THE 2017 PROSPECTS

THE 2017 PROSPECTS

“Just so you know – these guys signed or either committed with little fanfare.”

Name	HT	POS	HIGH-SCHOOL	COLLEGE CHOICE
1. Bol Riek	7-1	C	Mooseheart	University New-Orleans “Currently sitting out the season”
2. Marc Taylor	6-7	F/C	Francis Parker	Williams College
3. Joseph St. Pierre	6-9	C	Richmond-Burton	Texas El-Paso
4. Zak Couper	6-4	WG	Rockford Auburn	Air Force Academy
5. Carlos Hines	6-3	WG	North-Lawndale	Northern Arizona
6. Austin Richie	6-5	F	Bloom Township	St. Cloud State

UN-SUNG SENIOR ALERT

UN-SUNG SENIOR ALERT

“These guys are vastly unappreciated in terms of their recruitment; very undervalued.” Colleges need to show them some interest!

Kamron Reaves continues to shine; the six foot one play-maker netted 20 points a few nights ago in a 65-63 defeat to cross-town rival Champaign Central. The Centennial guard struck for 24 points vs Central January 6^th in their first meeting against some-time highly touted Junior Tim Finke. Reaves, a slithery general should be closely viewed by the likes of Eastern Illinois*Western Illinois*SIU-E*Tennessee-Martin*Chicago State*SEMO. “This kid can flat-out play!”

 We recently saw Benet Academy under-rated guard Jack Nolan drop 25 in the fourth quarter on a good St. Patrick team. Nolan, has been one of the more impressive guards we’ve spotted all season. At six foot one, he’s crafty and has the ability to score attacking the rim or draining jumpers beyond the three point arch. And yes he’s quick & athletic enough to covet mid-major interest from the likes of Valpo*IUPUI*UIC*EIU*NIU. This kid has some similarities to a young former Arizona stand-out T.J. McConnell.

Truly astonishing how over looked farragut’s stand-out Kawansie Wilkins has been thus far this season. Wilkins averages close to a cool 27, while he nabs over double digits in rebounds most outings. At six foot four he punishes smaller guards with his ability to drive them to the basket or post up defenders on the block. Kawansie can score consistently, he’s an assassin late in games Valley*Horizon*Mac*Ovc, he may be talented enough to suit-up in some PAC 12 programs down-the-road! Kawansie is considered one of the top players in the city.

Craig Beaudion - Whitney Young’s 6-4 versatile guard with a penchant for making key plays so happens to operate in a congested talented back-court to where he is often over-looked. Beaudion has managed to illustrate certain elements to his increasingly improving floor game-what makes him a valuable asset is his ability to make shots consistently on the perimeter. Good athlete with speed & quickness; he is a division one caliber talent!

RANDOM BARRAGE

It’s a mystery to many of us how stark our Chicago area has become in terms of producing/developing high-caliber talent. We once carved out a collection of highly touted recruits yearly. Now we brandish a few high-major recruits a year. We’ve encountered some stretches where there has been quite a shortage; just viewing our 2017 & 18 Classes validates my assessment. Despite of our area drought with producing high-major talent, our kids have shown a source of resilience and toughness, especially with big play capabilities they’ve demonstrated these intangibles in recent weeks during national televised games. That day will emerge again where Chicago will be a hot-bed for developing high-major talent resembling the likes of Markelle Fultz (Washington), Josh Jackson (Kansas), Malik Monk (Kentucky), Lauri Markkanen (Arizona), Lorenzo Ball (U.C.L.A.), Dennis Smith (N.C. State). “Nothing’s wrong with a reflective prognosis.”

Player of the year honors our rolling around the corner; my ballot has a vote for two candidates and both have their squad in full contention mode for a state title. My nominees will be Bolingbrook quintessential stand-out Nana Akenten (Nebraska recruit). He has been the front man in the band for a talent-laden cast. Curies’s six foot three jump shooter Elijah Joiner (Tulsa) has been terrific; we saw Joiner put 40 on conference foe Kenwood in what was pegged as a big-time game, but instead Curie walloped the Broncos.