Top 30 2016 Prospects In Illinois
“Hoop followers in our state continue to debate over who is the no. 1 player in the class, the consensus may point toward St. Joe’s Rakocevic for now. The class overall is subpar.
1. Nick Rakocevic 6-9 F HM St. Joseph
Still developing physically, but at times lack maturity, but he’s versatile scorer who can take on defenders on the perimeter and shoot over the top of the. Not that it matters much, he has the highest ranking nationally among the state’s juniors.
2. Rapolas Ivanauskas 6-9 F HM Barrington
Once he strengthens that frame of his, we would have witnessed the growth of a high-scoring multi-talented European star. He reminds me if a player from the 70’s or 80’s.
3. Barret Benson 6-10 C HM Hinsdale South
The big fella with a feathery touch, more of a face-up threat now, has strung together some monster outings of late, recording over thirty points and twenty rebound performances in numerous weeks; this kind of out-put within the last month has his confidence soaring; Big 10 schools , Stanford & Georgetown in pursuit. He should be a priority for Illinois.
4. Isaiah Roby 6-8 SF HM-MM+ Dixon
He’s having a superb season, the Nebraska recruit and his mates have revitalized the small farming town. Isaiah is developing into one of those players that impact a game with a double digit stat line in various categories. “Nebraska landed a gem!”
5. Jerry Myles 6-5 WF HM-MM+ East Moline
This talented south-paw has hopped around a little bit the last few years, but now he’s finally found some footing, while being surrounded by strong mentors. Myles got off to a slow start this season, suffering from some personal hardships, now he’s on-track energizing the squad to an eight game winning streak before it was snapped Fri nite (01/30/15) in a 64-61 defeat to arch rival Moline; Myles dropped thirty in that contest.
6. Zach Norvell 6-4 G/F MM+-MM Chicago Simeon
Just received an offer from University Illinois, he combines a package of competitiveness, toughness & defensive tools to impact a game even when his offense isn’t in full throttle. “Very productive performer, things are looking up for the lefty.”
7. Devin Gage 6-3 G MM+-MM Chicago Curie
Very talented combo, consistency continues to factor in on some spotty outings by him and his team; but with the city play-offs looming near expect Gage to have his offensive arsenal on full display. “DePaul loves his promising up-side!”
8. Charlie Moore 5-10 PG MM+-MM Chicago Morgan Park
Brings winning intangibles to any team; he’s already rock’n 2 State Championship rings. He’s tough as nails and possess a knack for making huge shots in big game settings. “Our state colleges can’t allow him to leave the state.”
9. Darias Oliver 6-5 WF MM+-MM Chicago Leo
Based on his stat’s he’s deserving of a top 10 recognition; perhaps one of the top scorers in the junior class; he can get you buckets; 2nd leading scorer in the Catholic League. “Oliver’s recruiting is starting to heat-up.”
10. Brandon Johnson 6-7 F MM+-MM T.F. South
In most years he won’t he wouldn’t be considered a top 10 nominee, but with a class that lacks depth and no budding NBA lottery pick, it falls in the category as subpar; excellent frame; good athlete and uncanny passing ability, but lacks an understanding of the game; certainly doesn’t know how to utilize his tools; stands around way too much; once he gets some coaching & strength as well as a dose of energy, he could be a gem one day.
11. Micah Bradford 6-2 PG MM+-MM Bradley Bourbonnais
Scratch all of the malarkey about “is he tough or is he soft?” What Micah demonstrates is shrewd heady play! He’s a slick ball-handler, makes good reads when doubled & tripled teamed and he has a torch on his J from long range. “One of the top point-guards in the state regardless of class.”
12. Lorenzo Edwards 6-7 SF MM+ Lake Forest
“Great hands; very good length; feathery shooting touch; huge upside; best days ahead; excellent shot-blocker; limited ball-handler; rapidly improving player; he will eventually be a top 10 player in the 2016 class.
13. A. J. Beckett 6-8 WF MM+-MM Champaign Central
Currently sitting-out the season after transferring over from Centennial, A.J. could be one of the more talented players in the class; he’s thin now, but possess guard skills and the ability to knock-down shots on the perimeter. “Big spring/summer.”
14. James Jones 6-3 WG MM Chicago Bogan
A high-flyer who has lost some zip after lofty preseason expectations for him and his under achieving team. Jones has labored in some spotty performances this season in big game settings. He has a chance to be redeem himself soon!
