backs. He drilled three mid-range jumpers. Intriguing prospect. He had 15 points.
SF Martin Macenis (ET21 Buckeyes 17U)
Macenis is a prospect that we were really high on last summer and the Stagg 2019 wing shined on Sunday. He has size at 6’5” with a skilled European type game. Macenis is an excellent passer from the wing that dishes with creativity while finding his teammates. Handles it well for his size and can really shoot the basketball from both mid-range and three. Does a nice job of creating space. Macenis had 19 points. D1 prospect.
G Matas Masys (ET21 Buckeyes 17U)
This Willowbrook guard is one of the premier catch and shoot threats in the 2019 class at the small college level. He was straight money in the game we saw with his quick release and pure stroke. The 6’2” guard moves well without the ball to get open.
SG Moses Moody (Brad Beal Elite 17U)
Welcome to the big time Mr Moody! In his first event with BBE and playing on a high level team this 6’6” wing from North Little Rock High School absolutely put on a show! He was about as lethal as possible against the Mac Irvin Fire drilling three after three. It was incredible to be honest. He made like 6 in a row. Big wing that can flat out shoot it at an elite level. He mixes in a slash every now and then and is a quality athlete. Projects as a three and D stud at the high-major level. Little Trevor Ariza to his game.
SG Keyyaun Batchman (Brad Beal Elite 17U)
Batchman is a prospect that we really liked a ton during the high school season at Chaminade in St. Louis with the way he shot the ball and impacted the game. For BBE he is asked to be more of a tough gritty glue guy that does the little things with all the stars on the team. What I liked about him is that he played that role throughout most of the weekend. Did whatever was asked of him coming off the bench. In the title game with Moody and another prospect having to leave early they relied on his perimeter shooting more and he delivered. Batchman connected on multiple threes and a sweet finish at the rim for 11 points. Low-majors should be all over this kid.
SG Fillip Bulatovic (All-In Athletics 17U)
This 6’4” wing from Maine South has made an impression each time we have seen him over the last 12 months. He is a skilled scorer that can shoot it and is creative with the rock in his hands. Plays hard and has some grit to him. Scored on a backdoor cut and a couple other layups. High level small college prospect.
C Vuk Djuric (Kessel Heat 17U)
This 6’6” Lane Tech big man shined at one of our PrepHoops camps, but this was the first time we have seen him since. He has a strong upper body. Excellent rebounder within his area grabbing them with his strong hands. Dominated on the offensive glass with three put backs in traffic. Mixes in some face up ability being able to shoot it hitting a three and mid-range jumper.
SG Perry Cowan (Illinois Wolves 17U)
I thought Cowan had an excellent weekend! The Illinois Wolves wing who is a top 10 prospect in the PHI 2019 Rankings has entered this spring with a more aggressive mindset and it showed. He was flying in from the perimeter to grab offensive rebounds. He hit some jumpers from mid-range which is an area he excels, but he wasn’t settling for it. Score in the lane on tough takes. Cowan established himself as a no brainer at the mid-major level.
PF Keenon Cole (Illinois Wolves 17U)
Cole is an upside prospect from Streamwood that uses his elite hops to get things done around the hoop. Active offensive rebounder getting tip ins and finishes in transition running the floor hard. Showed some skill putting it on the deck a little. Jump shot has greatly improved hitting multiple off the catch. Has a bit of a long release. Finished with 14 points in the title game.
SF Cam’Ron Fletcher (Brad Beal Elite 16U)
This 6’6” small forward is a prime contender for the top 2020 prospect in the state of Missouri. He had it rolling on Sunday in their playoff game that we caught. He is a plus shooter from deep that was particularly effective spotting up from the corners. Fletcher is a plus athlete that can score in the open floor and got on the glass well clearing it defensively and converted several put backs on offense. Fletcher had 18 points. High-major prospect from Vashon in St. Louis.
SF Jalen Johnson (Phenom University 16U)
Johnson is a stud! The top 10 national prospect more than lived up to the billing as he helped lead his team to the championship game of the 16U division. The wing has a special combination of size, skill, and athleticism on the perimeter. Crisp ball handler that scores at the rim through contact with and-1 opportunities. Range on jump shot out to beyond the three point arc. Plus shooter. I thought his passing for a wing was off the charts making several nice passes that led to buckets for his teammates. Johnson had 16 points in the game we saw.
C AJ Casey (Meanstreets 14U)
Casey is one of the premier 2022 prospects entering the state of Illinois next season. He told us he will either attend Simeon or Whitney Young. The 6’7” center is a young big that has size, but game to back it up. He has a projectable frame with long arms and broad shoulders. Should be able to add weight on easy over the next few years. Incredibly mobile for his size with fluid post moves and runs the floor like a deer! Flashes advanced footwork in the post already and gets on the glass. Casey has a chance to be special. Already holds two D1 offers.