Top 2021 Wings
Who are the premier wings in the 2021 class in the state of Illinois? We break down the very early top prospects at the shooting guard and small forward positions which are the strength of this class early on.
Max Christie (Rolling Meadows)
Overall Ranking: #1
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Christie debuts at #1 in the 2021 rankings. This 6’4” wing was been incredible in the spring! He has a long and lean body that he will need to add strength onto as time goes on, but this kid has it all skill wise. Versatile being able to play the 1 through the 3. Handles it getting pretty much wherever he wants on the floor with relative ease. Feathery jump shot from all over the floor. He is especially lethal with it pulling up from mid-range, but can definitely stretch to three. Excellent passer for a wing that could almost be a point-forward. Christie is a no doubt high-major prospect.
Brandon Weston (Lake Forest Academy)
Overall Ranking: #2
Travel Team: NY Rens
Big time slashing scorer that gets in the lane and makes plays scoring at the hoop. Finishes consistently through traffic at the cup. Also flashes deep range on a jumper. Rebounds very well for his position. He is originally from the east coast and plays with the NY Rens 15U and 16U on the circuit. Our east coast guru tells us he has played like a high-major prospect this spring.
Ahamad Bynum (Simeon)
Overall Ranking: #3
Travel Team: Mac Irvin Fire
The Simeon 2021 bounced around teams in the early part of the spring and then found a home with the Fire in May. In a late night game at Run N Slam Bynum played at a high level. He scored 31 points taking it right at the defense over and over in a relentless manner against one of the elite 2022s in the country. Bynum is a powerfully built wing that when he plays with a dominant mindset is a tough matchup! Should be a key contributor for the Wolverines this season.
Tevin Smith (Danville)
Overall Ranking: #6
Travel Team: Meanstreets
Smith is an intriguing small forward with strong and freakish athleticism at 6’4”. The Danville wing put that on display this spring with a few poster dunks including one over elite post Michael Foster. He has a burst going to the rim and is a great transition player. Upside player that needs to continue to develop his perimeter game. One of better wings in class.
Jaylin Gibson (Evanston)
Overall Ranking: #7
Travel Team: Hoops Avenue
Gibson is a quick twitched athlete that plays insanely hard. He flies around on the defensive end being active looking to create turnovers. Quick to the offensive glass for put backs. Mostly a slasher at this stage and his shot will need to improve long term.
Khailieo Terry (Champaign Central)
Overall Ranking: #8
Travel Team: Indy Heat
Terry is a FREAK SHOW ATHLETE! This 6’4” forward is a springy jumper that also gets on the glass. Just begging to see some skill out of him!!! He did hit one three when we saw him at Run N Slam, but the release was slow and he didn’t look overly comfortable with it. Terry is one of the better 2021’s in the state, but the upside is limited until he either grows or improves skill.
Troy D’Amico (Niles Notre Dame)
Overall Ranking: #10
Travel Team: Meanstreets
D’Amico is a 6’6” wing from Niles Notre Dame that is coming off a super productive freshman campaign. He produces, but also has some upside to grow as a prospect. Very high skill level out of the wing as he showed hitting an array of jump shots from three. Crafty around the hoop and efficient with his shots. Like what he brings to the table as an outlet passer after securing rebounds. More athletic than I remembered during the season.
John Poulakidas (Neuqua Valley)
Overall Ranking: #11
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
This kid has tremendous length and should grow a couple more inches. He can really shoot the basketball. Sound looking lefty shot. He handles it just ok at this stage, but did mix in some crafty drives. Definitely an intriguing player to continue to follow.
Isaiah Barnes (OPRF)
Overall Ranking: #12
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Barnes is a very intriguing prospect in the 2021 class with his long, athletic, and rangy build. He struggles finishing at the rim at times, but looks so smooth getting there with effortless handles. He has his moments passing. Shoots a good ball from deep, but is inconsistent knocking it down. Should be on D1 radar. Transferring to OPRF from Romeoville for his sophomore season.
Amar Augillard (Zion Benton)
Overall Ranking: #13
This Zion Benton 6’3” small forward is a power wing that has great strength especially in his upper body. Plays very physical especially in the paint. The thick bodied small forward can handle it some in the open floor and hit threes. Solid offensive rebounder. Will probably need to grow to 6’5” to max out his ability with his bulk.
Bryce Hopkins (Fenwick)
Overall Ranking: #14
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Hopkins out of Fenwick is a 6’5” small forward with a well-built frame. He finishes very well around the hoop on drives going through contact being able to take a bump in the paint. Crafty finisher. Shows potential as a shooter from three. Effective scorer that should project as one of the better wings in the class.
Jaiden Lee (Joliet West)
Overall Ranking: #15
Travel Team: Illinois T-Wolves
Lee is a long and lanky shooting guard that stands at 6’4” and is a flat out knock down shooter from deep! Steps into his shot and has a quick release up top. Clean and consistent mechanics. Looks like one of the premier shooters in the 2021 class early on. The Joliet West wing also gets on the glass for put backs. Like his projectability a lot!