PrepHoops Circuit: Illinois Stock Risers Pt 1

What players did the most to help themselves on the PrepHoops Circuit this spring and summer? Here we dive into Part 1 of the biggest Illinois Stock Risers from the PrepHoops Circuit!   Antoine Bloxton (The Work Foundation 17U) Bloxton was one of the top performers at the Hard Work Live Event in Madison. He went off on Friday night as the Bogan standout scored in a variety of ways. Pull ups, threes, drives, and transition scores. Very smooth offensive player who showcased he is primed for a monster senior season. Ola Ajiboye (Team RWA 16U) This long and rangy 2021 power forward continues to make strides each time we see him play. Angular forward that is an impact player on the defensive end with his shot blocking and offensively continues to improve with his mid-range game and rim running.   James Dent (Capital City/All-In Athletics) Dent played on two PHC teams this spring and summer excelling on both. The Springfield Southeast shooting guard is an elite perimeter sniper that drilled shot after shot no matter what uniform he had on. Dent put up some of the biggest scoring games on the 16U level all circuit long!   RJ Ogom (All-In Gold 17U) It was a great spring and summer for this Homewood Flossmoor power forward. The undersized 6’5” four man has a strong build and a never ending motor. He just mauls opponents on the interior especially hitting the offensive glass. Very good offensive rebounder who has a knack for getting put backs. Scores on power moves on the block and can take his man from the high-post at times.   Kyndall Davis (All-In Gold17U) One of the biggest stock boosters in Illinois was this Bogan 6’6” small forward. He has positional size, strength, and athleticism. Davis shot the ball about as well as we have seen him in multiple events. Consistent from three off the catch. Explosive slashing in one on one situations. Has a sweet euro step in his bag. Becoming a go to scorer that can also lock down on the defensive end.   Dominic Martinelli (All-In Gold 17U) Martinelli has a unique and effective game. The 6’5” lefty small forward doesn’t play very fast rather taking quality angles and using his craftiness to covert in the lane. He has an innate ability to finish in traffic using his length putting the ball up on the glass. Skilled wing who had a strong summer.   Aquan Smart (Pure Prep/Young & Reckless 17U) Smart is a prospect we were very excited to see at Battle. The Niles North product has flown a bit under the radar, but exploded this spring and summer. He has quality length and plus athleticism. Area we saw the most growth since our last eval was his passing. Can definitely see him being a combo at the next level. Didn’t show much in the way of a jump shot, but he didn’t need it as he lived in the lane whether it was acrobatic finishes or getting to the line. He made a ton of trips to the charity stripe. Elite burst off the bounce. Quality defender of both back court spots. He was a monster for Young & Reckless playing with them in the finals!   Connor Kochera (Fundamental U 17U) Kochera is one of the hottest names on the recruiting trail after his play with Fundamental U and with his high school team. Plus three point shooter that can also score effectively off the dribble. Worked well as a screener taking advantage of mismatches in 1-3 ball screens. Rangy scorer that elevated his stock this summer!   Sincere Callwood (ET21 Buckeyes 17U) Callwood joined the Buckeyes and made an impression with his new team. Callwood is a physical and power post player. Also mixes in fluid hook shots along with a sweet pick/roll finish on occassion. Rebounds well in his area. Tough post defender who really competes on that end.   John Poulakidas (Young & Reckless 16U) We mainly focused on 17U at Battle at the Lakes, but this Neuqua Valley standout put up the single most prolific performance of the week scoring 32 points in the quarters absolutely carrying his team to a victory with a lot of their team sick or hurt. The long and lanky lefty scored so efficiently from all three levels. Big time three point shooter who hit five in the game. Also displayed skilled drives and runners. Such a slick and effortless scorer!   Elijah Watson (Young & Reckless 17U) This TF South combo forward had an excellent weekend at Battle. Good length and he used that getting on the glass with a quick second jump for put backs. The bouncy forward also won off the dribble slashing and finishing well at the rim.   CJ Nwosu (Full Package 17U) Nwosu continues to raise his stock each and every event he plays in. The Von Steuben wing plays really hard every time out. He is also very productive with the way he gets to the rim with aggressive drives and has a streaky three point shot.   Justin Cross (Team Rose 17U) Cross is an OPRF product that has always been a prospect because of his size and length, but wasn’t ever overly productive. Liked what he did a lot for Team Rose at Battle at the Lakes. Rebounded very well in traffic snatching rebounds out of the air. Also used his length defensively getting in passing lanes and swatting shots.   Jo Green (Team RWA 17U) Green is one of the best on ball defenders in the class. The Marian Catholic point guard is a scrappy defender that gets under his opponents skin and gets steals. Love the tenacity he brings on that end of the floor. Offensively he proved to be a solid driver getting to the rim for layups.   Rron Thaci (Big 3 Basketball 17U) Thaci is a plus shooter from Jones High School. He showed off again with Big 3, but what might have been more noteworthy was the way he put the ball on the deck for this squad. Handles have gotten tighter which opens up more avenues for the small forward with strength to score.   Julius Rollins (Young & Reckless 16U) Rollins was pretty all summer for his team. Long and angular combo forward from Hillcrest who is intriguing to D1 schools. Runs the floor, rebounds, defends the 2-4 spots, and can hit an occasional jumper. If that shot becomes more consistent this athletic forward could see his recruitment take off!   Marcus Skeete (HIT 17U) Skeete has had quite a spring and summer for Hoops Intensity Training. The wing has slimmed down and become a go to scorer on the perimeter. He was dynamic creating his own shot especially on pull up jumpers. In one game in Indy he was unguardable with his pull up jump shot drilling them all over the floor with smooth elevation. Tough kid that has improved as a passer as well. He is still at his best bullying his way to the hoop for scores.   Grant Johnson (HIT 16U) Johnson learned a lot from Naperville North post Tom Welch and he showed it on the PHC. The next star from that school is similar in many respects to the last. Face up four man who can really shoot it with a feathery touch from deep. Over and over it was “SWISH” from three. Brings toughness on the glass rebounding well in traffic and is a decent athlete.   Jaehshon Thomas (Young & Reckless 16U) What you have to like about this Whitney Young guards game is the strength he brings and his burst to the hoop. Scoring point guard who gets to the rim with force. Capable shooter from three and is a sound passer when he is looking to set others up. Showing he is a complete player!   Jhei-R Jones (Illinois T-Wolves 16U) Jones went off on the first night of Havoc for his T-Wolves squad. The Lincoln Way East point guard is small, but has compact strength. He was slick getting to the rim over and over for layups. Burst with the ball in his hands and attacks with reckless abandon. Finds the crease in the defense and hits it like a running back.   Myriece Byrd (Peoria Area Elite 17U) Byrd was an excellent complimenting piece to Pee Wee Brown all spring and summer for the top seed entering the finals. He is a quick guard that does a nice job of getting everyone involved with his passing while still being an impact scorer. He knocked down jumpers consistently while also pushing in the open floor.   Emaryon Byrd (Peoria Area Elite 17U) Byrd is a 6’4” 2021 shooting guard with fluid athleticism at his size. Flashed scoring potential, but most of it is still upside at this point. Rebounds well for a wing. Really looking forward to how he develops over the next year.