TOC: Friday Illinois Top Performers
PrepHoopsIllinois was at Washington High School all day for the Tournament of Champions. There was lots of talent from Illinois and across the country in attendance. We breakdown the top performers from Illinois on Friday. SG RJ McGee…
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Continue ReadingPrepHoopsIllinois was at Washington High School all day for the Tournament of Champions. There was lots of talent from Illinois and across the country in attendance. We breakdown the top performers from Illinois on Friday.
SG RJ McGee (Kenwood – 2018)
Friday was the best we have ever seen this Kenwood 6’3” shooting guard. McGee has always been a freak athlete which we saw on the circuit over the summer with All-In/Young & Reckless. The skill set is starting to emerge with the talented two guard. McGee hit a variety of mid-range and jumpers with consistency throughout the day. Shoots it with pure mechanics, elevation, and balance. Also got out in the transition game where he is a high flier with his athleticism and speed. Rebounds well for his position snatching 50/50 balls. Potential to be a plus defender at the next level with his lateral quickness and anticipation. McGee had 16 points against Spartansburg. Should be on the low-major radar.
PG Octavius Parker (Kenwood – 2017)
Parker is a combo guard that is best when he is able to spot up and hit shots. He did just that in both games on Friday. The Kenwood guard got his team going in key moments of both games with his perimeter shooting. He has a free flowing release with smooth mechanics. He is limited in other areas, but is intriguing as a shooter at potentially the D2 level. Parker had 18 points against Spartansburg.
F Jamal Smith (Proviso East – 2017)
Smith is a 6’6” combo forward with a good build and athleticism to go with it. He shined with his energy and motor. The senior forward got on the glass relentlessly and cleaned up with put backs. Very good rebounder that has the ability to finish through contact. Not overly skilled at this point. Smith had 20 points and 14 rebounds against Anaheim Esperanza. He is worth a look at the JUCO level.
SG Tyler Chisom (Proviso East – 2017)
Chisom is one of the top wing defenders in the state. The Proviso East wing plays with Chicago toughness and a motor that has become his calling card. Offensively Chisom is a slashing wing that takes straight line drives toward the rack. He doesn’t care who is in the lane he is going to the hoop with authority. The senior guard does a good job of finishing or getting to the charity stripe. Struggles shooting free throws and isn’t much of a perimeter shooter. Chisom rebounds very well for a guard and is a prime time defender with his tenacity and toughness. Chisom had 15 points against Anaheim Esperanza. He is one of the top JUCO prospects in Illinois.
SG Brennan Woods (Harvest Christian – 2017)
Woods was major offensive threat for Harvest Christian in their early morning contest. The 6’4” junior shooting guard has a strong build and solid athleticism. He is a streaky shooter, but on Friday they were going in. He dropped one after another from beyond the three point arc. When his shot is on he is a versatile offensive threat. Also got on the glass for multiple put backs. Woods went for 20 points. Potential D2 prospect that would be outstanding at the high D3/NAIA level.
SG Jayden Gasby (Urban Prep Englewood – 2018)
Gasby put it all together on Friday. He stands at 6’5” with a strong and athletic frame. The junior has the ability to get in the lane with an explosive first step at will. He can score from there in a variety of ways. His most effective is a mid-range pull up jumper that he hit from all over the court. Is always in rhythm and balanced when shooting it. Plays with a great motor and high energy level. He got on the offensive glass for multiple put back opportunities. Sound defender that was active getting deflections. He had 18 points. Should be on the low-major radar.
SG Demarius Jacobs (Uplift – 2017 – SIU)
The SIU commit didn’t have a huge scoring game, but more than made an impact on their win against Washington. The athletic and rangy two guard was a monster on the defensive end of the floor. He had a handful of blocks on drives from the guard position. Jacobs moves well laterally, but when his man did get past him he always recovered to block the shot. His most impressive play was a tough defensive rebound that he took end to end for a dunk. That was followed in the second half by several strong straight line drives to the cup for scores including a thunderous jam. Jacobs had 13 points.
PG Markese Jacobs (Uplift – 2019 – Kansas)
The other Jacobs brother did most of his work in the first half. Markese has already made a verbal commitment to Kansas and the #2 sophomore in Illinois more than lived up to that status in the first half. He got off to a hot start from the perimeter with a pair of triples early hyping his team up. Then he went to work with his blow by speed off the dribble where he got in the lane and finished with his body control at the rim. Elite level athlete with bowling ball strength. Such an acrobatic guard at the rim. Jacobs also made several sound decisions as a point guard throughout the contest. Didn’t get rattled when Washington tried to slow the game down. He had 16 points in the win.
G Adrian Ware (Washington – 2018)
Ware is a 5’10” junior combo guard that was a new name on our radar. With Uplift’s defense clearly designed to stop Devin Whitelow it was Ware who stepped up. The lefty was slippery getting in the paint where he drilled a variety of pull ups and runners for buckets. Opened our eyes with his ball handling and slashing skills. Ware had 16 points. Name to track.