Illinois Scouting: Holiday Tournaments 2016 Part 1
PrepHoopsIllinois was all over the state of Illinois scouting and evaluating prospects during the Holiday Tournaments. Here we break down some of the top 2016 players we saw in part 1 of our look at the senior class. PF…
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Continue ReadingPrepHoopsIllinois was all over the state of Illinois scouting and evaluating prospects during the Holiday Tournaments. Here we break down some of the top 2016 players we saw in part 1 of our look at the senior class.
PF Nick Rakocevic (St. Joseph’s)
Rakocevic has been a whole different player than the one saw on the travel team circuit. The 6’11” center has made significant strides in a multitude of areas. First is his demeanor as he is much more under control of his emotions not getting too high or low throughout games. He is encouraging and the clear leader of his team. The top uncommitted senior in the state played with a greatly improved motor. He runs the floor consistently, is active on both ends, and engaged every possession. Rakocevic makes quick moves in the post and did most of his damage there not drifting to the perimeter. He dominated on the interior by using the glass to grab rebounds at a high rate and bank shots in off the backboard. Plus shot blocking presence with his length and mobility. He played like one of the best players in the state going for 16 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 blocks. High major prospect.
PG Charlie Moore (Morgan Park)
After Rakocevic put on a show at Proviso West to open the event the other leading contender for Mr. Basketball answered! The 5’11” point guard put on a show against Dunbar. What makes Moore such a dynamic player is when one part of his game isn’t fully on he has plenty of other ways to beat you. Against St. Mel his shot from three wasn’t falling consistently like usual. He still got buckets. Moore is quick and shifty with the rock getting in the lane at will finishing with runners and floaters inside. Pull up jumper from mid-range is a plus weapon. His defense gets his offense going as he pressures the ball all over the floor creating steals and points on the other end in the transition game. The Memphis commit had 27 points, 3 assists, and 8 steals.
SG Antonio Williams (Proviso East)
In his first game back the uncommitted senior shooting guard put on a show on a floor he knows well! The 6’0” shooting guard is uber athletic and plays with a never ending motor. He gets after it on both ends of the floor and is a game changer in transition playing above the rim. Williams is great attacking the basket off the bounce and has the ability to change directions quickly in the lane while having tremendous body control finishing. Jump shot continues to make progress particularly from mid-range. He hit the glass at a good clip particularly on the offensive end. Passed it well for an off guard. He is a pressure defender that has active hands. He had 24 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals. He is getting looked at by some D2 schools, but will most likely be one of the most coveted JUCO targets in the state.
PG Mike Smith (Fenwick)
Smith is one of the most underrated prospects from Illinois in my opinion. I don’t understand what more people want from him. He wins, can score, dishes it, and defends. The 5’9” point guard has the ball on a string doing a great job of getting in the lane drawing defenders and kicking to open teammates. He has a feel for finding his shooters particularly fellow senior Mike Ballard. The senior lead guard is an adequate shooter pulling up from both mid-range and three although he can be streaky at times. Defensively did well guarding Von Steuben’s top scorer holding him down while checking him in the first half. Smith had 12 points and 4 assists. Needs to be on the low-major radar for more teams!
SG James Jones (Bogan)
Jones is a big 6’4” shooting guard that is athletic. The Buffalo commit has go to scorer ability at the next level. He is a plus pull up jump shooter that knocks them down in transition on a regular basis. Also is a three point threat. Gets height and elevation on his shot. Showed the ability to get to get to the rack particularly in transition. Jones had 21 points on 9-17 from the field. Top 15 prospect in the senior class.
C Liddell Davis (Proviso West)
At 6’7” Davis is a big bodied post that has a good feel around the hoop. He has soft hands in the paint and knows how to position his body to score on the block sealing and finishing with strength inside. Davis shoots a high percentage on his shot attempts. Plus rebounder that snatches them with his big hands. Davis went for 15 points (5-8 FG) and 10 rebounds. Worth consideration at the D2 level and would be phenomenal get at the D3/NAIA/JUCO level.
SG Skyler Nash (Riverside Brookfield)
Nash walked past me on press row in the second half and said “I’m Back!” Yes he is! After a summer where he faced serious health issues and then a transfer to Riverside Brookfield he is back on the court and showing the potential that has always been there. Nash is a chiseled 6’5” wing with tremendous strength and athleticism. He used that a couple times around the rim. Nash was most effective using his jump shot which looked the best we have ever seen it. He gets elevation and arc. They were raining in from three! He had 16 points including four triples. If Nash continues to play like this he will be one of the more coveted uncommitted prospects down the home stretch.
PF Lorenzo Edwards (Lake Forest)
At 6’7” Edwards has a lot of intriguing tools. His strength allows him to play physical around the hoop while he maintains a feel for scoring on the block. Edwards can score with his back to the basket, facing up, and even hitting a mid-range jumper on occasion. He backs his man in getting deep position and then scores through them. Defensively he is a sound post defender and clears the glass at a high rate. Edwards had 18 points and 14 rebounds. Needs to be on mid-major’s priority lists as one of the best uncommitted prospects in Illinois.
PG AJ Hunter (Larkin)
Hunter is a combo guard that is a scorer first. He can handle it and shows shake on occasion going through traffic. Best in the open floor looking to get buckets in the transition game. D3/NAIA/JUCO prospect.
SG Jamal Burton (Morgan Park)
The 6’3” shooting guard continues to boost his stock with a strong senior campaign. He has a relentless motor and is all over the floor. Really knows how to get on the offensive glass with his athleticism and motor. He is best finishing inside with athleticism around the rim and getting out in the open floor. The perimeter jumper wasn’t falling like it was when we saw him in early December. If this area improves he is a no doubt D1 kid. Pressure defender that makes plays at the top of their 1-3-1 zone as well as being able to get steals in the full court. High D2 prospect that is trending toward a potential low-major scholarship. He had 13 points.
SG Tajuan Johnson (Proviso East)
Johnson is a 6’3” combo guard that has been making some noise as a senior. He has very active hands defensively with his rangy frame. Quick athlete that excels in transition and has the ability to get to the free throw line. D3/NAIA/JUCO candidate.
SF Willie Greenwood (Proviso East)
Greenwood has a nice combination of size and strength at 6’5”. He uses his physical body to finish around the hoop and get out in transition. Projectable prospect with upside. Small college player that could have his best basketball ahead of him.
SG Mike Ballard (Fenwick)
Plus shooter that can really let it fly in the catch and shoot. He is among the best pure shooters in the state of Illinois. Also has better athleticism than people give him credit. A D2 program that needs a shooter would be wise to check him out. Steal at the D3/NAIA level.
PF Meriton Bujaku (Von Steuben)
The 6’7” Bujaku is a face up four man that started off slow, but got it going in the second half. Smooth looking jump shot and he loves to shoot from beyond the arc in the pull up game. Didn’t rebound at a particularly high rate. Solid small college prospect who had 10 points.
PF Jaylen Johnson (Von Steuben)
The rangy 6’7” power forward is long and a quality athlete. His length allows him to be effective on the defensive end blocking shots and is a sound area rebounder. The lefty is raw offensively, but with some refinement could be a nice find for a small college.