Top 2021 Wings
In our next look at the wings in the 2021 class we dive into the top shooting guards and small forwards in the latest rankings!
Max Christie (Rolling Meadows)
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Overall Ranking: #1
Christie is the clear top prospect at not only the wing spot, but overall in this class. He has separated himself from the pack early in the process as the #1 overall player. What makes him special is his skill set at 6’4”. Christie can essentially play the one through three and it is tough to project what position he fits in best as right now long term. Smooth scoring game with a feathery jumper. Excellent feel for the game at a young age being able to find his spots to score as well as set up others with his above average passing. Defensively he has a chance to be a plus defender with his length. Reminds you a bit of a former St. Joe’s star Evan Turner.
Brandon Weston (Lake Forest Academy)
Travel Team: NY Rens
Overall Ranking: #3
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. Bit out of sight playing for the NY Rens on the grassroots circuit. Was phenomenal at PrepHoops Top 250!
Ahamad Bynum (Simeon)
Travel Team: Mac Irvin Fire
Overall Ranking: #3
The Simeon shooting guard played with a great deal of confidence in July and it showed through in the numbers. He was a scoring machine drilling pull up jumpers all over the floor. His shot was on point every time we saw him! Electric burst off the bounce and can also finish with a floater. Chicago tough guard that is primed for a big year with a lot of wing minutes opening up at Simeon.
Isaiah Barnes (OPRF)
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Overall Ranking: #6
Barnes is a high upside prospect that is transferring from Romeoville to OPRF. He displayed all of that potential in July for the Wolves 15U. The rising sophomore has big time athleticism and size on the perimeter. He has a lot of potential on his jump shot with a clean release. Plays well in transition as a wing finisher and when he is aggressive going to the hoop it can be a problem for the defense.
Bryce Hopkins (Fenwick)
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Overall Ranking: #8
Hopkins is a strong bodied small forward that is a quality rebounder using his quickness to get on the glass for second chance points. Displayed improved athleticism throughout July being able to handle it on the perimeter and win off the dribble then finish at the hoop with strength through opponents. Jumper has chance to be an effective weapon. Defends well in the post against bigger opponents.
Troy D’Amico (Niles Notre Dame)
Travel Team: Meanstreets
Overall Ranking: #9
What you have to like about this Niles Notre Dame small forward is his skill set on the perimeter. Handles it, plus shooter with range on his shot, and can post up smaller defenders. Good passing feel for a wing. Not a freak athlete, but good enough at this stage. Big time performance at Top 250.
Tevin Smith (Danville)
Travel Team: Meansteets
Overall Ranking: #10
Danville wing is a powerful slasher with very good athleticism. Coast to coast takes finishing above the rim. His jump shot was on point as well drilling them from both mid-range and three throughout July with Meanstreets 15U. He is primed to take over at Danville as the go to scorer.
John Poulakidas (Neuqua Valley)
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
Overall Ranking: #11
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. Missed all of July with an injury, but will be ready to go for the high school season.
Jaylin Gibson (Evanston)
Travel Team: Indy Heat
Overall Ranking: #13
Gibson is a big time athlete. He is a quick twitched athlete that plays insanely hard. 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)
Travel Team: Indy Heat
Overall Ranking: #14
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 back in the spring, 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.
Jaiden Lee (Joliet West)
Travel Team: Illinois T-Wolves
Overall Ranking: #16
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!
Blake Peters (Evanston)
Travel Team: Meanstreets
Overall Ranking: #17
Peters is one of the best shooters in the state of Illinois. The Evanston 6’0” wing can flat out shoot the rock from beyond the arc. He moves well to get open, sets up his shot, and has a lighting quick release. Does some gritty stuff rebounding and taking charges. If he can show he can play some point he will fly up this list.
Tommie Williams (Belleville West)
Travel Team: Ramey-Jets United
Overall Ranking: #18
Williams has only played two high school basketball games after transferring from St. Louis his freshman season. This year he will be a key role player for the defending state champs. Once EJ Liddell graduates he will be the guy at Belleville West! The 6’2” two guard plays bigger than his size with his combination of strength and athleticism. Attacks the hoop with force and skill. Crisp ball handler that finishes well in the paint and has a smooth looking jumper. Crashes the glass well from his guard spot for second chance points.
Amar Augillard (Zion Benton)
Travel Team: Meanstreets
Overall Ranking: #21
Augillard is one of the tougher evals in this class. At 6’5” he has superior strength against players his own age. Such a powerful slasher that mauls opponents on the offensive glass. Finishes in transition and can hit a mid-range jumper as well.
Jalen Butler (Niles North)
Travel Team: Mac Irvin Fire
Overall Ranking: #24
Butler is a physically developed young wing from Niles North High School that proved to be a very good rebounder especially at the 15U level for the Mac Irvin Fire in July. Snatched boards in traffic with his length. Makes a lot of plays with his athleticism on both ends of the floor.