15. Travon Bell 6-2 WG MM Chicago Mather
A
3 year starter, he’s starting to come into his own; Bell had eight 3
pointers finishing with 33 points vs Simeon in a first round play-off
loss, then came back two days later in a nonconference tangle with
vocational and torched them for 30. “He’s for real!”
16. Keymonte Johnson 6-4 WF MM Decatur MacArthur
This
long-armed lefty is one of my favorites in the 2016 class; he brings
all-around intangibles to the court that is so essential in winning;
Keymonte is a productive performer even when he isn’t scoring in double
digits. “Vastly under-rated now, by spring that will change.”
17. Zion Morgan 6-1 WG MM Chicago Kenwood
He’s
more comfortable playing off-the-ball; a potential 2-way player who
swould probably excel in more of a system environment (Northern Iowa)
quickly comes to mind; limited offensively now, but he’s got a promising
future & superb attitude.
18. Tarkus Ferguson 6-3 WG MM Belleville Althoff
Athletic wing with some 3 point shooting ability; can handle adequately and needs to build off the performance he had against St. Joes where he sparkled with 25 points; consistency will be his deal.
19. Terrell Phipps 6-7 SF MM Chicago Al Raby
Promising prospect; has started to add some ingredients to his offensive game; I may have him evaluated a tad below where we once had him; Phipps is a defensive swatter, once he adds some strength to his frame, things could spin upward.
20. Nick Robinson 6-5 WF MM Chicago Kenwood
Within the last month we’ve noticed he’s started to put parts of his game together, particularly on the offensive end; sometimes expectations can be a burden for young players.
21. Matty Smith 5-9 PG MM South-Elgin
He could be a lethal jump-shooter or a threat attacking the rim, in fact he’s made a strong case for himself as PG, satisfying some of offensive game for sake of helping his young team-mates develop.
22. Mike Smith 5-9 PG MM Fenwick
He’s proving to have the patience & intelligence to run a team; he’s a 3 year starter, Mike probably would be more successful in a system type environment.
23. Brandon Gooch 6-6 WF MM Belleville Althoff
Teases
you with his length & ability to drain jumpers on the perimeter,
but has a tendency to drift at stretches, capable ball-handler as well.
Gooch may not know it, but a true test awaits on Sat – Feb 7th versus
St. Joes in O’Fallon, a great setting to evaluate.
24. Rodney Herenton 6-1 PG MM Chicago Young
Capable
of playing on both sides of the ball; a system type, versatile enough
to play a variety of roles for his team. “A winner with a great
attitude & super student.”
25. Nate Kennell 6-5 WG MM Metamora
This sharp shooter had 52 versus Westinghouse a few weeks ago, then came back with a twenty-five point out-burst 2 games later, all against defense’s designed for stopping him; he’s already bagged several Div I mid-major offers.
26. Elyjah Goss 6-7 SF MM Plainfield East
Very good athlete; skills still somewhat raw, after the season he needs to put in some work with ball-handling, shooting, while attempting to understand how to utilize those skills in a game setting. “Dynamite frame with a wealth of potential; now he has to put the work in!”
27. Xavier Bishop 5-7 PG MM Springfield Lanphier
Exciting little lefty; settles for a lot of jump shots; his emphasis has to turn towards play-making and X has the tools to provide that component.
28. Chris Harris 6-3 G MM Lake Forest Academy
Strong bodied athletic combo; has played in obscurity after leaving Loyola Academy; he’s a prospect to watch; capable of being explosive; perimeter shooting may need some work; he had a quality showing in Canada recently where Lake Forest Academy won the 2 day event.
29. Chris Duff 6-1 G MM-LM+ Carmel
“Combo with the ability to score; he’s already committed to Western Illinois; C.J. may be zeroing in on some scoring records at the north suburban schools.
30. George Wilbourn 6-2 G MM De LaSalle
Has offensive ability, but tends to be lax during stretches of a game; a silk-smooth talent us observers want to view a little more arsenal from him consistently.
31. Bryce Barnes 5-10 PG MM-LM+ Chicago Bogan
Stock to a dip in recent months, marred in a situation as to what his role should be this season. His biggest problem we see is his indecisiveness on the floor; things aren’t flowing for him.
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