Memphis EYBL: Illinois 17U Prospects
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Prep Hoops Illinois covered the Nike EYBL in Memphis over the weekend. Here we dive into how the individual 17U prospects from Illinois faired over the weekend. Tristian Ford Tristian Ford 6'2" | PG Chi-Prep | 2025 State #158 Nation…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Illinois covered the Nike EYBL in Memphis over the weekend. Here we dive into how the individual 17U prospects from Illinois faired over the weekend.
Tristian Ford Tristian Ford 6'2" | PG Chi-Prep | 2025 State #158 Nation IL (Brad Beal Elite)
Ford is a slick lead guard out of Chi-Prep that can handle the rock. What first jumped out about what he did over the weekend was getting steals. He often got steals and turned them into points on the other end. Will take a risk at times and lose, but often goes the other way for a touchdown. Such active hands. Smooth ball handler that can win off the bounce and is a smooth shot maker. Made a massive play late in one game creating a turnover and then banging in a three to send the game to double OT. Averaged 8.3 points per game on the weekend.
Mike Jones Mike Jones 6'7" | PF Chi-Prep | 2025 State #164 Nation IL (Brad Beal Elite)
Jones is a strong and athletic undersized post from Chi-Prep that rebounds well. In his first EYBL game with Brad Beal Elite on Friday night against Team Thad Jones went for 12 points. In the games we watched he wasn’t as effective, struggling to score other than getting on the offensive glass for tip ins. Potential as a post defender against fours.
Antonio Munoz Antonio Munoz 6'6" | SF Whitney Young | 2025 State #194 Nation IL ( Meanstreets ‘ last=”])
Munoz displayed kind of what we believe him to be at this point over the weekend. Elite level athlete out of Whitney Young that plays above the rim, has a good motor, and makes plays in the open floor. Explosive around the hoop on cuts and will hit a step back three. Trending toward being a glue guy at the next level that will be a high-motor, athletic, transition athlete, and wing defender.
Arden Eaves Arden Eaves 6'5" | SF Thornwood | 2025 State IL ( Meanstreets ‘ last=”])
Eaves brings good size on the perimeter along with a strong frame. Over the weekend the Thornwood wing was at his best knocking down shots off the catch. In their game against CP3 on Saturday he looked comfortable draining a pair of them along with scoring on a cut to the hoop.
EJ Horton EJ Horton 6'2" | PG Phillips | 2025 State IL ( Meanstreets ‘ last=”])
Horton had a breakout junior season and is now the starting PG for Meanstreets ‘ last=”]. The Phillips guard has a strong frame with crisp handles and burst with the ball in his hands. Likes to get in the lane making plays for himself on runners/floaters along with kicking to teammates for shots. Speed in the open floor, looks ahead on passes, and had a nasty tomahawk jam in the finale on Sunday.
Bryce Heard Bryce Heard 6'6" | SG Homewood Flossmoor | 2025 State #86 Nation IL (Mac Irvin Fire)
Solid weekend for Heard who is coming off a state championship this season with Homewood Flossmoor. The top ranked 2025 in Illinois put together games of 17 points on Friday, 9 points on Saturday, and 13 points on Sunday in the game we saw against LivOn. Came out aggressive hunting his shot. He is one of two primary scorers on his team. Crisp mid-range jumpers, strong baseline takes, and got to the foul line. The jumper continues to make strides especially in the 15-18 foot range. He looks like he belongs out there with the best players in the country averaging 13 points a game on the weekend.
Aleks Alston Aleks Alston 6'9" | PF Kenwood | 2025 State #170 Nation IL (MoKan)
Right behind Heard in the rankings is Alston as the Kenwood power forward has made the move to MoKan for his final year on the circuit. He played quite a bit of minutes for the EYBL power and did a really nice job on the glass throughout the weekend. The face up four man grabbed 8 rebounds vs LivOn Friday and followed that up with 10 more against Team Durant Saturday. The scoring production wasn’t there as he notched just 4 points total all weekend. Good to see him rebound so well though on a big stage.
Phoenix Gill
Phoenix
Gill
6'3" | SG
St. Ignatius | 2025
State
#72
Nation
IL
(MoKan)
The state’s #3 2025 prospect is Gill. This St. Ignatius product hasn’t played on the grassroots circuit before so this was a big first step for him. Eased his way in on Friday night coming off the bench scoring 6 points against LivOn. Followed that up with a nice outing against Team Durant on Saturday where he had 13 points looking more comfortable. Smooth two guard that plays the game the right way and will be a good secondary scoring option at the high-major level.