Highland Shootout: Top Illinois 2023 Performers
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Prep Hoops Illinois was at the Highland Shootout over the weekend. The one day basketball extravaganza featured many of the top teams and players in the state of Illinois. Here are some of the best seniors in Highland Shootout: Top…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Illinois was at the Highland Shootout over the weekend. The one day basketball extravaganza featured many of the top teams and players in the state of Illinois. Here are some of the best seniors in Highland Shootout: Top Illinois 2023 Performers!
Alex Connoyer (Quincy Notre Dame)
Liked what we saw from this four man from Quincy Notre Dame. Connoyer was clearly QND’s go to player in their contest against Highland. He was effective posting up on seals and finishing on slashes when facing up converting several and-1s. Very efficient player as he scored 17 points (8-12 FG) and grabbed 6 rebounds.
Darrion Baker Darrion Baker 6'8" | PF St Rita | 2023 State #227 Nation IL (Hillcrest)
The top 10 prospect from Hillcrest was a bit slow to start but then got it rolling. The Akron signee is such a physical and athletic post at the next level. He finished through contact for several and-1s, ran the floor, and passed it very well from the mid-post. Line read 17 points (7-14 FG), 5 rebounds, and 3 steals.
Bryce Tillery Bryce Tillery 5'7" | PG Hillcrest | 2023 State IL (Hillcrest)
This unsigned point guard is having an outstanding senior campaign. He is a lethal pull up jump shooter from both two and three. He went 4-8 from distance in their game against Belleville East. Solid passer that finds his big men in positions to succeed. Quickness off the bounce getting in the crease of the defense as he finished with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
Jordan Pickett Jordan Pickett 6'1" | SG Belleville East | 2023 State IL (Belleville East)
SIU-Edwardsville signee shot it as well as we have seen him going 4-8 from beyond the arc in the win. Strong combo guard that isn’t a true one or two but rather a scoring guard that can flash as a passer but also turn it over at times. Also liked how he was willing to take it to the rack for trips to the line. He had 20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 7 turnovers.
Antwine Wilson (Belleville East)
Wilson is a major sleeper out of the metro east. The 6’4” small forward didn’t shoot it well from distance, but made his money finishing downhill and getting to the charity stripe where he went 7-8 in a 15 point outing while also grabbing 6 boards. Small colleges and JUCOs get on him!
Macaleab Rich Macaleab Rich 6'5" | SF East St. Louis | 2023 State #261 Nation IL (East St. Louis)
Rich was a grown man for East St. Louis. The Kansas State signee was relentless attacking the rim for scores on slashes banking in short runners on the regular. He used his power and improved handles to break down defenders. Also hit a couple threes and showed improved passing that we hadn’t previously seen. This will open up even more with his elite athleticism and strength. Rich had 22 points (9-21 FG), 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 turnovers.
Zack Hawkinson Zack Hawkinson 6'4" | PF Sacred Heart Griffin | 2023 State IL (Sacred Heart Griffin)
This Springfield product is putting up absolutely absurd numbers on the season after leading his team to the 3A title last year. The undersized four man was an unstoppable force in a 33 point (9-16 FG), 17 rebound, and 3 assist game. He scored at will on the interior with and-1s one after another getting to the line for 13-15 from the charity stripe. Combination of skill, quickness, strength, and unrelenting motor make him an elite priority at the D2 level! Hawkinson is also putting himself in the player of the year conversation.
Jake Hamilton Jake Hamilton 6'3" | SG Sacred Heart Griffin | 2023 State IL (Sacred Heart Griffin)
Hamilton is headed to Quincy and they are getting a good one. The lefty is a gritty and skilled wing that can knock down spot up threes while still finishing well on the interior. He has a great spin move off the bounce scoring in the lane through traffic while having a knack for getting to the foul line. Went for 22 points (6-11 FG) (8-10 FT) and 3 blocks.
Miles Rubin Miles Rubin 6'7" | PF Homewood Flossmoor | 2023 State #243 Nation IL (Simeon)
Rubin is a wiry power forward headed to Loyola next season. He was a force on the interior for the Wolverines on both ends finishing out of the dunker spot, hitting the offensive glass, and protecting the rim on the defensive end. Won MVP honors of their win over Imhotep by netting 14 points (7-9 FG), 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
Wesley Rubin Wesley Rubin 6'7" | PF Homewood Flossmoor | 2023 State IL (Simeon)
Rubin is a skilled post that is going to see a jump in our next update because in addition to continuing to progress offensively he has made strides as a defender. Has a knack for getting steals as a big man along with being a much-improved post defender. The Northern Iowa commit had a top 5 Kentucky commit in foul trouble and shaking with his skilled offensive game which included feathery mid-range jumpers, turnarounds, and dunks in transition. He had 13 points (6-9 FG), 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 3 steals.
Sam Lewis Sam Lewis 6'5" | SF Oak Park River Forest | 2023 State IL (Simeon)
Good outing from the Toledo signee. Lewis did a nice job defensively guarding Justin Edwards making him work all game long. Also offensively he was good with his floater game, got on the offensive glass, and hit a three in a 12 point and 5 rebound performance.
Jalen Griffith Jalen Griffith 5'9" | PG Simeon | 2023 State IL (Simeon)
Top uncommitted guard in the state showed for the second night in a row that low-majors are missing out. He is a wizard with the ball in his hands throwing great passes and shaking defenders off the bounce on the regular. Plus shooter pulling up from two and three. He had 11 points, 4 dimes, and 5 turnovers.
Owen Freeman Owen Freeman 6'10" | C Moline | 2023 State #179 Nation IL (Moline)
Freeman is a five man that is an excellent get for the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Moline post consistently produces game in and game out. He finishes well out of the dunker spot, has mobility in the pick/roll game, and rebounds very well in traffic with two hands. It was a big time performance against Vashon going for 24 points (8-14 FG) (7-9 FT), 14 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals in the win.
Brock Harding Brock Harding 6'0" | PG Moline | 2023 State #222 Nation IL (Moline)
Harding is headed to Iowa as their future point guard. Heady floor general with shifty moves off the bounce. He shakes defenders on the regular with his game off the bounce throwing bullet passes and playing with a lot of flair. It wasn’t his best shooting night going 0-5 from three, but he still managed 9 points, 5 dimes, and 5 steals in the win. Turned it over quite a bit with 8 turnovers.