Back Spin Rumblings

Back Spin Rumblings 
Six Foot Eleven East St. Louis Native, Jeremiah Tilmon, has been shelved for several months now with a shoulder injury. He hasn’t suited up for his club team, the St. Louis Eagles. Tilmon, a top 30 ranked prospect decided on Monday (7/11) that the Fighting Illini would be his school of choice. Now his focus can resume on improving his academics. Tilmon a highly regarded big man was a huge pickup for Illinois.

During the first session of the “Live Period”, several players opened some eyes with notable performances. Five-Eleven scoring guard, Treyvon Williams, had a nice showing with Yanders Law 17-U group; he strung together a string of quality games in recent months, enough to garner division one interest.

Marvin Nesbit sparkled with the Chicago Demons in Bolingbrook, the Butler Charter six foot three athletic wing has aligned himself with some Mid-Major interest.

St. Louis Eagles cast-off, Noah Frederking, showed up in Bolingbrook with the Illinois Bears squad; The six foot four Okawville guard lid up defenders in several big outings. Eastern Illinois, SIU-E, and Western Illinois are rumored to be involved with him.

St. Joe’s 2018 combo guard, Ahmad Muhamad, played well in Milwaukee with his Kessel Heat team, displaying some ability to play point guard.

Morgan Taylor, a six foot one 2018 point guard, scored at a high- clip in Romeoville. He suits up with the Fast Break.

MaCarthur Twins Armon and Amir were terrific in Indianapolis, both showcased a penchant for flair as well as ability to score in bunches.

Ayo, Verge, Justin Smith, Tim Finke, Darius Beane, Talen Horton-Tucker and Kezo Brown all played well in Georgia at the Nike Peach Jam. Nevertheless coaches and viewers were smitten with the potential of six foot ten Normal West highly touted 2019 prospect Francis Okoro (St. Louis Eagles).

West Chicago play-maker Tai Bibbs was also good in Milwaukee. He drew wave reviews with his staller play.

Marian Catholics, Chase Adams, was electric in Milwaukee while schoolmate Brandon Hurt had his game in full throttle during the Adidas Circuit.

“We are heading to the next Live Open Period where viewers will only have a selective memory on the first session of play”..

Post-Men

Post-Men

Name                               HT                          Level                             School/Club Team               

Chris Johnson                6’8”                         MM-LM+                  Naperville North/Unknown

“Excellent footwork, scored well around the rim.  Plays effectively with his back to the basket.”

Jalen Shaw                     6’8”                            ---                   Elgin-Larkin/Unknown

“Awfully raw prospect, we will keep an eye on him.”

Strong Forward

Strong Forward

(This position already has some depth)

Name                             HT                          Level                             School/Club Team               

RaeKwon Drake                   6’5”                         MM                   Chicago ORR/Unknown

“Big time athlete.  All- around skills starting to develop. A good Horizon or MAC recruit.”

Treavon Martin                   6’7”                         MM                Chicago Curie/Team Rose

“Rapidly improving his play.  Offensive game starting to surface more; plays hard!”

Orlando Allen                    6’7”                         MM                       Thornton/SYF

“Played well at NYLA event, shot it well, will transition to the wing soon.  Good athlete.”

Ryan Davis                                          6’8”                           MM                       Conant/Unknown

“Wide body, skilled, knows how to score, somewhat unproven.”

Connor Niego                       6’8”                         MM                 Lyons Township/Team Lock-Down

“Promising prospect, haven’t seen enough of him yet. “

Toraze Babbs                       6’5”                         MM                         Chicago Uplift/All-In Athletics

“A physical specimen, enforcer type, can score around the rim and rebound.”

Massiah Jones                    6’4”                         MM                          Chicago Simeon/Mean Streets

“Played well at the Nike Peach Jam.  One of the state’s top athletes.”

Jordan Boyd                                      6’5”                         LM+                        St. Joseph/Mean Streets

 “Still a work in progress.  Didn’t receive enough minutes during the first live period.”

Marquise Carter               6’5”                         LM                           Al Raby/ All-In Athletics

“3.7 GPA.  A rugged performer along the baseline; still raw offensively, he’s only been playing a couple of years.”

Tyreese Martin                 6’7”                         LM                           Chicago Curie/Team Rose

“Slowly developing; still a project.”

Adrian Williams                              6’4”                         LM+              Decatur Macarthur/Decatur Warriors

“Strong and athletic, finishes around the rim.  Shot is starting to improve.”

Wing Forwards

Wing Forwards

(Thin at this position now)

 Name                          HT                          Level                             School/Club Team               

Tim Finke                  6’6”                         HM                     Champaign Central/St. Louis Eagles

“Skilled and reliable performer; played well at the Nike Peach Jam.”

Malik Hall                     6’5”                       MM+-               Metea Valley/Mean Streets

“Rumored to be transferring to a prep school.  Has a world of talent.”

Devonire Glass                  6’6”                         MM                       Chicago Simeon/SYF

“Bouncy athlete gets to the rim; still raw but his game is starting to take shape.”

Robert Harden                   6’4”                         MM                         Hillcrest/ All-In Athletics

“Made his mark in June.  Has knack for coming up with clutch buckets”

Naseer Turner                     6’5”                         MM              Chicago Kenwood/Chicago Demons

“Sleek and smooth; awfully intriguing.  We need to see toughness and consistency.”

Jake Kosokowski               6’5”                         MM                       Chicago Young/Team Rose

“Perimeter threat.  Needs to be more consistent in his overall play.  ‘The potential is there, he is currently playing well on the circuit.”

Jalen Boyd                         6’5”                         MM-                        St. Joseph/Mean Streets

“Right now he’s a rebounder that plays within his limitations.  Good finisher with huge upside.”

Bacari Simmons               6’5”                         LM+-                       Chicago Simeon/Mac Irvin Fire

“Slowly developing; can shoot from the perimeter, plays in the shadows of others now.”