2028 Watch List: Post Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Monday PHI unveiled our latest 2028 Watch List which expanded to 50 players.&nbsp; This list is not a ranking!!!&nbsp; It is 50 prospects that we have seen early in the process who we feel are worth noting and monitoring early on.&nbsp; Some freshman play a ton on varsity while some only play JV.&nbsp; That doesn't mean one will be more successful than the other.&nbsp; We are looking at the long game!&nbsp; These are players to keep an eye on for down the road as a prospect.&nbsp; Here we examine a few of those players in <strong>2028 Watch List: Post Prospects!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2632093' first='Amari' last='Williams'] (Shepard)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams has a chance to be the top post in this class.&nbsp; We saw him in a game this season where he long and wiry athlete up front went for 14 points while grabbing 10 rebounds.&nbsp; His agility and quickness on the offensive glass were what stood out from the beginning scoring multiple second chance buckets.&nbsp; Explosive finisher out of the dunker spot that can also make quick post moves to score.&nbsp; Rebounds in and out of area and has defensive versatility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2395586' first='Amir' last='Beasley'] (Danville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beasley showed flashes of his potential at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament in December.&nbsp; Long term prospect that needs development and to add strength, but there is intriguing tools all over.&nbsp; He is already 6'7” with long arms.&nbsp; Makes quick passes and snatches rebounds in traffic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2632080' first='Omer' last='Gabela'] (Lake Forest Academy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'6” LFA post caught our eye back in the fall at a [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] workout.&nbsp; Rangy frame that already has a pretty good skill set and is efficient finishing out of the paint especially the dunker spot.&nbsp; Can handle it from 15 feet and in where he can also make a jumper and passes well for a big man.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2632084' first='Daniel' last='Salkauskas'] (Stagg)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Doesn't play for his high school team instead he plans in a men's league with his 2027 highly ranked brother.&nbsp; Thinner than his older sibling at 6'6” with a nice skill set.&nbsp; Plus shooter from three that has all the skills you look for in a face up four man.&nbsp; Runs the floor well and can block shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2369943' first='John' last='Morgan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2369867' first='Ryan' last='Morgan'] (Crystal Lake South)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thick bodied 6'4” twins that have each contributed this season for Crystal Lake South.&nbsp; They bring inside/outside skill to the table as undersized 6'4” posts that can pass at a really high level, shoot it, and score with efficiency down on the block.&nbsp; Rebound well in area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>John Brown (Homewood Flossmoor)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long and rangy 6'6” power forward is all upside at this point.&nbsp; Plays very little if any on a loaded varsity squad, but we saw flashes in the fall of what he can be.&nbsp; Fluid running up and down the floor.&nbsp; Quickness on the glass, quick moves when he gets the ball, and has rim protection potential.&nbsp; Lot of intriguing tools here!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2532003' first='Joey' last='Jakstys'] (Yorkville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yorkville has two high ceiling freshman in the 2028 class.&nbsp; This 6'6” post is the younger brother of former top 5 prospect and current Illini freshman Jason Jakstys.&nbsp; Joey is a plus athlete that is extremely fluid getting up and down the court as a rim running threat.&nbsp; Can push it off the defensive glass and is a solid passer.&nbsp; Has the ability to step out to knock in a three ball and brings versatility as a post defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->