Midwest Crossroads Showcase: Southern 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: Southern Illinois Prospects!   Belleville East   [player_tooltip player_id='2454160' first='Kameron' last='Eutsey'] – 6'6, PF, 2025   This long and athletic power forward is quick off the floor and runs the floor well. He was active rebounding especially good on the offensive glass.  He was active setting the pick & roll opportunities. He has improved and continues to develop his low post back to the basket game.  Eutsey has a lot of upside if he continues development of his game.   [player_tooltip player_id='2105171' first='Savion' last='Mitchell'] – 6'5, PF, 2025   Mitchell is an undersized PF who has a good motor, good athleticism and played inside and outside. He was active in the Low post who showed nice use of both hands around the basket. Active in transition running the floor.  He rebounded on both ends.  Did show a face up jumper which was solid from15-18 feet. Shot the trailer 3's which need to be more consistent.   Belleville West   [player_tooltip player_id='2458187' first='J'dyn' last='Lloyd'] – 6'5, SF, 2027   Lloyd is an athletic wing who scored at all three levels. Showed a nice pull up game in the mid-range and has excellent body control finishing at the rim. He is long, has good size and athleticism. Nice prospect with good upside. Division I talent with continued development of his game.   [player_tooltip player_id='2823498' first='Nick' last='Hankins'] Jr. – 6'1, SG, 2026   Played very well in the game watched.  This left-hander was active off the bounce. Showed a nice pullup game and is tough at the basket as he draws contact. Nice stroke from the free throw line. He has a strong body and is active on the defensive end.       Carterville   [player_tooltip player_id='2323319' first='Colton' last='Hawkins'] – 6'3, Wing, 2026   Hawkins is a strong bodied wing with a good IQ. He showed he can play both on and off the ball.  Good off the bounce as he uses his strength to attack and scores on pullup jumpers or at the basket.  He has good vision and is a solid passer. Makes good decision off the dribble and showed nice range to 3. Had a nice weekend.   Centralia   [player_tooltip player_id='2751229' first='Michael' last='Organ'] – 6'1, SG, 2027   Left-handed two-guard. Has good skills. Uses screens, spots up and moves well without the ball. Nice catch & shoot 3 along with capable mid-range jumper off catch or 1 to 2 dribble pull up.   Collinsville   [player_tooltip player_id='1295650' first='Solomon' last='Talbott'] – 6'11, C, 2025   This was the first time seeing his big bodied post.  He has a good motor and runs floor.  The left hander showed decent touch around the basket. He will defend and challenge shots.  Limited lift athletically he still showed nice basic post moves.  Still developing and one to monitor the rest of the year because of his size.   Mascoutah   [player_tooltip player_id='1838836' first='Jayden' last='McCoo'] – 6'3, SG, 2025   McCoo is a nice sized wing. He is skilled and good going to the basket off the dribble but needs to get better balance and body control to finish more consistently. He has a solid mid-range stroke. Plays with energy. Nice stroke from the charity stripe. He will continue to progress with strength.   O'Fallon   [player_tooltip player_id='1501486' first='Ben' last='Akoro'] – 6'7, SF, 2026   Akoro has good size and a frame to add strength. He is skilled and good off the dribble. He showed a solid mid-range game and uses his length/athleticism to rebound on both ends.  He has a quick 1st step to the basket and will finish better as he gets stronger.  Akoro projects as a HM prospect.   Pinckneyville   [player_tooltip player_id='2321427' first='AJ' last='Keith'] – 6'4, SF, 2025   Keith is a skilled wing.  He has a nice body with deceptive athleticism.  He scored inside and outside. Has a solid stroke from 15-18 feet. Plays with energy and does the little things for his team.  Solid D2 prospect.   [player_tooltip player_id='2323278' first='Ty' last='Laur'] - 6'7, C, 2026   Laur has continued to develop his game and progressed.  He is very active in the low and high post. Showed he has excellent footwork and touch inside.  He used his body effectively against more athletic players.  He can also step out and stretch the floor with his shooting. Proved he is a good area rebounder.

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.