5 SLEEPERS

·        Gary Clay                 6-2      G         MM                35       Rich Central

·        Quani Rudd             6-6      F          MM-LM+      36       Mount Vernon

·        Phillip Holmes        6-7      PF       LM+                42       Chicago Simeon

·        Blake Peters                        6-1      G         LM+-LM        34       Evanston

·        Jeffrey Oakley        6-5      F          LM+                39       Chicago Corliss

  

Next issue we will talk more about the 2022 Prospects and rank them.

TOP AVAILABLE PROSPECTS IN 2021 CLASS

“With the Pandemic hindering so much with these guys’ recruitment, this Class is on track to be overlooked some. We will list players who probably will qualify academically.”

·        Grant Newell          6-7      F          MM+-MM    11       Whitney Young

“Vastly underrated, interested to see how he fared today at the Mean Streets workout. His recruiting has been surprisingly low, that could be contribute to several factors, the Pandemic, and an influx of constant transfers entering the Dolphin’s Program which has him always basking in the shadows of others. His best hoops await, Grant has Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Tulsa, Cornell, and Howard University currently recruiting him.”

·        Jakobi Heady          6-6      G/F     MM+MM      15       Hillcrest

“Athletic swingman started to come into his own last season. One of the best perimeter shooters in the Class. Colorado State is said to be involved.”

·        Noah Raynolds       6-0      PG       MM                18       Peoria Notre Dame

“Sure-handed nifty general knows how to quarterback his team, understands situations. Bradley University loves his game.”

·        Jalen Houston        6-0      G         MM                22       Chicago Bogan

“Combo guard is a Hyde Park transfer who will team with D.J. Jones to form a potent back-court attack. He has had a very good summer where he’s shown the ability to score, slashing, or making shots on the perimeter.”

·        Ola Ajiboye             6-8      WF      MM                24       Evanston

“Von Steuben transfer has a new scenery to strut his overall game. Big time student who values education.”

·        Julius Rollins           6-5      G/F     MM                21       Hillcrest

“Doesn’t shoot-it particularly well at the present but he is a really good prospect who we envision being a nice player on the Collegiate level, particularly in the right setting. He has an abundance of offers.”

·        Amar Auggilard      6-4      G         MM                25       Zion-Benton

“An offensive gunner who can get buckets in a hurry, needs a little more discipline to his game but you can’t teach the offensive aggression and unconsciousness he illustrates in his game. I’m sure he has a lot he wants to prove to critics.”

·        Jaehshon Thomas 6-2      G         MM                27       Whitney Young

“Was on a path to show observers what his game entails before play was halted in March. He gave us a glimpse of his offensive abilities look like during a victory over Simeon in a State Playoff Game.”

·        Nathanel Hoskins  6-4      PG       MM                31       Danville

“High academic hid has drawn interest from suitors such as New Jersey Institute, Fairfield, & Patriot League Schools. Strong ball handler and distributor with the ability to make plays for others.”

·        Jaden Terrell           6-6      WF      MM                32       Wheeling

“Athletic wing has had a strong showing this summer, recording some big outings where he displayed the ability to shoot the ball and attack defenders off the bounce. Starting to come into his own. New Jersey Institute has shown strong interest.”

SPOT-LITER’S TOP 10 PROSPECTS IN 2021 CLASS

“It has been a serious challenge to cover this summer since the Virus continues to be a feared outbreak. My preconceived thoughts created the real reality when I did attend a several local events. Not much social distancing was mandated nor enforced! Much of our Top 10 grid remains intact. This is a talented Class collectively.”

            NAME                                   HT          POS        LEVEL    RANK    HIGH SCHOOL

·        Max Christie            6-6      PG       HM                 1          Rolling Meadows

“Michigan State bound will now turn his focus towards a hopeful season and an eye towards the prestigious McDonald All American game. Consensus Top 20 Player in the country.”

·        Bryce Hopkins        6-6      G         HM                 2          Fenwick

“Top player available in the Class after de-committing from Louisville. A polished scorer has the offensive tools to be a “go-to-guy” immediately. No one should be startled if he paves his way to the McDonald game.”

·        Chris Hodges          6-8      PF       HM                 3          Schaumburg

“Agile athletic front-courter headed to an ideal situation to where he can continue to flourish as a rising talent. Relentless, competes at both ends of the floor. This kid will be a stud in the Big 10. Wisconsin bound.”

·        Ahamad Bynum     6-1      G         HM                 4          Chicago Simeon

“Capable of electrifying audiences with his long-range shooting. Streaky has that uncanny ability to open-up a game. We saw that during the City Finals, right before the Pandemic struck. DePaul recruit.”

·        Isaiah Barnes          6-7      WG     HM                 5          Chicago Simeon

“University Michigan bound will take his ultra-smooth talent to the Public League Red South where he will be a match-up nightmare for defenders. Transferred over form Oak Park. It’s “Black Cat’s” team but Barnes will arguably be the best player on the floor most nights.”

