2027 Watch List: PGs/Combos to Track

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Illinois released our first look at the 2027 class with our Watch List.&nbsp; It is EXTREMELY EARLY in the process.&nbsp; Some players are playing major varsity minutes, some barely play, and others are on the sophomore team.&nbsp; These are prospects that we have come across in the last year that have caught our eye who are worth monitoring going forward.&nbsp; Here is our <strong>Watch List 2027 Point Guard Prospects</strong> in ALPHABETICAL ORDER.&nbsp; This is not a ranking!&nbsp; Got it?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125612' first='Devin' last='Cleveland'] (Kenwood)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cleveland is definitely one of the top prospects in this class and a contender for the top spot overall.&nbsp; The Kenwood guard has actually become his team's best player which is crazy considering how much talent they have.&nbsp; He can handle the ball on a big stage for a freshman.&nbsp; Plus shot maker from deep. &nbsp;Cleveland has an excellent floater game that is one of his forte's.&nbsp; Continues to show progress as a distributer racking up several assists a game.&nbsp; Cleveland is trending toward being a high-major guard already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] (Warren)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davis is a lefty that has been an absolute superstar from day one.&nbsp; We knew he would be seeing him drop 40+ in a 17U grassroots game last spring while he was still in grammar school.&nbsp; He is such a dynamic player and has a lot of Jalen Brunson in his game.&nbsp; Flame thrower with his jumper that is lethal off the catch or pulling up from anywhere on the floor.&nbsp; He just had an advanced feel for the game despite being a freshman.&nbsp; Led his team to the Proviso West Holiday title winning MVP.&nbsp; He elevates the play of everyone around him at such a young age.&nbsp; Serious contender for top spot in this class and is a bonafide high-major player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323592' first='Cole' last='Dubois'] (East Peoria)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dubois impressed us in a game early in the season.&nbsp; He is a tough lead guard that plays with a lot of confidence for a young player.&nbsp; Crisp ball handler and creative passer.&nbsp; Nice soft touch finishing game and has a good mid-range shot.&nbsp; Could be one of the better floor generals in central Illinois in this class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323597' first='Kareem' last='Esily'] (Kindi Academy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'8” point guard from a school we never heard of made noise at Pangos camp with his tenacity for playing defense on the ball and getting after it.&nbsp; Shifty ball handler that is an adept finisher despite his size in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323599' first='Jamarri' last='Fears'] (Joliet West)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The youngest Fears brother is playing on the sophomore team for Joliet West, but we saw flashes of what he can be at Pangos in the fall.&nbsp; The southpaw has a slick handle and is a creative finisher in the paint.&nbsp; Physically looks eerily similar to Jeremiah at the same age.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323606' first='Asa' last='Harris'] (Homewood Flossmoor)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris popped on our radar at the Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase.&nbsp; Good shooter hitting shots from both two and three.&nbsp; Knack already for how to his floaters over taller opponents.&nbsp; Aggressive defender at the point of attack that can create turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323611' first='Jerrance' last='Howard'] (Carbondale)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howard is the son of former Illini player and current SIU-Carbondale assistant [player_tooltip player_id='2323611' first='Jerrance' last='Howard'].&nbsp; The 5'9” floor general starts for Carbondale and when we have seen him has shown good pace and playmaking from his lead guard spot along with potential as a shooter from deep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323613' first='Demarco' last='King'] (King)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>King who ironically enough plays for King High School was a breakout player over the holidays at the Julian Tournament.&nbsp; Savvy guard that is a really good jump shooter from all over the floor.&nbsp; Effortless ball handler working well around screens and is an adept passer finding his teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125641' first='Jamier' last='Montgomery'] (Crane)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montgomery was another prospect that caught our attention at the Prep Hoops Freshman Camps.&nbsp; Elite level ball handler that crosses defenders and creates space to get his shot off.&nbsp; Good shot maker that can also really pass the rock with a good early feel for how to run a team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323617' first='Markese' last='Peoples'] (St. Laurence)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peoples burst on the scene over the summer playing up on the 15U level with the [program_tooltip program_id='2075383' first='Chicago' last='Demons'].&nbsp; Strong bodied combo guard that has a good basketball IQ with his passing feel.&nbsp; With his strong frame he can finish in the paint through big men.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125677' first='Reggie' last='Stevens'] (St. Laurence)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saw Stevens over the summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2076904' first='Chicago' last='Hoops'], this fall at the Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase, and then as a bench player during the high school season for St. Laurence.&nbsp; He is a 6'1” combo that has a strong and athletic frame.&nbsp; Smooth shooting stroke especially off the catch from distance.&nbsp; Wins off the dribble getting to the cup on straight line takes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323672' first='Amari' last='Winters'] (Rich Township)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winters shined at Pangos camp as a smaller guard at 5'8” with his burst.&nbsp; Good pushing it in transition where he often takes it the whole way for acrobatic finishes.&nbsp; Has range to beyond three on his shot and is a tenacious defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323675' first='Michael' last='Woods'] (St. Francis De Sales)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woods has broke out in a major way during the first half of the high school season creating major buzz.&nbsp; High level scoring guard as a freshman that can get buckets from all three levels.&nbsp; Plus three point shooter and just has a knack for getting where he wants on the floor to get his shot whether it be a jumper or at the rim.&nbsp; Plays with excellent pace being able to change gears and is a good ball mover on the perimeter dishing off to teammates.&nbsp; Isn't fazed by pressure defense.&nbsp; Trending as one of the better guards in this class early in the process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->