Crossover Series

In our Crossover Series we take a look at what is going on with both boys and girls hoops across the state of Illinois diving into a variety of topics. Here Prep Hoops Illinois’ Scott Burgess and Prep Girls Hoops Illinois’ Jacob Wohlwend each dive into a variety of topics including our 3 on 3 team of current players, traits scouts are looking for projecting to college, and our all-time team of players we scouted! Check it out below in the Crossover Series!   Want to “Crossover” and get more coverage on the other side. You can sign up for the other site right here! Prep Hoops Illinois Boys Basketball <a href="https://prephoops.com/product/illinois-all-access-pass">https://prephoops.com/product/illinois-all-access-pass</a> Prep Girls Hoops Illinois Basketball <a href="https://www.prepgirlshoops.com/product/illinois-all-access-pass">https://www.prepgirlshoops.com/product/illinois-all-access-pass</a>     If you were creating a three on three team to win one game who would you pick? Scott I would start with the top prospect in Illinois. Michigan State signee [player_tooltip player_id="529033" first="Max" last="Christie"] is a shot maker that can drill shots from all over the floor which are critical in a three on three game. Inside I need a mismatch guy that can do a little bit of everything. That is Whitney Young power forward AJ Casey. He can protect the rim on defense, defend on the perimeter, catch lobs, put it on the deck, hit shots, and use his size/athleticism on the block. For my point guard it is a close call, but I will go with Jalen Quinn. The Tuscola guard has the quickness to win off the dribble and is excellent in ball screen situations as a shooter as well as distributor. His creativity will work well in this setting.   Jacob I am starting my team with the best Point Guard in the state, Brianna McDaniel (Kenwood, 2022). McDaniel is a strong athlete with good speed and power who scores at a high level from anywhere and facilitates the ball as well as anyone. Next, I will take another big-time scorer in Greta Kampschroeder (Naperville North, 2021). The Oregon State signee is one of the top players in the nation, possessing a knock-down jumper from outside and good length and skill to score at-will in the paint. Lastly, I’m adding Aneesah Morrow (Simeon, 2021). Morrow, a DePaul commit, has a great combination of strength and athleticism that she uses to dominate on the low block, while also being able to score off the dribble from the perimeter.     As a scout what are the biggest traits you look for in a prospect projecting them toward the college level? Scott It depends on the stage they are in of their development. The younger the prospect is the more it is about the upside when looking at size, length, and ceiling. You can dream what that prospect could be down the line. I think as they get older production starts to become more important. Especially going into their junior year. The size for position and athleticism are still very important to their projected college level. One aspect I continue to put more value on in today’s game is shot making from all positions. The saying “If you can’t shoot you can’t play” is really becoming more and more true every year. Also defending your position and be able to switch onto multiple positions.   Jacob As Scott mentioned, shooting is a trait that can be identified at a young age and is extremely valuable at all levels. For upperclassmen prospects, I also look for size, length, and efficiency. By Junior/Senior year, you have a general idea how tall a player will be so you can determine where they project based off that height and current skill set. Also, by that age, you want prospects to have the fundamentals down and limit turnovers. For younger prospects, I like to look for athleticism and motor. Teaching players how to shoot, dribble, or pass is typically much easier than teaching them how to be athletic. If a player is a natural athlete, you have a good foundation to build off of. If you were creating a team of the best players you ever scouted from the state of Illinois who would make your roster?   Scott Starters PG – Jalen Brunson (Stevenson – Villanova) SG – Jordan Goodwin (Belleville Althoff – St. Louis) SF – Jabari Parker (Simeon – Duke) PF – Anthony Davis (Perspectives – Kentucky) C – Jahlil Okafor (Whitney Young – Duke)   Bench G – Ayo Dosunmu (Morgan Park – Illinois) G – [player_tooltip player_id="528833" first="DJ" last="Steward"] (Whitney Young – Duke) G – [player_tooltip player_id="817665" first="Adam" last="Miller"] (Morgan Park – Illinois) SG - Zack Norvell (Simeon – Gonzaga) SF – Talen Horton-Tucker (Simeon – Iowa State) SF – Malcolm Hill (Belleville East – Illinois) PF – EJ Liddell (Belleville West – Ohio State) C – Cliff Alexander (Curie – Kansas)     Jacob Starters PG – Brianna McDaniel (Kenwood - Uncommitted) SG – Greta Kampschroeder (Naperville North – Oregon State) SF – Brea Beal (Rock Island – South Carolina) PF – Aneesah Morrow (Simeon – DePaul) C - Angela Dugalic (Maine West - Oregon)   BENCH SG – Jordan King (Hononegah - Marquette) CG – Anaya Peoples (Schlarman – Notre Dame) SF – Halle Douglass (Lake Forest - Wisconsin) SG – Darrione Rogers (Lake Park - DePaul) PG – Kayla Green (Whitney Young – Texas A&M) PG – Timia Ware (Whitney Young - LSU) SG – Sydney Affolter (Marist - Iowa) SF – Grace Hall (Homewood-Flossmoor - LSU)