Midwest JUCO Jamboree: Top Sophomore Wings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the weekend I was at Marion High School for the <strong>Midwest JUCO Jamboree</strong>.&nbsp; This is a first-class event that is run by John A Logan specifically coaches Tyler Smithpeters and Marcus Walker.&nbsp; Let's dive into the <strong>Top Sophomore Wings </strong>at the event!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tolu Samuels (Triton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Samuels was one of the premier prospects at the event.&nbsp; The former Hillcrest standout now stands at 6'8” with the long and lanky frame that we remember from his high school days.&nbsp; You have to like the versatility here.&nbsp; Can play inside and out.&nbsp; The shot looked smooth coming out of his hands from three.&nbsp; Played above the rim throwing down a big alley oop jam in the open floor.&nbsp; The length plays very well on the defensive end.&nbsp; Opened eyes up of a lot of mid-major coaches in attendance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaiden Space (Triton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Space was a key part of Rob Smith's final Simeon team that made it to the state championship game.&nbsp; After a year at Stony Brook he transferred back to Chicago for his sophomore season at Triton.&nbsp; Shooting guard that is a good secondary playmaker.&nbsp; Showed that with a few nice passes including a dime off an out of bounds play.&nbsp; Sound pull up jump shooter that has spot up potential.&nbsp; Liked what he brought on the defensive end as an in your face perimeter defender putting pressure on the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Vijay Wallace (Triton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wallace is a Chicago native that was a bit under the radar in his prep days.&nbsp; We saw some flashes in one of their games as the 6'6” wing flew in crashing the offensive glass, slick ball handler that won off the dribble for conversions including an explosive baseline take for a jam.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Caden Hawkins (John A Logan)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hawkins had a big first weekend at Vincennes where he landed offers from Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois after the event.&nbsp; There were 75+ coaches in the house for this one and he once again showed off what he is best at which is letting it fly from the perimeter.&nbsp; Plus plus shooter with a free and easy stroke.&nbsp; Also brings some passing instincts including a dime in a pick/roll to Loury for the game winner in their second game.&nbsp; Also really competes on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bryan Akanmu (Vincennes)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'6” wing from France has some tools to work with.&nbsp; Strong frame and is a plus athlete.&nbsp; Scored well in the open floor and was tough as a finisher round the hoop.&nbsp; Liked how he could post up weaker wings finishing through them for and-1s.&nbsp; Potential as a multi positional wing defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preston Turner (Mineral Area)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Turner struggled a bit in the first half of the game we saw, but he turned it up a notch in the second half.&nbsp; The 6'6” wing has a good frame and stretch along with positional size.&nbsp; Bit of a streaky shooter, but when he got it rolling it looked good coming off his hand spotting up especially from the corners.&nbsp; Had a nice alley-oop dunk long with a slick euro step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->