Next Level Invitational: Wednesday Standouts
PrepHoopsIllinois opened up the July live period with the NY2LA Sports Next Level Invitational in Mequon, Wisconsin. This event features a ton of prospects from Illinois and we will have wall to wall coverage throughout the next five days. Here are the standouts from Wednesday night’s opening round of games.
PG Josh Berry (Mercury Elite Fano 17U)
We were impressed with what this Lyons Township 6’1” point guard showed at the Chicago High Academic Camp last week. He was able to display his full repertoire with his travel team. Berry is naturally a pass first guard that threaded the needle on several occasions connecting on passes to teammates. Was particularly effective hitting cutters on the move for layups. As a scorer he connected on a pair of deep threes. Also pushed it in the open floor and was a solid ball handler. Went for 16 points.
G Will King (All-In Athletics Braverman 17U)
King is a 6’4” combo guard that stood out again. He isn’t going to wow you with his athleticism, but he is a crafty combo guard that knows how to play the game. Handles it well in the open floor and has plus vision as a distributor making the correct pass on a regular basis. Made plays in the drive and kick. Rebounds well for his position. Not a huge scoring game, but did flash his three point stroke.
SG Fillip Bulatovic (All-In Athletics Braverman 17U)
Bulatovic is a two guard from Maine South that flies a bit under the radar, but this kid can play! He is best as a spot up shooter with a clean release from three. Plays really hard. At times he is a bit wild and missed some layups, but you will take the aggression he plays with any day. Got on the glass for a put back. Productive scoring wing with sneaky athleticism.
G Sean Houpt (Illinois Irish 17U)
Houpt is a favorite of ours with the competitiveness he brings to the table on both ends of the floor. The Danville combo guard opened the game in front of a large number of college coaches drilling a pair of threes. Mixed in a couple tough takes. Like what he brings defensively as he is a pit bull at the point of attack.
SF Landon Wolfe (Illinois Irish 17U)
This Effingham small forward started off a bit slow, but then got it rolling. He didn’t hit a ton of jumpers like usual, but the one he did connect on was impressive crossing his man and then pulling up all in one motion. Most of his scores came on crafty drives where he finished through contact at the rim for and-1’s or drifted floaters over the defense.
SG Justin Eagins (Mercury Elite Thomas 17U)
Eagins is an undersized shooting guard at 6’1” that can flat out stroke it from the perimeter. That is exactly what he did in this game. He came out hot shooting from the beginning and kept it up throughout the contest. Plus spot up sniper that also displayed he could get off his own three creating space with a step back. Was solid on the glass and went coast to coast on one drive for an impressive bucket.
SG Mitch Mascari (Mercury Elite Thomas 17U)
After watching Mascari on Wednesday night we clearly have him too low in the rankings. We hadn’t seen the Geneva shooting guard play in a while. He has gotten taller and a lot stronger since we last saw him. He is a smooth scoring wing that likes to attack off the bounce and score on athletic drives to the cup. He did that on a regular basis in their opener. Converted some tough layups. Moves well without the ball including getting a bucket on a back cut.
SF Anthony Roberts (Made Men 17U)
Roberts is a 6’4” small forward that plays bigger than his height. The OPRF forward rebounded well in traffic snatching them with two hands. Offensively he works best out of the high post. Connected on a three and had a pair of sweet takes to the hoop. One where he crossed his man and another with a strong rip followed by a layup at the cup.