Prep Hoops Live: Top Illinois 2023 Performers Pt 1

<p>Prep Hoops Live was one of the biggest events in the country this spring.  It featured tons of talent from Illinois and around the nation.  Here we dive into the Illinois rising junior prospects that impressed in <strong>Prep Hoops Live: Top Illinois 2023 Performers Pt 1</strong>!</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1113516" first="Darien" last="Singleton"] (Illinois Bears)</strong></p> <p>Beep, Beep!  Singleton is so fast with it in the open floor zooming past defenders.  Excellent burst with it in his hands getting to the rim and is an active on ball defender that creates turnovers.  More than handled playing up on the 17U level for the Illinois Bears.  Mascoutah PG is one to track heading into his junior campaign!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1215320" first="Zion" last="Oliver"] (Chicago Demons)</strong></p> <p>Oliver put his name on our radar with a strong performance for the Chicago Demons.  Got to the rim and the foul line with burst off the bounce.  Also has a nice mid-range jumper.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="939048" first="Keon" last="Alexander"] (Illinois Hoopstars Wilder)</strong></p> <p>Alexander continues to impress this spring on the PHC.  The Bolingbrook 6’7” power forward is a lefty that has a lot of toughness and the skill is starting to accelerate at a rapid pace.  Very good rebounder in traffic with his strong hands.  Quick post moves including a nice hook shot and seals in the high/low game.  Defensively he is a tough post defender with shot blocking potential.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1048321" first="Joshua" last="Thomas"] (Illinois Hoopstars Wilder)</strong></p> <p>Thomas is a long and rangy combo forward that looked super smooth with the rock in his hands taking it on the baseline for a reverse layup and a quick slam on the interior.  The 6’7” forward can play either forward spot as a face up skilled four or a jumbo three man.  Just oozing with potential and seems to play a little better each time we see him.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1048310" first="George" last="Bellevue"] (Illinois Hoopstars Wilder)</strong></p> <p>Bouncy 6’6” four man that explodes around the hoop especially with his second jump on the offensive glass.  Explosive finisher and rebounder in the paint.  Has some potential as a face up player putting it on the deck from the mid-post.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="989276" first="Grant" last="Welch"] (Illinois Hoopstars Wilder)</strong></p> <p>Welch did a nice job of getting everyone involved on his squad.  The Moline lead guard made quality decisions on the fly getting others involved with passes in the paint.  Also got his posts the ball with solid entry feeds including a high/low dish.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1113517" first="Maurice" last="Thomas"] (Illinois Hoopstars Wilder)</strong></p> <p>Thomas is the next big time guard out of DePaul Prep.  The floor general is a plus shooter in the pull up game that knocks them down with regularity.  Did just that draining a three and mid-range shot off the bounce.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="939078" first="Bryce" last="Tillery"] (Illinois Hoopstars Wilder)</strong></p> <p>Tillery is a smaller scoring point guard from Hillcrest that fits the mold of the guards they have had in recent years.  Great speed with the ball in his hands with crisp handles.  Likes the pull up three point shot.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1200305" first="Cameron" last="Atkinson"] (Iowa Barnstormers)</strong></p> <p>Rangy shooting guard from the Iowa Barnstormers that plays at Rock Island High School.  Was at his best cutting away from the ball getting open for layups on back cuts.  Projectable frame and is one to track on one of the best central Illinois squads year in and year out.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1215294" first="Mason" last="Funk"] (Illinois Hoopstars Willis)</strong></p> <p>Funk put on a show on Sunday afternoon.  The Normal U-High small forward has positional size at 6’6” with a lethal multi level scoring game as he dropped 32 points making it look easy while also showing a sound passing feel.  Stock riser!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Germaine Springfield (Illinois Hoopstars Willis)</strong></p> <p>Springfield is a wide bodied 6’5” four man that likes to operate on the offensive end in the high-post area, taking his man off the bounce with power moves.  Plays bully ball around the hoop especially once he gains deep post position.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1215312" first="Logan" last="Sluder"] (Illinois Hoopstars Willis)</strong></p> <p>Plus shooter that drained an array of threes in the game we saw.  Point guard with a silky smooth release from Normal West.</p>