Swish N Dish: 2018 Scouting Pt 2
PrepHoopsIllinois was at the NY2LA Sports Swish N Dish in Mequon, Wisconsin this past weekend for the premier grassroots kickoff event featuring all of the best Illinois teams. Now it is time for our extensive scouting report on the event. Check out part two of our report on the 2018 Illinois Prospects in attendance.
PG Xavier Pinson (Mac Irvin Fire NY2LA 17U)
Pinson had a very nice showing at Swish N DIsh! The 6’3” long and lanky St. Patrick’s point guard played well throughout the day. He can really shoot it from the perimeter at the lead guard spot. Range out to well beyond the three point arc. Puts lots of arc on it and that gives it a better chance to fall even if it hits the rim as it falls in a lot of times on the bounce. Handles it well especially in tight spaces. Works well in the pick and roll. Solid point guard that continues to raise his stock in 2018. Has low-major potential.
SF Dannie Smith (Mac Irvin Fire NY2LA 17U)
Smith had a breakout season at Orr this past year. He went from unknown to one of the most productive wings in the city of Chicago. He stands at 6’6” with a strong and physical body along with solid length. His game is based off his toughness and motor. Clears the defensive glass. As an offensive player he attacks downhill where he can finish through defenders. Not a quick twitched athlete, but rather attacks with power. Also a capable shooter off the catch. Potential on the defensive end. Low-major prospect.
PF Logan Windeler (Example Sports 17U)
Windeler went down to prep school last year and he tells us he will be reclassifying to the 2018 class and do a 5th year at a yet to be determined prep school. He is a skilled 6’9” power forward that is best as a face up four man. Stretches the floor with his perimeter shot and runs the floor well in transition. Would like to see more out of him in the post. Definitely has low-major potential with size and face up skill.
G Courtney Fields (Example Sports 17U)
Fields opened our eyes at this event. The 6’3” combo guard has solid size and plays with toughness. Good feel for the game. Capable perimeter shooter with a high release point on his jumper. One to continue to monitor. Right now projects as a small college prospect with the chance to elevate.
PG Kevin Caldwell (Jets-Ramey United NY2LA 17U)
The Alton 5’10” point guard had a strong close to his junior year and was impressive when we saw him at Swish N Dish. He is a fast lead guard that utilizes his quickness and speed to score and get others involved. Caldwell got in the lane consistently. Despite his size got on the glass for a couple put backs. Hit a three behind a screen. D2 prospect with low-major upside.
PF Caleb Strohmeier (Jets-Ramey United NY2LA 17U)
Strohmeier is among the more intriguing combo forwards in this class. Good strength and seemed to play more free offensively than we saw during the high school season. Works best when facing up. Flashed improved handles on a couple strong drives including one up and under. Solid rebounder. Would like to see more in the post out of the junior. He is a low-major prospect right now.
SG Malachi Smith (Jets-Ramey United NY2LA 17U)
Smith is a 6’3” shooting guard that can really score. The Jets fell to Gateway, but this Belleville East wing more than did his part. He is a scorer that gets to the rim with ease. Puts combination moves together off the bounce to score in the paint. Finished at the rim with some acrobatics including a nice up and under. Smith is a low-major 2018 prospect.
C Tyler Joest (Gateway 17U)
Joest is a 6’8” power forward from Breese Central that has intrigued us throughout his high school career. He has a long and lanky body. Will need to add strength going forward to play at the college level. Solid skill level for the junior. Decent footwork in the post as he can use a spin move and hook shot to score. Can put it on the deck a couple times. Length plays well on the defensive end. Overall seems a lot more coordinated and confident in his game. D2 prospect.
SG Jaquan Adams (Gateway 17U)
Adams is a 6’2” shooting guard from Civic Memorial. The lengthy wing has a solidly built frame. Plays under control and has a pure lefty jump shot from mid-range. Also likes to finish with a floater. Adams is a small college player.
SG Isaiah Bowers (Gateway 17U)
Bowers is a new name on our radar. The 6’1” shooting guard is a kid that can shoot it from deep. Solid athlete that is best as a spot up shooter from Lincoln. One to continue to track.
C Ryan Davis (Wisconsin Playground Warriors 17U)
Davis is a 6’9” center with a thick body that is among the best centers in the state of Illinois in the class of 2018. He had a quality junior campaign at Conant. The space eating center flashes potential on the block including a hook shot. The area of his game that has improved the most is his shooting. Davis has shown grown as a pick and pop shooter and hitting shots off the catch. Would like to see him be a more dominant rebounder considering his size. Davis is a low-major prospect.
PF Jesus Vargus (Illinois Irish 17U)
Vargus is intriguing at 6’9” with his ability to run the floor. Very good length and clears the glass at a nice clip. We just got a glimpse in our first look at this 6’9” four man, but we will be tracking him as the spring goes along.
SF JT Wheeler (Illinois Irish 17U)
Wheeler plays at Tolono Unity. The 6’5” small forward really shoots it well from deep. We liked what we saw out of him drilling shots consistently from beyond the three point arc. Pure shooting stroke with great mechanics. Will be interesting to track how his overall game evolves this spring.
PG Bailey Dee (Illinois Irish 17U)
Dee is the man running the show for the Irish 17U. The Champaign Central 6’0” lead guard is coming off a strong junior campaign where he was able to show he is more than just a scorer. The stocky built guard is a tough cover when he gets a head of steam behind him. Gets dribble penetration and has explosive speed pushing in transition. As a scorer he finishes with runners in the lane and pull up mid-range jump shots. Tough prospect that is a D2/low-major guy right now.