Next up – WG’s to watch…

Next up – WG’s to watch…“Nothing to diminish or dismiss their accomplishments”

A.J. Youngman        6-3                           LM+                         Peoria Manual/Mean Streets

Heavy-leg shooter; highly-billed but my observation of him could be somewhat tainted.

Montrell Barnes      6-1                           LM+                         Chicago North Lawndale/?

I saw this athletic scorer late season and walked out of the gym impressed. A gamer I need to see more.

Josiah Wallace        6-3                           LM+-LM- Marshall (IL)/Pocket City

Plays somewhat in obscurity, but he is a favorite of mine - skilled deceptive athlete, fairly good shooter, decided not to roll the dice with recruiting. Committed to Southern Indiana where he will be dynamite.

Jamal Lee              6-3                           LM+-LM   Bloom/?

He can put the ball in the hoop but we need to see more of him.

Craig Beaudion       6-3                           LM+-LM   Chicago Young/Mean Streets

Transferred to Young H.S. after two respectable years at Foreman H.S. Thin combo who can score. Eventually could become a point guard.

Denis Albegovic      6-3           LM+-LM   Downer’s  Grove South/ Wisconsin Playground Elite

I pegged him wrong last summer, he hasn’t shown much growth in his game since then;

viewed as a specialist - out-side marksman.

Chris Hammel        6-4                           LM                           Evanston/Hoops Avenue

Out-side threat; doesn’t play enough in-space; needs to improve in that area. Intriguing prospect.

Simeon Henton       6-3                           LM                           Zion-Benton/N.L.P.

Thin combo, can be wild at times, has some flair to his game; needs polishing, Juco may be a good destination.

Henry Trelenberg   6-2                           LM-D2                     Riverside-Brookfield/All-In Athletics

Plays with confidence & poise makes big shots has good feel for climate.

Jose Grubbs             6-2                           LM-D2                     Joliet Central/Illinois Stars

Very efficient player thrives on all around play; makes shots and plays within his limitations. Good defender eventually could become a primary lead guard.

Zac Rzewnicki        6-3                           LM-D2                     Ridgewood/?

We need to see him a tad more; had a terrific school year; a proven reliable shooter.

Top 2017 Shooting Guards

Top 2017 Shooting Guards

“a class that looms mediocrity, clearly this position could produce some potential stand-out”

Name                          HT                Level                          School/Club-Team

1.     Jordan Goodwin          6-4                        HM                                Belleville Althoff/St. Louis Eagles

This kid is a tenacious winner, he plays multiple positions - nationally acclaim recruit.  Things are heating-up!

2.     Da’Monte Williams    6-3                           HM                          Peoria Manual/Mac Irvin Fire

Right now he is considered as an off-guard, good athlete has the ability to score, but often plagued by inconsistency. Illini recruit.

3.      Nojel Eastern             6-5                           MM+                       Evanston/Mean Streets

He would be a coup if he decides to stay home and play for Northwestern or DePaul. Eastern’s selling points is his versatility, he provides the luxury of an additional ball-handler. Spotty played this weekend in Atlanta.

4.     Javon Pickett              6-4                           MM+-MM               Belleville East/Illinois Jets

The spring hasn’t been grand, but this sleek Illinois recruit can be an intangible plug for most successful teams/programs.  

5.     Nana Akenten            6-5                           MM+-MM               Bolingbrook/Celtics Hoopers

His game has evolved with improved out-side shooting, things are looking promising for him.  Very good athlete likely will have a terrific senior year which could vault him into the top 10 category in our area. Currently in the 12 proximity, expect him to perform in the corridors of auxiliary gyms in July with his Band of Bolingbrook-Aurora-Romeoville Cronies. UNLV in the picture and Illinois State.

6.     Demarius Jacobs       6-3                          MM                         Uplift/All-In Athletics

When he’s not shucking & jiving and looking dis-engaged he’s a terrific talent; a graceful performer smooth jump shooter- suburb athlete that needs to get stronger.

7.     Dwayne Rose              6-2                           MM                         Crete-Monee/ Team Rose

Great body-excellent first step, explosive performer-inconsistent shooter needs to expand his range and improve ball-handling and decision making.  “Polishing required”.

8.     Jason Towers           6-2                           MM                         St. Joseph/Chicago Demons

“Starting to emerge as a sure-fire mid-major recruit”.  His late season flurry of athletic plays helped guide St. Joe’s to a surprising 4A finish; makes clutch shots on a perimeter; ball handling has shown improvement. In transition he can be breath-taking at times.

9.     Kawanise Wilkins       6-4                           MM                 Chicago Farragut/Chicago Admirals

Vastly underrated big guard with ball-handling ability, capable of making huge plays/shots. A gamer plays with a wealth of confidence “has ice-water in his veins”. Could blow-up after the summer sessions.

10.  Marvin Bateman        6-5                           MM                         Belleville Althoff/Illinois Jets

I’m giving him his props, he’s a reliable marksman-a specialist type. Ball-handling and other aspects of his game does need to be re-fined, but he is an effective system type recruit.

11.  Zac Couper                  6-4                           MM-LM+ Rockford Boylan/Team RWA

Sort of an unknown prospect in the Chicago area until this past season.  Attacks the rim well has a good feel for his surroundings-shoots it with efficiency- even from distance; superb passer; MAC Conference could be a good fit.

12.  Tyler Chism                 6-3                           MM-LM+ Proviso East/All-In Athletics

This kid will always have a special place in my heart, destined to make something special out of himself after losing his dad at a young age. Now has to prove himself after a quiet junior campaign at East. A slasher with scoring capabilities, his focus should be on improving perimeter shooting & academics. I’m supporting his efforts.

13.  Oliver Stephens          6-4                           LM+                         Edwardsville/Illinois Jets

Remarkable out-side shooter and a surprising good athlete; probably has been the Jets most consistent performer this spring; could be a dandy summit league recruit.

14.  Maurice Edwards        6-3                           M+                           Alton/Illinois Jets

Chiseled-cut-lad, has enormous tools/gifts, but flounders in mediocrity at times. Been hampered by ankle injury thus far; likely Junior College recruit.

15.  Carlos Hines                6-4                     LM+             Chicago North Lawndale/Illinois Ice 

                                              Men

Athletic perimeter shooter, in fact he spends a great deal of time away hoisting shots on the perimeter; we like to see him attack the rim more and be a willing defender.