Arch Elite Showcase: Illinois’ Most Impressive Forwards

<p>The Arch Elite Challenge took place over the weekend at Center St. Louis and Prep Hoops was able to check in on a good amount of the action.  Premier Hoops puts on top notch events throughout the Midwest and this one was certainly no exception.  The gym was swimming with individual talent and competitive match-ups, much to the delight of a host of D2/D2/NAIA/JUCO coaches.  Here is a look at 5 forwards from Illinois who stood out the most:</p> <p><em><strong>6'8 c/o '21 Chris Hodges - Illinois Wolves  (Schaumburg)</strong></em></p> <p>Chris is one of the most coveted c/o '21 forwards in Illinois and had a strong weekend in St. Louis.  He has an excellent physical build and moves very well for his size.  He made a living Saturday as a rim runner and transition finisher which included some impressive dunks as well as acrobatic switch-hand finishes in traffic.  He has great footwork on the block and showed an array of post moves that freed up a soft touch around the basket.  He opens up wide with hands ready on the pick and roll and is a strong finisher through contact.</p> <p><em><strong>6'7 c/o '21 Julian Campbell - Illinois Wolves (Palatine)</strong></em></p> <p>I came away very impressed with Julian in just a short amount of time watching him.  A very large, imposing forward, he can scrap and score around the rim and is a force on the glass.  However, he showed off impressive perimeter skills that included some guard-like ball-handling skills and a smooth, effortless jumper with range that extends beyond the three point arc.  He runs the floor hard in transition and does have the ability to finish above the rim.</p> <p><em><strong>6'7 c/o '20 Jordan &amp; 6'7 c/o '20 Bennett Kwiecinski - Illinois Wolves (Loyola)</strong></em></p> <p>The Illinois Wolves program as a whole is loaded with talented forwards, and the Kwiecinski brothers are no exception.  They look similar and play a similar game.  Both are well-built at about 6'7 and have some polish and skill to their games.  They are solid defensively and do a nice job of corralling the glass.  Both are capable and probably at their best operating out of the high post or facing up from the block where they can put it on the floor or knock down the mid-range jumper.</p> <p><em><strong>6'6 c/o '20 Aaron Molton - Gateway IL (Collinsville)</strong></em></p> <p>The big man from Collinsville played well against some tough competition over the weekend.  He is a thick, physical forward that not only can muscle his way under the rim for easy buckets but can also use his strength and craftiness to finish on larger defenders despite being for the most part a below the rim player.  He did a nice job of setting big screens and rolling to the block with a purpose, seeking out a defender to seal off.</p>