Midwest Crossroads Showcase: Central Illinois Prospects

Written by Craig Harbaugh.  Craig has been a college coach at the D1, D2, and JUCO levels.  He also worked as a scout covering high school and JUCO basketball along with being the on court operations assistant director for Nike Elite 100 Camp.   Special thanks to Ed Hafermann and Mike Sarver of Normal West HS Basketball for hosting a great shootout. Listed below are the evaluations of the prospects seen throughout the weekend in Midwest Crossroads Showdown: Central Illinois Prospects!   Chatham Glenwood   [player_tooltip player_id='2538879' first='Mason' last='Neumann'] – 6'8 – PF/C – 2025   Neumann was a new prospect that has shown some ability this spring.  This was the first look at him as he is long with a nice frame.  Appears to have a 6'10 wingspan. He plays inside and outside offensively.  Mobile and versatile as he is skilled and a good passer. He was active going to the basket off the dribble in the low block.  He showed a nice face up stroke from 15-18 feet. Intriguing prospect and one to monitor the rest of the summer and fall for his progression.   Decatur MacArthur   Sean [player_tooltip player_id='2403249' first='Lee' last=''] – SF, 2025   [player_tooltip player_id='2403249' first='Lee' last=''] is an athletic small forward who is physical off the dribble. He showed some nice tools.  He was active inside and outside as well as in transition. He attacked the basket and showed a solid mid-range jumper.  Intriguing prospect if he continues to develop perimeter shot.   El Paso-Gridley   [player_tooltip player_id='1576619' first='Jonah' last='Funk'] - 6'9, PF, 2025   Funk is an intriguing prospect with upside. He showed athleticism, skill, and that he can shoot the three.  He actually tends to float as a face up PF rather than back to the basket low-post.  He showed he can take it off the dribble for a pull up jumper and moves well as a cutter. He did move well laterally to contest shots and blocked shots. He's still developing physically.  He will garner some interest from Division I's with his size and ability.   [player_tooltip player_id='2321403' first='Micah' last='Meiss'] - 6'5, SG, 2025   Continues to impress from the high school season to now.  He has gone under the radar but is a good sized wing who is skilled and can score. Strong body with a nice pull-up game and showed he can finish at the basket. Nice stroke from 3 off the catch.   Springfield Lanphier   [player_tooltip player_id='1545135' first='Shaunassey' last='Hatchett'] – 6'4, Wing, 2025   Hatchett is a strong and high energy player with good toughness.  He is athletic and quick off the floor. Active defender who blocks shots and rebounds. Good in transition and slashing to the basket.  He needs to refine skills and extend his shooting range.  He is a prospect who may need to go JUCO to help with his development as he has a low major body & athleticism.   Jaiquan Holman – 5'11, PG, 2025   Solid PG with good quickness.  He uses ball screens effectively and can get downhill.  Showed solid pullup game. Hit threes off pullups and catch, but is streaky. Good defender. Pushes tempo.  He is a prospect that needs JUCO to refine and develop as he could be a Division I prospect.   Soriano Hayes – 6'4, SF, 2026   Hayes is an intriguing small forward prospect.  He has good size and has a body that he can add strength to aid in his development.  He showed good decision making off the dribble slashing to the basket. He did shoot the three ball but was streaky.  He is intriguing and another prospect that may need JUCO to aid in development and maturity to play at a higher level.   Peoria Manual   [player_tooltip player_id='1576114' first='Dietrich' last='Richardson'] -  6'6, PG/CG, 2025   Dietrich continues to improve and develop his game. He showed he can play point guard but is effective doing a little bit of everything on the floor. Richardson was very effective creating off the dribble as he had good body control at the basket and showed a solid mid-range pullup game. He is a very good passer and made sound decisions delivering to his teammates. He still needs to develop his 3 point stroke. Was active on the defensive end and is a good rebounder who can grab and get the ball pushed up the floor. He did get into passing lanes and block shots from weak side help. This HM prospect is on several schools' radars.   