Show Me Showdown: Illinois Wings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past weekend the Prep Hoops Show Me Showdown took place in St. Louis.&nbsp; This is annually one of the best PHC stops for Midwest teams.&nbsp; We dive into a look at the wings from Illinois that made an impression on us.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1766471' first='Arlandis' last='Brown'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown got off to a bit of a slow start in their first game on Saturday, but then lit it up later that night ripping off 19 points against Team Ramey.&nbsp; The East St. Louis wing is a plus shot maker from beyond the arc with a feathery stroke especially off the catch, but also made a sick step back three in that game as well.&nbsp; The athleticism shines on both ends as he had a stretch where he took over defensively blocking shots and locking down.&nbsp; Can post up wings and score in the open floor above the rim.&nbsp; Has low-major potential!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1568153' first='Sam' last='Donald'] (Gateway 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Donald was one of the top prospects from the state of Illinois at the event over the weekend.&nbsp; We saw all three of their games.&nbsp; It was his first outing that was most impressive as the skilled three man notched 16 points showing off his versatile offensive skill set.&nbsp; He has a clean looking shooting stroke from both beyond the arc and was especially effective pulling up in the 15-18 feet range.&nbsp; Showed improved handles winning off the bounce including a fantastic right handed rip for a straight line take.&nbsp; Rebounds well from his wing spot and we saw a lot of improvement as a secondary passer with crisp dishes and outlets throughout the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545145' first='Lyncoln' last='Koester'] (Team Ramey 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Mt. Zion shooting guard is coming off a big season helping lead his team to the state final four.&nbsp; Known mostly as a shooter, for the first game and a half we caught it was his crafty finishing game that was on display.&nbsp; He is a strong guard that has solid handles and can finish through contact at the rim with solid burst.&nbsp; Then in the second half against Gateway he unleashed his shot making which blew the game open.&nbsp; He made three after three including several from really deep.&nbsp; Gave his team the momentum to record the big win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1874752' first='Kenaz' last='Jackson'] (1 Dream 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Kankakee 6'3” 2026 was playing up on the 17U level for 1 Dream.&nbsp; He has the prospect look with a long and lanky frame that should allow him to grow another inch or two.&nbsp; This skill that carried him was his feathery jumper which was flowing over and over against in the mid-range.&nbsp; Hit them one after another including four in a short time span.&nbsp; Definitely will see his name in our 2026 rankings update in June!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1404855' first='Nathaniel' last='Smith'] (Illinois Orange 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith had a bit of an up and down weekend.&nbsp; The Belleville East wing has the physical tools and athleticism to be a really good player at the small college or JUCO level.&nbsp; The jumper was not falling over the weekend for him.&nbsp; Still managed to get points in the paint with his athleticism scoring on floaters, runners, and cuts off the ball.&nbsp; Would like to see him be more aggressive as he is the best prospect on his team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1548328' first='Chandler' last='Mueller'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] Waters 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mueller is a tough as nails shooting guard from Trenton Wesclin that is an under the radar small school gem from the 618!&nbsp; Plus shot maker from beyond the arc that can create his own shot or hit off the catch.&nbsp; Plays with a high-motor and also is a scrappy defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2389565' first='Riley' last=''] Wallace (Illinois Mavericks 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This unsigned senior from Marshall is a shooting guard with strength who is a solid shot maker from three and has some passing feel with potential as a combo guard at the small school level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cayden Nichols (Illinois Mavericks 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nichols opened our eyes with a strong performance for the Mavericks.&nbsp; The unsigned senior wing from Newton has size and strength on the perimeter.&nbsp; Burst off the bounce finishing well in traffic on drives and out of the dunker spot.&nbsp; Flashed as a shooter.&nbsp; Good D3 player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598764' first='Noah' last='Taylor'] (Illinois Mavericks 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor is a two guard that caught our attention with how hard he played.&nbsp; Runs the floor hard, scores in transition, and was crafty around the rim as a finisher.&nbsp; Got on the offensive glass from his guard spot and was efficient with his touches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2408003' first='Braden' last='Phillips'] (Illinois Mavericks 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Arcola 2025 wing is a good scorer around the hoop with nifty layups, rim running, and finishing out of the dunker spot on quick passes inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lawson Bynum (Team Ramey 16U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bynum was a new name that popped on our radar this weekend.&nbsp; The East St. Louis wing is the latest Bynum from the Flyers that looks the part!&nbsp; He is a physically gifted thick bodied 6'6” wing that is a very good rebounder.&nbsp; Shoots it pretty well from the perimeter as a shot maker, but does seem to settle for it as he has the strength to finish through contact at the rim.&nbsp; Chance to be an above average defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323319' first='Colton' last='Hawkins'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] 16U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hawkins is having a nice spring as the Carterville shooting guard is a plus shooter that can hit them off the catch, move, and even creating on his own from distance.&nbsp; Over the weekend he also showed improved handles and athleticism scoring off the bounce along with getting to the free throw line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2422531' first='Devin' last='Meier'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] 16U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meier emerged at the Pure Sweat Camp and has been on fire ever since!&nbsp; The Centralia shooting guard is a plus shot maker from three that lights up the nets from distance.&nbsp; In their Sunday morning contest he made four of them with an effortless stroke letting it fly with ease.&nbsp; He is also an underrated passer that can move without the ball scoring on cuts and in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>William Liddell (Illinois Orange 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liddell is a physical wing at Belleville West that is the cousin of former Maroons star EJ Liddell.&nbsp; He was the most productive player for the Illinois Orange squad in the game we caught.&nbsp; High-motor and physical presence especially on the interior getting to the line and scoring in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->