Illinois Wolves Scrimmages: 17U Evaluations

Recently the Illinois Wolves conducted three scrimmages featuring their high school age teams. PrepHoops Illinois was given the film of the event and had the opportunity to get a recent look at many of the top prospects in the state. Here we dive into the Illinois Wolves Scrimmages: 17U Evaluations!   [player_tooltip player_id="920940" first="Anthony" last="Sayles"] (Niles Notre Dame – 2021) Sayles is the top ranked prospect at the point guard position in the state and has been since the moment he stepped into high school. The 6’2” point guard brings athleticism and toughness to the table at the lead guard spot. Didn’t score a ton in this scrimmage as he was more in the distributing role. There have been some questions by college coaches about his identity as a point guard/combo guard/scoring guard. I have always been a fan of what he does as a distributor and that was shown in this game. Made several crisp dishes to shooter and worked well in the pick/roll for finishes. As a scorer he hit a corner three and got to the rim off the bounce. Sayles is being heavily under recruited at this point having only a few mid-major offers.   [player_tooltip player_id="765153" first="Louis" last="Lesmond"] (Niles Notre Dame – 2021) The Harvard commit brings positional size at 6’6”, plus athleticism, and a lights out shooting stroke. Showed off all of that in this outing. He drilled five triples in scrimmage. Plus shooter off the catch that also had a smooth step back three as well. Showed off the athleticism with several transition finishes showing the pop that makes him an intriguing prospect that garnered him multiple high major scholarships before going the Ivy League route.   [player_tooltip player_id="529033" first="Max" last="Christie"] (Rolling Meadows – 2021) Christie is the top prospect in the state’s rising senior class and recently committed to Michigan State to play his college hoops. Ultra skilled 6’6” shooting guard that can beat a defense in so many ways. I came away very impressed with his passing feel in ball screen action. Drilled an array of threes both pulling up and off the catch. Knock down shooter that can also take his man down to the post for an up and under move along with a fade away jumper.   [player_tooltip player_id="765154" first="Scottie" last="Ebube"] (Mundelein – 2021) Ebube is a big and strong five man that is headed to Southern Illinois next season. The 6’8” post player impressed in the scrimmage with his improved mobility. Works well in the pick/roll game as he had multiple finishes. Had an impressive move where he took it strong from the mid-post, jump stopped, and dunked it. Finishes with power in the paint. Defensively he is a brick wall that is tough to go through and he competes on that end.   Denham Wojcik (La Lumiere, IN – 2021) Wojcik is another Harvard commit on this squad. The 6’1” lead guard from La Lumiere in Indiana is a high level distributor that showed his passing flair creating opportunities for others with regularity. He found shooters consistently along with quick passes in the paint to his big men. Solid three point shooter that can hit from pull up shots.   [player_tooltip player_id="920946" first="Conor" last="Enright"] (Mundelein – 2021) Enright is headed to the Missouri Valley Conference as one of the first commits in this class to Drake. High IQ guard with toughness. He runs a team and is a sound distributor in the drive/kick game. Moves well without the ball and has a nice looking jump shot.   [player_tooltip player_id="920974" first="Landon" last="Moore"] (Bloomington – 2021) Moore is a sleeper point guard from central Illinois. Can hit deep threes at a solid rate with elevation on his shot. Did a nice job of mixing in runners/floaters to his pull up jump shot game. Decent passer, but is more of a scoring guard.   [player_tooltip player_id="863582" first="Jaden" last="Schutt"] (Yorkville Christian – 2022) Schutt is one of the top 2022 prospects in the state. Playing up an age level he shined with his shooting (of course) and his passing. Drilled a three off the catch along with a crisp shot fake, let his defender fly by, and drilled a jumper. Liked how he distributed the ball with his crisp passing.   [player_tooltip player_id="765173" first="Walt" last="Mattingly"] (Lake Forest – 2021) Mattingly made the move to Lake Forest High School for his senior year. He has always been an intriguing prospect because of his size at 6’7” and overall skill level. Hit several threes off the catch along with a step back. Good athlete that can take his man off the bounce for nifty finishes at the cup. Brings some upside to the table especially once he gets in a college strength program.   [player_tooltip player_id="925183" first="Braden" last="Huff"] (Glenbard West – 2022) Huff is one of the higher ceiling prospects in the 2022 class. He played as a role player in the scrimmage against some of the top players in the class older than him. Still flashed what makes him intriguing. The 6’9” power forward is a lefty that had hits pick/pop shots, drills corner threes, and is a crafty driver when he puts it on the deck.   [player_tooltip player_id="529038" first="Chris" last="Hodges"] (Schaumburg – 2021) We close out the 17U report with this Wisconsin Badgers commit. The 6’8” big man has really improved his mobility and face up game over the last year. In this game he hit a three, mid-range jumper, and put it on the deck from the mid-post multiple times. Quick post moves and can finish with power. Defensively he rebounds at a high level and is a shot blocking presence defensively.