Rumble Up North: 2021 Illinois Stock Risers

It was quite a weekend of hoops in Minnesota at the Rumble Up North Tournament.  There were high profile teams and prospects from around the country in the house.  We will focus on the Illinois prospects.  Here is our Rumble Up North: 2021 Illinois Stock Risers!

Grant Johnson Grant Johnson 6'5" | PF Naperville North | 2021 State IL (HIT)

It was a nice weekend for the Naperville North power forward.  When we were watching he shot it well from the perimeter which is where his value is at the next level as a stretch four.  Connected on an array of threes off the catch.

Tyler Van Eekeren Tyler Van Eekeren 6'5" | SF Benet | 2021 State IL (HIT)

TVE continues to see his stock steadily rise putting one good weekend on top of another.  He put it on the floor pretty consistently for scores, showed off his toughness, and drilled mid-range jumpers.  Does the little things well.

Jakobi Heady Jakobi Heady 6'8" | SF Hillcrest | 2021 State IL (Young & Reckless)

Heady shined a week ago with God’s Gift and this weekend he did the exact same with Y&R.  Projectable wing with size, length, and athleticism.  He shot it well once again from beyond the arc particularly from the corners.  He has a slow and low release on it, but once he cleans that up he should be good to go.  Monster in transition with his long strides and the way he maneuvers at the rim. 

Ty Johnson Ty Johnson 6'3" | PG Depaul Prep | 2021 State #198 Nation IL (Illinois Hoopstars)

Johnson had a nice showing on Saturday for the Hoopstars.  The recent Loyola commit drilled three after three.  Smooth looking shot is becoming a consistent go to weapon for him.  So explosive with the ball in his hands with easy acceleration getting to the rack in transition or off the bounce in the half court.  Feel for the game in the half court is impressive.

James Dent James Dent 6'3" | SG Springfield Southeast | 2021 State IL (Illinois Hoopstars)

Dent had a solid weekend.  It wasn’t quite a spectacular as we have seen in the past, but the Springfield Southeast wing still had a quality all-around event.  Hit the three ball at a good clip when opportunities presented themselves.  Free and easy stroke from the perimeter.  He is getting better playing with the ball in his hands as a scorer.

DeMarco Clayton (Illinois Hoopstars)

Clayton is a prospect that has helium heading into the season after a strong summer.  Good size on the perimeter being able to play both on and off the ball effectively.  The slender guard is slippery slithering through the defense for drives where he finishes with athleticism at the cup.

Andrew Johnson Andrew Johnson 6'3" | SF Joliet West | 2021 State IL (Illinois T-Wolves)

Johnson did a nice job of using his strength to score in the paint.  The wing took weaker defenders down to the block for scores.  Also mixed in an array of runners and layups.  Productive wing that should find a home at the small college level as an impact two guard.

Jaiden Lee Jaiden Lee 6'4" | SG Joliet West | 2021 State IL (Illinois T-Wolves)

Lee is a long and rangy shooting guard from Joliet West that has a ton of projectability.  The wiry 6’4” wing is a plus shooter off the catch that has an effortless looking shot on the release.  Also scored several times at the basket in the game we saw.  Brings plus athleticism and major scoring pop to the table.  Has the physical tools to develop into a solid defender at the college level.