THE UN-HERALDED GEM

“We truly enjoy identifying the lesser known player heading into the events for the past two week-ends. By most standards these players below left their mark, we envision several them blossoming into huge contributors at the next level.”

NAME/ HT/ YR/ POS/ LEVEL/ SCHOOL/CLUB/ TEAM

• Sangolay Nijie 6-5 SR F LM Whitney Young/Mean Streets
“Under-size interior performer with energetic motor, plays a huge role as a rim protector, rebounding work-horse. Runs the floor extremely well where he’s positioned to finish plays near the rim. Stock on the rise.”

• Robert Holmes 6-5 SR F LM+-LM Stevenson/All in Athletics
“Name fits his game; strong & athletic-plays extremely hard, can be an exhilarating athlete during stretches of a game where he explodes at the cylinder. Had his coming out party opening night versus Simeon. His appearance in Title game against Whitney Young re-affirmed for many us what the future could hold for this sleeper. Very good student.”

• Yemi Elutilo 6-3 SR G/F LM Marian Catholic/Next Level
“Rangy swing-man clone has his stock/value on the rise. Plays with a dynamite motor & complements it well with his ability to drain jumpers on the perimeter or take defenders off the dribble where he’s effective finishing at the cup. We are high on his up-side potential; picked-up an offer from Lewis University. Very good student.”

• Jaden Henderson 6-4 SR PG LM Jacobs/
“Big strong athletic guard who can handle & create opportunities for others. Jump shot looks good mechanically but he needs to see-it fall more frequent, which could bolster his confidence. Henderson has the physical attributes to be a fine prospect moving forward.”

• Joe Green 6-0 SR G LM+ Marian Catholic/Mean Streets
“Got game, plays in the shadows of others at times where he doesn’t always get an opportunity to show his true gifts. Tends to electrify audiences with his athleticism where exhibits deceptive quick leaping ability, in fact, it allows him to be an effective rebounder in traffic. Smooth scorer in the mid-range space.”

• Jayson Kent 6-5 SR G MM Oak Forest/Mac Irvin & Next Level
“Another Central Junior High grad from Tinley, making a splash for himself during the spring & summer scene. This big guard has kicked his game into high-gear as a reliable shot-maker. Jay K. hits the grid in the sleeper category simply because he’s a rising talent with an un-charted growth ceiling. Look for his all-around game at both ends of the floor to emerge soon.”

• Manny Rodriguez 5-10 SR G LM-D2 Morton/Mustangs
“Heady tough kid who can really shoot-it on the perimeter, was consistently steady through-out the weekend at Riverside. We’d like to get another look at him on the Club circuit as well.”

• Walt Mattingly 6-7 JR F MM+- Deerfield/Illinois Wolves
“A throw-back cager with a really good up-side. Add this talented front-courter to an already growing list of promising 2021 prospects. Mattingly excels in the open floor where he’s comfortable handling the rock making plays, showing off his passing skills. He does finish well at the rim; he slides in as a top 20 player in the class.”

• Justin Cross 6-7 SR F LM+-LM Oak Park/Team Rose
“The gangly lefty’s play has him pitted as a rising prospect. His rapid improvement has landed him in the top 40 listing in the class. J. Cross clearly has demonstrated he can effectively hit the offensive glass giving his squad second chance opportunities. He’s good rebounder defensively where he can be tagged presently as a specialist type. Starting to draw plenty attention from his recent play.”

• Beau Frericks 6-2 SR G MM-LM+ Cary Grove/RWA
“This gamer was armed & ready at Ridgewood, scored with ease, had a couple high-scoring out-puts. We’ve viewed him all year as a kid sort of un-known, but ready to un-leash his un-tapped abilities to make huge shots & plays. The right system could cultivate his status as a hidden gem.”

• Jaeshon Thomas 6-3 JR PG MM+- Young/Mean Streets
“Has all the necessary intangibles to be a bonafide high-level guard, good quickness, sees the floor well where he made the right reads. Demonstrated through-out the weekend at Riverside he could score. Top 20-25 in the class. He will improve in the Public League after coming over from Aurora Christian.”

• Hamahrie Bowers 6-5 JR G/F MM+ Hillcrest/Eric Gordon (Ind)
“This kid is on the brink as a break-out star, elite athlete with an explosive burst, has a very good motor where he’s lethal in the open-court. Has the potential to be a lock-down defender. Mid-range jumper is a reliable weapon for him presently. Top 20 in the class.”

• Jason Bergstrom 6-4 SR G LM Niles Notre Dame
“A potential Division Two/Small College stand-out (just my opinion). Hails as a sure-handed hooper who could thrive in a system setting. Bergstrom handles himself well against pressure and he’s capable of making big shots & plays.”

• Jamere Hill 6-2 SR PG LM+LM Joliet West
“Exciting player hadn’t seen him before the event but opened my eyes with his intensity and his ability to make plays for himself and his teammates. Saw him again later in the week at the Morris Shoot-out where he performed well versus Bogan in the Title game. He can be quite elusive off the dribble where is hard to contain him. He’s capable of knocking-down the three ball with regularity. Top 30 in the class.”

• Ismail Habib 6-0 JR PG MM Lincoln Park
“Vastly under-rated playmaker with the ability to drain jumpers on the perimeter consistently as he displayed the last two weekends. His play was splendid when we viewed him at Ridgewood, a carry-over from his steady performance at Riverside. He will be recognized as one of the top generals in the class. Top 25 prospects.”

“Next issue in a few days will discuss more 2020, 2021, & 2022 will provide a ranking & projected level with most of them. Future looks promising in Illinois…”