Metamora   [player_tooltip player_id='1545146' first='Matthew' last='Zobrist'] – 6'5, SG, 2025   This lefty wing continued to show his shooting ability off the catch.  He is skilled and has a good IQ. Uses screens well and showed he was solid off the dribble.  He is a deceptive athlete with a good body. He holds several MM offers.    [player_tooltip player_id='2321401' first='Ashton' last='Grieves'] - 6'2, SG/PG, 2025   Grieves showed he is very skilled and plays with energy.  He has a nice stroke on catch & shoot 3's. He moves well without the ball and has a good basketball IQ. He did show he can also run the team as the PG. Needs to get stronger to help him against stronger & quicker perimeter defenders.   [player_tooltip player_id='2474926' first='Kayden' last='Turner']-  6'1, PG/SG, 2028   He has a lanky body and will need to get stronger to continue his development.  Showed he is skilled, quality passer, and he did show a nice stroke. He was solid with a good 1-2 dribble pullup game.   Moline   [player_tooltip player_id='1545138' first='Braden' last='Freeman'] - 6'6, SF, 2025   Freeman has great size and is a deceptive athlete. He is a skilled wing who does the intangibles to help his team. Defends well, rebounds on both ends of the floor, and he can shoot the mid-range J. He is an effective passer.  Solid LM prospect who could garner some MM interest in the right system.   Mt. Zion   [player_tooltip player_id='1545145' first='Lyncoln' last='Koester'] – 6'3, SG, 2025   Koester has played well this spring. He has good size and plays some PG but is more SG at the next level. He is deceptive off the dribble who keeps defenders off balance.  He moves well without the ball and uses screens. He was effective getting downhill for pull up jumpers or getting into the lane.  Shoots ball consistently off the catch from 3.   [player_tooltip player_id='2323267' first='JC' last='Anderson'] – 6'7, C, 2026   Anderson is a Power 4 football prospect as a tight end.  He has a great body and is very good in the low post off the catch or bounce. Excellent back to the basket post moves. Finishes through contact.   Rebounds well and active on both ends.   Normal   [player_tooltip player_id='2105203' first='Kobe' last='Walker'] – 6'9, C, 2025   Walker continues to make big strides in his development.  He has improved his body and athleticism. He was active on both ends. Defends and challenges shots at the basket.  He's shed some pounds and has improved his mobility running the floor. He was active in the low post and showed improved moves and touch. He will be a prospect DI's will be following this summer and fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='2125642' first='Jarrel' last='Brown'] – 6'5, SF, 2027   First look of Brown with his high school team as he has had a solid AAU season.  He is long and rangy and as he adds strength will continue to develop his game. He scored well in transition and can put the ball on the floor in the half court.  Can score at the basket or with his mid-range pullup jumper. Good projectable prospect.   Quincy   [player_tooltip player_id='1545125' first='Dominique' last='Clay'] – 6'3, SG, 2025   Clay impressed as he continues to improve his skills and shooting consistency.  He is long with a lanky frame to add strength.  He is quick off the floor. Showed a solid mid-range game off the catch and dribble as well as improved stroke from 3. He plays with a great motor and has a good skill set.  He is a solid D2/LM prospect.   [player_tooltip player_id='1385308' first='Keshaun' last='Thomas'] – 6'6, PG, 2025   Thomas is a tough and physical power forward.  He plays inside and out.  Active in the low post and high post off the catch or taking to the basket off the bounce. He is a deceptive athlete. Hit the 15 – 17 foot jumper. Gets to the free throw line and has a nice stroke. Solid undersized four and should get some interest.

Written by Craig Harbaugh. Craig has been a college coach at the D1, D2, and JUCO levels. He also worked as a scout covering high school and JUCO basketball along with being the on court operations assistant director for Nike Elite 100 Camp.