Spartz Showcase: 2020 Evaluations

Scott Burgess October 19, 2019 @ 06:00 AM

The Christopher Spartz Fall Showcase has been an annual must stop for PrepHoopsIllinois! This event has seen prospects emerge and take their games to another level each year. Here we break down the senior prospects in Spartz Fall Showcase: 2020 Evaluations!   PF Elijah Watson (TF South – 2020) Watson was very good at the Spartz Showcase. This combo forward showed what he can do as a face up four. The 6’7” forward has tightened up his handles considerably as he beat wings and bigs off the bounce consistently all night. Even put combination and spin moves on opponents for scores. He finished well on dump off passes and scored in transition running the floor hard. Rim runner in the open floor. Defensively he blocked shots including an impressive recovery swat. Hit the glass for second chance points with his quickness.   C Johnathan Oden (Legal Prep – 2020) At 6’7” Oden has continued to elevate his stock after a strong spring and summer with the Chicago Demons. He is a high level area rebounder that completely dominated the glass all night long. It was unfair at times against some of the smaller opponents how much Oden was punishing them on the glass getting second and third chances with ease. Threw home several monster flushes off put backs and dump off passes. Defensively he blocked shots at a high rate and I like how he moved laterally defending in ball screen situations.   PG Josiah Palmer (Homewood Flossmoor – 2020) Palmer can flat out go! This athletic point guard plays bigger than his height with his length. In an up and down setting he impressed with what he did on the defensive end. Palmer sat down and was a pest at the point of attack. He was one of the best defensive players at the event regularly getting steals and taking them the other way for points. Offensively he was most effective shooting it from three drilling an array of pull ups and wing threes.   PG Cristian Young (Joliet Catholic – 2020) This point guard was a sound perimeter shooter knocking down several threes from really deep. Also passed well in the lane with a couple of dump off passes for scores.   PG Brandon Brewer (Homewood Flossmoor – 2020) Brewer is a thick bodied lead guard at 5’8”. He plays really hard and was crafty in the lane. Pesky defender on the ball.   PG Joe Alfirevich (Providence Catholic – 2020) This Providence Catholic 6’0” point guard is a high IQ and crafty guard that makes sound decisions with the ball. Pushed it well in transition always having his head up looking to throw passes ahead to wing finishers. Drive and kick passer with feel for finding teammates. More than capable as a shooter as he knocked down multiple threes.   SG Tagen Pearson (Nazareth – 2020) Pearson is a productive and crafty wing that just knows how to get things done. Well-rounded wing that can pass, shoot, and score in the lane on drives. Pearson is primed for a huge senior season at Nazareth and will be a great small college player at the next level.   SF Bryson Tatum (Urbana – 2020) This Urbana 6’4” wing can play both on and off the ball. He has elevated his stock with a strong fall at the UIC Elite Camp, PrepHoops Camp, and Spartz Fall Showcase. Very good pull up jump shooter that combines that with the ability to attack downhill using his broad shoulders. Tatum is primed to breakout as a senior.   SG Matthew Connors (Plainfield North – 2020) Connors had a nice night. The Plainfield East 6’4” wing has quality positional size and is a dead eye shooter! He drilled an array of threes both pulling up and off the catch. Also mixed in an abundance of mid-range jumpers. Crisp shooter with sound mechanics. Was impressed with how he created space to get his shot off against defenders.   SF Jalen Tucker (Oswego East – 2020) Crafty scoring two guard that has decent handles and can hit an occasional three. Played with hesitation off the bounce always having his head up looking to make a play for himself or others.