PrepHoops Top 250: Scotty B’s 2021 Evals Pt 1

<p>Time to move into an examination of the 2021 prospects that participated over the weekend in the PrepHoops Top 250 Camp.  Right now the overall view is this class is trending upwards with more names emerging each event we attend.  Let’s look at some of them in <strong>PrepHoops Top 250: Scotty B’s 2021 Evals Part 1</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Ola Ajiboye (Von Steuben – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Ajiboye is one of the top post prospects in the 2021 class in the state of Illinois.  The 6’6” long and lanky four man runs the floor so easy.  Excellent rim runner that gets points that way in transition.  The skill set is really starting to emerge being able to face up using jab steps, mid-range jumpers, and putting it on the deck at times.  Defensively and on the glass are his biggest strengths at this stage.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Tai Walters (Homewood Flossmoor – 2021)</strong></p> <p>It was probably the best we have seen this 6’1” lefty play.  Combo guard with a rangy frame.  He forced a couple shots, but also knocked down some triples and finished around the basket.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Connor Davis (Neuqua Valley – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Davis is a wing that has strength and can shoot the basketball.  The area I liked seeing was his improvement athletically and defensively.  Showed well on that end of the floor moving his feet.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>TJ Price (Springfield Lanphier – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Price is an angular combo guard with good length.  Did a nice job getting to the rim off the bounce.  Clean looking jumper which he steps into with confidence from mid-range.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Matt Williams (Peoria Notre Dame – 2021)</strong></p> <p>First time seeing Williams since last high school season.  Couple things stood out.  He seemed bigger and stronger than we last remembered.  Also seems to have improved athletically which was shown on a couple explosive takes to the hoop for dunks.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Troy D’Amico (Niles Notre Dame – 2021)</strong></p> <p>D’Amico is one of the top wing prospects in the 2021 class.  At 6’6” he has excellent size for position.  He has a feel for the game and always seems to be in the right spot at the right time.  The junior consistently finished well around hoop on drives and dump offs.  Started another game bombing in an array of triples.  Advanced offensive weapon with such versatility!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Brian Tyler (Peoria Manual – 2021)</strong></p> <p>This 6’2” Manual product proved to be an adequate rebounder from his two guard spot and also was able to knock in a three.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Connor Barnett (Fulton – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Barnett is one of the true sleeper prospects in central Illinois in the 2021 class.  We saw him with the Iowa Mavs and came away impressed this spring.  Listed at 6’2” he seems bigger with a strong upper body and broad shoulders.  This kid can flat out shoot the basketball!  Clean and easy stroke which he knocked down with regularity from both mid-range and three!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Phillip Berryhill (Curie – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Berryhill is a prospect that we will be tracking closely this season.  He has tremendous projectability with his size and length.  Early in the day he struggled not knocking down shots, but later in the day he started getting rolling drilling a pick and pop three and getting loose in transition.  One of the more intriguing 2021s to monitor this season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Brian Mathews (DePaul Prep – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Mathews checks in as the #3 center in the 2021 class with excellent size and strength at 6’9”.  High level area rebounder that snatches them out of the air consistently.  Showed well defensively being a wall inside and blocking a few shots.  Finished well on his touches including a nice spin move on the block.  Also like him as a screener.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Ashawn Burbridge (Joliet West – 2021)</strong></p> <p>High energy and undersized four man did what he does.  Played really hard and made an impact on the glass and defensive end.  His offensive identity is still a work in progress.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Michael Rheintgen (Downers Grove South – 2021)</strong></p> <p>This forward intrigued us during the spring and summer.  He high points rebounds in traffic.  Flashes footwork around the basket, but needs to get stronger to finish at a higher rate.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Matthew Hawkins (Mount Carmel – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Thick bodied shooting guard that caught fire from three for a stretch in one of the games we saw him play.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Christian Armstrong (Conant – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Armstrong is a point guard that pushes in the open floor and finished well around the rim throughout the day.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Ante Acosta (Joliet Catholic – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Acosta is a three point shooting threat that can knock down triples from deep at a solid clip.  The junior is at his best spotting up, but did hit a long range pull up as well.  Scrappy defender.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Jacob Folkerts (Glenbard South – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Folkerts displayed more of a perimeter game than we had seen in the past.  Also used his mobility to covert at the rim on up and unders.</p> <p><strong>Justin Lowe (Chicago Christian – 2021)</strong></p> <p>Lowe is a tough 6’3” two guard that made his noise getting on the offensive glass for put backs.</p>