Show Me Showdown: Scotty B’s Notable Illinois 2028 Prospects Pt 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Show Me Showdown took place over the weekend in St. Louis.&nbsp; I was able to see every high school age team in the event play and we will be diving into 60+ total Illinois prospects who made an impression.&nbsp; Here is a look at <strong>Show Me Showdown: Scotty B's Notable Illinois 2028 Prospects Pt 1</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nolan Hite (Southern Illinois Raptors)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hite is a 6'3” Maryville Christian prospect that dropped 17 points in the first game of Saturday morning.&nbsp; Scored inside and out.&nbsp; Posted up weaker defenders, slashed off the bounce for reverse layups, and mixed in some turnaround jumpers along with a three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3633355' first='Hayden' last='Storck'] (Southern Illinois Raptors)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Maryville Christian guard is a high level shot maker!&nbsp; Did it in both game we saw.&nbsp; That is no shocker as his family is full of big time perimeter shooters.&nbsp; He did it in both games we saw knocking in an array of long balls while showing grit and toughness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Noah Stokes (Southern Illinois Raptors)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smaller point guard from Collinsville that should see some tick this season.&nbsp; Pushes the pace, but is at his best as a spot up shooter with range to beyond the college three point line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ceagan Slater (Southern Illinois Raptors)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greenville strong bodied forward that was most effective doing damage from 15 feet and in.&nbsp; He got to the foul line and finished dump off passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2832377' first='Max' last='Lustenberger'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Solid couple of games for the Carterville point guard.&nbsp; In the second game we saw he notched 13 points connecting on three from beyond the arc along with pushing the pace and having a nose for the basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2832359' first='Harper' last='Lustenberger'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harper had a big game on Saturday afternoon as the good sized combo guard out of Carterville is a well rounded player who really dished the rock well.&nbsp; Made sound reads in the half court, mixed in soft touch finishes, and made a pair of threes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2832355' first='DJ' last='Hayes'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayes is a long and thin lead guard out of Sparta who brings a ton of energy and flair to the game.&nbsp; His shot making was on full display Saturday as the southpaw was feeling it spotting up, pulling up, and utilizing step back triples from deep.&nbsp; His speed is maybe his biggest strength as he pushes in the open floor and has burst on his first step better than many guards in his class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2751050' first='Ayden' last='Foley'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Foley was outstanding!&nbsp; He has gained strength as his frame is starting to fill out.&nbsp; The 6'6” big man was excellent on the glass grabbing rebounds on both offense and defense.&nbsp; Had several put backs on second chance points.&nbsp; Went after them assertively snatching rebounds in traffic.&nbsp; Did step out to hit a three which if he can add that makes him very intriguing considering his best asset is his defense. Proved to be a high level rim protector in both games we saw as he changed the game blocking and altering everything around the rim.&nbsp; Very intriguing big man that is coming into his own!&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2832405' first='JJ' last='Gwaltney'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gwaltney brings a lot of value to the table as a strong bodied wing with size and a lethal lefty three point shot!&nbsp; Poured in a plethora of threes in their Sunday morning contest.&nbsp; Quick and consistent release.&nbsp; Shooters with size always play!&nbsp; Mixed in a couple of slashes as well in a 21 point outing for the Herrin wing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Will Lehman ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lehman is a tough and competitive wing that gets after it on both ends.&nbsp; Rebounds well for his position, wings on straight line takes, is a connective passer, and gets after it defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2948252' first='Braden' last='Obszanski'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Projectable power forward at 6'5” from Breese Central.&nbsp; Mobile forward that presents a long and rangy frame which should fill out in time.&nbsp; Quick to the offensive glass for put backs and tip ins.&nbsp; Solid rebounder on both ends that flashed as a shooter.&nbsp; Skill potential in there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2871678' first='Jack' last='Melton'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Melton lit up the nets when we saw him on Sunday.&nbsp; The NCOE 6'0” shooting guard poured in 25 of his 29 points in the first half.&nbsp; That included a heat check run of six triples from beyond the arc.&nbsp; Clean and consistent mechanics on his three point shot.&nbsp; Moves very well without the ball to get open.&nbsp; More than just a shooter he can deck it a little finishing through contact multiple times for and-1s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531990' first='Ethan' last='Peebles'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carlyle utility wing is a tremendous glue guy for this squad.&nbsp; He is a crafty driver who knocks in mid-range shots.&nbsp; His biggest value is on the defensive end as he gives opponents fits with his on ball pressure defense and anticipation flying all over the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2872605' first='Logan' last='Stowers'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stowers is a two guard who is effective getting in the paint on drives along with crashing the offensive glass for second chance points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3633300' first='Camden' last='Woolard'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Breakout event for the West Frankford 6'4” small forward who has nice positional size being able to score inside and out.&nbsp; Shot it pretty consistently from beyond the arc along with converting in pick/roll situations along with turnaround shots out of the post.&nbsp; Solid handles in the open floor.&nbsp; His perimeter shot making is where he shines the most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brenton Butlman ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nashville lead guard stood out on his particular 16U Bears squad.&nbsp; Good putting it on the deck and getting to the rack and charity stripe.&nbsp; Backed in multiple weaker guards for post up scores.&nbsp; Sound passer with good feel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->