Safest 2021 Illinois Prospects

<p>Some of the best prospects for college coaches are the ones you know exactly what you are getting.  They will have a defined role from the time they step on campus and you can feel very confident that they will pan out as multiyear contributors.  Here we look at some of the safest 2021 prospects in the state of Illinois outside of the top 10.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="765154" first="Scottie" last="Ebube"] (Mundelein)</strong></p> <p>The Southern Illinois commit is going to be able to step right in and impact in the Missouri Valley.  He already has a college body with his strong frame which helps him play with physicality in the paint, rebounding, and defend in the post.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="821736" first="Blake" last="Peters"] (Evanston)</strong></p> <p>Peters is headed to Princeton next year and from the jump the Ivy League program knows they can count on him to knock down shots.  One of the most effective three point shooters in the state regardless of class has improved his all-around game over the last few years, but his high-floor comes from his elite shooting skill.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920949" first="Brian" last="Mathews"] (DePaul Prep)</strong></p> <p>Mathews will be signing with UMass next month.  The Chicago Catholic League center is a safe bet to be successful at the college level because of his rebounding and ability to anchor down low in the post.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="995970" first="Jack" last="Mielke"] (Downers Grove North)</strong></p> <p>Mielke has a high level skill with his shooting from the power forward spot which translates well to the next level.  He has been a coveted D2 prospect because programs at that level see him as the perfect fit for new age fours at that level.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920959" first="Nathanael" last="Hoskins"] (Danville)</strong></p> <p>Hoskins is a rock solid left handed point guard that you know exactly what you are getting.  Tough guard that has a crafty scoring game off the bounce.  Nifty finisher in the paint and makes sound decisions with the rock.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920966" first="Tyler" last="Van Eekeren"] (Benet)</strong></p> <p>TVE is a rock solid all-around wing that will be an impactful player at the D2 level.  He can knock down three point shots and defends at a high level on the perimeter.  His ability to put it on the deck and finish with toughness at the rack has elevated his stock.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920970" first="Aaron" last="McQueen"] (Lane Tech)</strong></p> <p>McQueen just produces!  He isn’t the flashiest player, but every time you see him play he posts excellent numbers scoring in the paint, hitting mid-range jumpers, and rebounding in bunches.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920983" first="Ashawn" last="Burbridge"] (Joliet West)</strong></p> <p>Burbridge is a junk yard dog four man that plays bigger than his size.  He defends all over the court and is one of the best offensive rebounders in the class.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920978" first="Kyonte" last="Thomas"] (Bolingbrook)</strong></p> <p>Thomas has one skill that carries him and that is his defense.  Absolutely monster on ball defender at the point guard position taking teams out of their game plan.  That makes him a prospect that small colleges love!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="921014" first="Nathan" last="Thompson"] (Effingham)</strong></p> <p>Thompson is going to be an excellent player for a small college program.  The southern Illinois forward has always been a plus shooter and now the way he has improved as a rebounder has really elevated his stock.</p>