Prep Hoops Illinois Top 250: Coaches Favorites

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We had a great coaching staff at the Prep Hoops Illinois Top 250 Camp with tons of basketball experience in the high school and grassroots game. We spoke with several of them to get their thoughts on players that caught their attention at the event. Read them here in Prep Hoops Illinois Top 250: Coaches Favorites!

Nolan Gerdich Nolan Gerdich 6'4" Plainfield South | 2023 IL (Plainfield South – 2023)

Shot lights out in both games on my court. Shot it extremely well from three but can also score in the post because of his array of old school post moves.

Michael Womer Michael Womer 6'2" | SG Peoria Richwoods | 2022 State IL (Peoria Richwoods – 2022)

Shot it very well from three. Quick release. Plays with energy and was providing leadership.

Jaydin Dunlap Jaydin Dunlap 6'1" | PG Bolingbrook | 2022 State IL (Bolingbrook – 2022)

Lived in the paint all day. Uses his strength to finish at the rim. Another tough Bolingbrook guard. Another coach noted “He played with great pace throughout the day. Everything seemed to come easy. Played through contact with a handful of traffic dunks. Also shot it well from three off the bounce and made plays for his teammates often as he was the teams main creator but just simply made the right plays through the games.”

Luis Acevedo Luis Acevedo 6'3" | SG Homewood Flossmoor | 2022 State IL (Homewood Flossmoor – 2022)

A player that can do it all and does it all. His effort defensively stood out.

Demir Ashiru Demir Ashiru 6'2" | PG Plainfield North | 2023 IL (Plainfield North – 2023)

Asserted himself offensively and competed. Attack the rim off the dribble and finished as well as rebounding and making plays defensively.

Corey Nobles Corey Nobles 5'5" Plainfield South | 2024 IL (Plainfield South – 2024)

He did it all on both ends and for a freshman at his size sheesh he was good.

Ethan Marlowe Ethan Marlowe 6'8" | PF St. Charles North | 2022 State IL (St. Charles North – 2022)

Can really shoot the basketball at his size. Another coach noted “Was on fire. Scored on all 3 levels. Caused many mismatches. Nice stroke. Good at getting into the paint and hitting short jumpers.”

Nathan LaPlant Nathan LaPlant 6'6" Victor J Andrew | 2023 IL (Andrew – 2023)

The 6’4” lanky wing from Andrew was good. All-around game and finished above the rim.

Tylon Toliver Tylon Toliver 6'2" | PG Lincoln Way East | 2023 State IL (Lincoln Way East – 2023)

Tylon from Lincoln Way East did a great job. Very explosive getting to the basket.

Jelani McGregor Jelani McGregor 6'3" | SF Phillips | 2023 State IL (St. Rita – 2023)

He had a very quick first step and got other players involved and I loved his game.

Samar Bures (Rich Township – 2024) & Devin Tyda Devin Tyda 6'1" | SG Plainfield South | 2024 IL (Plainfield – 2024)

These two young guards impressed the coaching staffs they played for. Made shots consistently. It was noted that Bures played both ends hard the entire game.

Asher Jackson Asher Jackson 6'5" | SG Carmel Catholic | 2022 State IL (Carmel – 2022)

Lefty with nice size and a smooth stroke. Shot with range with ease and also some nice transition finishes. Has a nice bounce and solid handles. Was the pick of another coach that said….Dominated scoring and rebounding. Handled the ball very well for his size.

Jimmy Rasmussen Jimmy Rasmussen 6'1" | SG Geneva | 2023 IL (Geneva – 2023)

Agile big who shot it well from 15 feet. Rebounded in traffic and some nice post finishes. Also played well on the defensive end. Jumped second on shots and used his length to bother opponents. Kicked the ball very well out of double teams.

Joshua Ellison Joshua Ellison 6'1" | PG Marist | 2022 IL (Lincoln Way East – 2022)

Ellison shot it very well from three in the game that I coached. A different coach also mentioned him saying he used his strength to get to the basket and knocked down shots from outside. Had a couple nice pull ups. Couple nice passes on the break.

Devon Gram Devon Gram 5'10" Legal Prep Charter | 2022 IL (Legal Prep – 2022)

He was a menace on defense and had quick hands. Has great quickness and is a strong leaper. Needs to be more of a facilitator and make better reads to create for others.

Jackson Niego Jackson Niego 6'0" | PG Lyons | 2023 State IL (Lyons – 2022)

He was the best shooter I saw all day. Great looking stroke. Quick release. Hit 8 3s in the last game of the day with at least four contested. Also a heady ball handler who played well and made right decisions.

Terrance Jones (Longwood – 2022)

A really good two way guard that I watched. He could get his own shot when he wanted but was unselfish. Played with an undersized team who shot lights out and put up 96 points against much bigger and athletic opponent. He was the key on both sides. He did everything from pressuring guards, picking up full court, rebounding, finishing, kicking off ball screens. He made extra passes and efforts to get the ball to whomever hit their last shots. Played with a high IQ.

Shane Tarjan Shane Tarjan 6'2" Loyola Academy | 2022 IL (Loyola – 2022)

Sneaky athletic. Got to the rim and finished. Hit some threes as well. Team player.

DeAndre Craig DeAndre Craig 5'11" | PG Mt. Carmel | 2023 State IL (Mt. Carmel – 2023)

True point guard. Was dominant scoring at will. Very tough on ball defender.

Nolan Sexton Nolan Sexton 5'11" Evergreen Park | 2024 IL (Evergreen Park – 2024)

Held his own against the more higher profile guards. Knocked down shots from deep.

Adidas Davis Adidas Davis 6'5" | PF Buffalo Grove | 2022 State IL (Buffalo Grove – 2022)

Low-major/D2 talented guard. Shot the ball at a decent rate. Good defender. Long and athletics. Has a great potential to become a fine college basketball player.

Jimmy Rasmussen Jimmy Rasmussen 6'1" | SG Geneva | 2023 IL (Geneva – 2023)