Looking Forward: 2019 Prospects
What players are we most looking forward to seeing this upcoming season? There can be a variety of reasons we are really anticipating seeing these prospects. Here is our group of 2019 players.
SG Perry Cowan (DePaul Prep)
Cowan has all the ability in the world. He has size for position, the ability to score at all three levels, and plus athleticism. Cowan didn’t put it all together like we thought it would this summer. We believe he is primed for a big season as he will be the primary scoring option and have the ball in his hands. High-major college coaches are closely monitoring his high school season.
SF Bryant Brown (Waukegan)
Brown was Cowan’s running mate with the Illinois Wolves. He flashed ability, but for a top 5 player in his class the production wasn’t quite where we hoped it would be. He has the physical tools to be a mid-major plus/high-major minus type player. Skilled enough to handle it, drill pull up, and can defend. Will be the guy this year at Waukegan. Think he is ready for a breakout season.
C Ciaran Brayboy (New Trier)
Brayboy is more prospect than player at this stage. We love his size, frame, and athleticism on the interior. He has the ability to finish and block shots, but it isn’t consistent. He will team up with fellow D1 prospect Spencer Boehm to form one of the best front courts in the state this season. Mid-major and even some Big 10 programs will be checking out his progress.
SG Myles Baker (Whitney Young)
Baker is interesting because he has been on the radar for a long time as he has been a mainstay in the top 10 since this class came into high school, but he has only seen limited minutes on the high school level for the Dolphins. Was injured in the spring. It is a big season for this athletic scoring guard with mid-major upside.
SG Anthony Fairlee (Springfield Southeast)
Fairlee is the best athlete in the state period! That has never been in question. In July he started to show some progression on his skill set and jump shot. Rumor is he has taken it up even since then and is primed for a monster junior campaign. Fairlee has low-major/mid-major ability if the skill clicks this season.
SG Dajuan Gordon (Curie)
Gordon exploded on our radar back in the spring for Team Rose. The long and lanky shooting guard made a high debut in the rankings based on his potential and three point shooting. He will need to back it up this season for Curie to keep his spot and for college coaches to take notice.
SF Deng Reng (Wheaton North)
Reng is a wing that flies under the radar. Long and rangy forward that is versatile and can score in a variety of ways. Defensively he has the potential to be very good when he locks in. Could be a break out player both from a high school and recruiting standpoint.
SG Lance Jones (Evanston)
Jones had several big games for Meanstreets on the circuit and others where he wasn’t as noticeable. The talent definitely flashed and his ranking along with recruitment picked up because of it. Scoring undersized two guard that just gets buckets. With Nojel Eastern gone it is his team!
PF CJ Wilbourn (Normal Community)
The depth of post players just isn’t there in the 2019 class. One player that could benefit from that is Wilbourn. He had a strong July for Quad City Elite protecting the rim, rebounding, and showing more offensive skill than we had seen in the past. Wilbourn should draw some mid-major and low-major attention if he does his job this season.
PF Charlie Hoehne (Oak Park River Forest)
Hoehne is one of the least talked about players that we thought had a quality spring/summer. With Made Men he showed pick and pop ability, athleticism running the floor, and finished around the hoop great. With added strength he could be an intriguing prospect. Flashed last year for OPRF, but with the graduation of their bigs look for him to take on a bigger role and college coaches at the low-major and D2 levels should be monitoring.
PG Bryce Bultman (Nashville)
Bultman stands at 6’4” with great size for the point guard position. Incredible feel and vision at the lead guard spot. Understands the game and gets others involved. Jump shot is also making strides. Big fan of what he did with the Illinois Bears and now it will be his show to run at Nashville who is one of the best small school programs in southern Illinois.
SF Evan Taylor (Glenbard West)
Taylor is someone that to be honest we haven’t seen a lot of. He wasn’t at a ton of events we were at throughout the spring and summer, but from what have seen he is intriguing with his length and scoring ability. At Glenbard West he should be able to showcase better his skills. Really looking forward to seeing him during the season!
SF Jeremiah Oden (St. Rita)
Oden might be one of the top on this list. He wowed us a year ago at the PrepHoops Camp with his length, athleticism, and skill potential. Just jumped off the floor! Then he hardly saw the floor at all for St. Rita all year as a sophomore. During the spring and summer the production and playing time just wasn’t there. He is going to switch over to Team RWA next spring and he is garnering D1 offers and interest. Oden absolutely has mid-major ability, but we have yet to see him put it together for a full game or event. Can’t wait to monitor his progress!