·        John Poulakidas     6-5      G/F     HM                 6          Neuqua Valley

“This south paw swingman resembles the 2^nd best player available in the Class, big game shooter recorded 17 points per game last season while nailing 76 three-pointers. Totally un-selfish player for someone so talented. TCU, DePaul, Stanford, Minnesota, Yale, and George Washington seem in play with his schools of interest.”

·        Troy D’Amico         6-7      F          MM+              7          Niles Notre Dame

“Southern Illinois landed a steal with his versatile game/intriguing skill set, this kid brings winning intangibles with him. Superb passer who averaged 15.6 points last season and displayed consistent outside shooting. Troy likely will be one of the top performers at Mean Streets workout today.”

·        Louis Lesmond       6-5      WG     MM+              8          Niles Notre Dame

“His smooth talent has never been questioned, has the athleticism to be a standout in the Ivy League (Harvard), it’s just a matter of him putting it-all-together which would certainly heighten his game as well as his profile. Averaged 16.5 last season.”

·        Anthony Sales        6-1      PG       MM+-MM    9          Niles Notre Dame

“The leader of his team, a scoring playmaker who looks to get buckets, especially in huge moments. Does have the ability to make plays for his teammates. Averaged 13.6 and a mere 2.6 assist. Southern Illinois, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Grand Canyon and Miami of Ohio are in the picture. He could opt for football.”

·        Tevin Smith             6-4      G         MM+-MM    10       Danville

“Arguably the No.1 player in Central Illinois, Smith was enjoying a strong season until an injury shelved him at mid-point. He still managed to average over 20+ per outing. Since he entered high school, he was widely recognized as one of the top scorers in the Class. Southern Illinois seems in play for him even though sources have indicated Oregon is keeping a close watch, just to see how things will pan out.”

EARLY 2021 COMMITMENTS

NAME                     HT          POS        RANK    HIGH SCHOOL       COLLEGE CHOICE

·         Chris Hodges               6-8       PF        3          Schaumburg                University Wisconsin

·         Connor Enright            6-2       PG        12        Mundelein                   Drake University

·         Ahmad Bynum            6-2       G          4          Simeon                        DePaul University

·         Louis Lesmond            6-6       WG      8          Niles Notre Dame       Harvard University

·         Isaiah Barnes               6-7       WG      6          Simeon                        University Michigan

·         Max Christie                6-6       PG        1          Rolling Meadows  Michigan State University

·         Troy D’Amico              6-7       F          7         Niles Notre Dame Southern Illinois University

·         Ben Schwieger            6-6       F          16        Waubonsie Valley       Loyola-Chicago

·         Ty Johnson                   6-1       PG        14        DePaul Prep                Loyola-Chicago

·         Scottie Ebube              6-8       F/C       17        Mundelein           Southern Illinois University

·         Brian Matthews          6-9       C          41        DePaul Prep                U-Massachusetts        

A PERIOD OF UNREST

 The state’s No.1 player in the 2022 Class A.J. Casey has departed Tinley Park after one season. The six-foot eight talented forward spent his freshman year at Chicago Simeon, now Casey has elected to return to the Public League for his Junior campaign where he will attend Whitney Young. Casey is viewed on most National Scouting Services to be among the Top 20 prospects in the country. The big fella is a good student and a great kid, he sizes up Whitney Young as an opportunity for growth with academics, cultural, & social experiences. That is huge, we wish more youngsters summed-up their vision for self-growth in that matter. Reportedly he is in no hurry to make a decision on Colleges yet, but he lists Michigan, Iowa State, Purdue, Ohio State, Illinois, DePaul, and Gonzaga as his current favorites. 

I love my people so I’m not aiming darts in anyone’s direction but now that we’re in tune with so much surveillance, I’m lusting for an opportunity to build a Program from ground-level up without the transfer acquisitions, which I know is widely prevalent in today’s climate. It is a necessary formula to orchestrate a quick fix.  What would be exhilarating feeling for us is to witness the growth/development of young players on & off the court within your Program at all three levels. This would be like building your Program for sustaining long-term success year and year out. It is healthy to be a dreamer, especially if you have a visionary plan.

Bryce Hopkins re-opening his recruiting after de-committing from his early Louisville pledge was certainly the hottest topic of the summer for many of us locals. A Top 40 National Prospect has the game/profile to attract the likes of Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, as well as Big 10 Schools, Illinois, and Ohio State. Stay tuned…

One of the more surprising moves and the other hot topic of the summer, that blind-sided many during the midst of a Pandemic was Kenwood High School naming Mike Irvin as its new varsity Head Coach. Mike, not having any high school coaching experience, will heighten the Kenwood profile immediately and make for interesting dynamics in an already competitively spirited Red-South. Now we can wait for word to come down that talented Javonte “J.J.” Taylor, who is regarded as the No.1 player in the 2023 Class, is transferring over from Morgan Park.

Another hot stove topic was the hire of DeWayne Peevy as the new Athletic Director at DePaul University, who has replaced long time AD Jean Lenti Ponsetto, who is retiring after 45-year career at the University. She has served as DePaul AD for the last 18 years. What makes things interesting is Peevy who is the first black administrator at DePaul and has notable distinction of coming over from the University of Kentucky. Salute to DePaul!