Thanksgiving Throwdown: Top Performers

Prep Hoops Illinois covered the games from the Thanksgiving Throwdown over the weekend. This event across the border in Missouri was loaded with many of the top prospects from southern Illinois in the classes of 2021, 2022, and 2023. We break them down here in our Thanksgiving Throwdown: Top Performers!   [player_tooltip player_id="863631" first="NJ" last="Benson"] (Mt. Vernon – 2022) Benson was the most impressive prospect at the event. The 6’7” 210 pound center broke out after being under the radar all summer. In our first time seeing him since the end of his sophomore season he has gotten considerably better. First part that stands out is his strength and frame. Buildt similar to Kansas State freshman Davion Bradford with really broad shoulders and a strong upper body. He moves very well for his size. Benson was dominant on the glass in all three games we saw. He crashed the offensive glass over and over again for put backs completely owning the boards throughout the event. In one game alone he had five put backs. The other area he scored a lot was on dump off passes which came from Rudd. He slammed home quite a few monster jams going straight up with power after catching the pass in traffic. Showed flashes being able to handle a little facing up from the mid-post and even pushed it a few times in the open floor. Not much of a shooter and struggled at the foul line. His rebounding was very good as he high pointed boards in traffic over and over again. Went after them at their apex and snatched them strong with both hands. Defensively he is an excellent shot blocker that showed good anticipation and timing. Flashed being able to guard in ball screens although he did get beat a few times. It is a shame he has no offers at this stage as he has the looks of a D1 prospect after seeing him for the first time in 10 months. Going to move up in our next rankings considerably.   [player_tooltip player_id="765176" first="Quani" last="Rudd"] (Mt. Vernon – 2021) Rudd is one of the more intriguing prospects from southern Illinois in the senior class. At 6’6” he has a long and athletic frame. He is a good athlete that can put it on the deck and really attacks the offensive glass for put backs. His activity level was definitely his biggest strength at the event. Also liked how well he passed it when in the lane. Made several spectacular dishes including a spinning behind the back dish to Benson for a dunk. He only hit one jumper in the three games which came on a mid-range pull up. Was fouled on several drives to the basket. Like his potential as a wing defender when engaged.   [player_tooltip player_id="921066" first="Carson" last="Prost"] (Mt. Vernon – 2021) Prost continues to emerge as a priority small college prospect with the way he shoots it from three. The Mt. Vernon wing was lights out from deep throughout the event with his quick and consistent release. Moves well without the ball and has good shot prep before letting it fly. Not a bad athlete at all as he mixes in some acrobatic layups.   [player_tooltip player_id="1049595" first="Dylan" last="Harkins"] (Mt. Vernon – 2021) Harkins is a small point guard that brings toughness, grit, and shooting to the table. Crisp looking jump shot and gets to the rim on occasion for nifty layups.   [player_tooltip player_id="821774" first="Noah" last="Franklin"] (Cobden – 2021) This Illinois Bears point-forward has a ton of buzz right now. He is a prospect we have been high on for a long time. The 6’7” lefty combines size, strength, and skill. Franklin is a really dynamic passer that does it with flair. Can put it on the deck against bigger defenders beating them off the dribble with ease. Can score on the block as well.   [player_tooltip player_id="939049" first="Cade" last="Altadonna"] (Highland – 2023) Altadonna was very impressive in the game we saw. The Highland lefty point guard is a shot maker from beyond the arc both off the catch and pulling up. Quickness off the dribble in tight spaces as he got to the hoop off a ball screen for an and-1.   [player_tooltip player_id="1048392" first="Cole" last="Peppenhorst"] (Breese Mater Dei – 2023) Peppenhorst is a face up four man that can stretch the floor with his shooting. Solid catch and shoot threat from three. Quick to the offensive glass for put backs, cuts away from the ball for layups, and is mobile on the defensive end. Will need to add strength moving forward.   Peyton Edwards (Carmi – 2021) Edwards is a strong bodied four man that is a quality area rebounder. Finishes through contact against physical defenders.   [player_tooltip player_id="652790" first="AJ" last="Smith"] (Metro East Lutheran – 2021) Smith is a wing that has a strong body and plus athleticism. He was effective at flying in from the perimeter for offensive rebounds that he put back in for buckets. Handles it well off the bounce where he was often fouled. Fluid ball handler that had a nice spin move getting to the rack.   [player_tooltip player_id="863605" first="Justin" last="King"] (Mascoutah – 2022) King is among the top 2022 lead guards in the state of Illinois. Excellent size and length at 6’4”. He had a couple of sweet layups in transition, but overall was rather quiet in the game we saw.   [player_tooltip player_id="652797" first="Joe" last="Melton"] (Norris City Omaha Enfield – 2021) Melton is the ideal small college face up post prospect. The wiry big man can really shoot the rock from beyond the arc with a beautiful looking shot. He knocked down several jumpers and crashed the glass for tip ins offensively and high-pointed boards on the defensive end.   [player_tooltip player_id="765214" first="Landon" last="Zurliene"] (Fairfield – 2021) Zurliene is one of the more consistent performers from southern Illinois in the 2021 class. The Fairfield shooting guard is a silky smooth shooter from mid-range and three. Effortless release that he knocks down consistently.   Darien Singleton (Mascoutah – 2023) Singleton is coming on strong over the last few months with performances during the fall and winter. The point guard is a quick and shifty ball handler that has it on a string. He gets in the lane where he finishes with runners and converts through contact for and-1s.   Reece Johnson (Benton – 2021) Johnson is a two guard from Benton who knocked down several mid-range jumpers along with getting in the lane including a strong take with his off hand for a score. Nice small college player.