Class of 2021: New Names

We watched a ton of film this spring from the high school season which resulted in quite a few new names emerging in the class of 2021 on our radar! Check out our Class of 2021: New Names for a few of the top ones!   [player_tooltip player_id="995969" first="Bennie" last="Slater"] (Springfield) Debut Ranking: #30 He has excellent size for the small forward position at 6’5” with long arms and a lanky build. Slater is very effective working in the high-post where he can be utilized in a number of areas. He is a quality mid-range shooter that connects from 15-18 feet at a high clip. Only hit one three in the two games we watched. Can also put it on the deck a couple dribbles for finishes at the cup. In the paint he is extremely quick both on the glass and scoring. When he gets passes inside 10 feet he does a swift move for a score. Sound and efficient footwork on the block. Very effective getting on the offensive glass for second chance points. Explosive second jump getting off the floor. The area of his game we might have come away the most impressed with was his passing. He threw bullet passes off a live dribble on multiple occasions. Hits cutters on the move. That combined with his ball handling the in the open floor allow him to bring some point-forward type tools to the table. Defensively he presents versatility guarding threes and fours. Blocked several shots and has the athleticism to be able to switch in ball screens. Contests shots on the perimeter using his length to alter shots.   [player_tooltip player_id="995970" first="Jack" last="Mielke"] (Downers Grove North) Debut Ranking: #58 Mielke is a 6’6” face up four that can really shoot the ball. He has a high release point with a quick release. In the paint he likes using hook shots banking them in off the glass. Also backs his man down from the perimeter before he scores. Crashes the offensive glass. Competes on the defensive end.   [player_tooltip player_id="995971" first="Ethan" last="Roberts"] (Hersey) Debut Ranking: #62 Shooting guard with nice size at 6’4”. He can shoot it from the perimeter with a pretty clean shot mechanically. Has a good feel of flaring and how to find open spots to get his shot off. With the ball in his hands he is crafty in the lane using an effective slow spin that he creates space on his defender to finish. Average athlete. He flashed some creativity as a passer and being able to play on the ball at times.   [player_tooltip player_id="995972" first="Damian" last="Zivak"] (Barrington) Debut Ranking: #63 Zivak is a combo guard that played both on and off the ball. Was comfortable as a distributor that can get others involved with his passing in the half court. He is just an average athlete, but brings toughness and the ability to finish through contact below the rim. Sound mid-range game that can stretch out to three spotting up at times.   [player_tooltip player_id="995973" first="Robert" last="Roszkiewicz"] (Addison Trail) Debut Ranking: #65 Came away impressed with the film of this 6’7” power forward. Good length and is very bouncy around the hoop. Quick and assertive post moves showing the willingness to go through his defender. Can put it on the deck a little and stretches the floor with his spot up shooting. Also breaks the zone from the mid-post with his turn around shot.   [player_tooltip player_id="995974" first="Tyvin" last="Garrison"] (Springfield) Debut Ranking: #71 Garrison is a mobile 6’5” power forward that brings athleticism and length to the table. Thin frame that he will need to continue to add strength on. Bouncy around the hoop using his quickness to finish dump off passes and make quick moves. Loves to utilize the glass banking in short shots. One area that opened our eyes was knocking down threes. We hadn’t previously seen that. It was a slow, but fluid release. Will elevate game if he can do that on the big stage.   [player_tooltip player_id="995975" first="Aryton" last="Temcio"] (Glenbard South) Debut Ranking: #83 The 6’3” shooting guard has nice size and length on the perimeter. His mid-range game from 15-18 feet is feathery! Lightning quick release on spot up threes. Uses body positioning well around the hoop and has an old school back down game. Solid athlete that uses length to contest shots on the perimeter.   [player_tooltip player_id="995978" first="JT" last="Welch"] (Bloomington Central Catholic) Debut Ranking: #123 He stands at 5’10”. This flashy point guard plays with a lot of flair. He has shifty handles and won off the dribble getting in the lane for acrobatic scoop shots in the lane. Decent three point shooter. Creative passer that is also a pesky defender at the point.