TOP PROSPECTS IN OUR 2020 CLASS

TOP PROSPECTS IN OUR 2020 CLASS

“This crop starts a wave of three consecutive stellar classes in Illinois. We are long overdue for producing/developing a high abundance of high-level recruits.”

 Let’s identify our Top 10 and then a list of our Top 50:

• D.J. Stewart                        6-2        G           Fenwick
• Adam Miller                       6-3        G           Morgan Pk
• Lamontay Daughtery 6-5 F            Duquoin
• Tyler Beard                         6-2        G           Whitney Young
• Destin Whitaker               6-6        F            Romeoville
• Reggie Strong      6-0        PG         Farragut
• James Baltz                        6-5        F            Carbondale
• Shon Robinson    6-8        F            Morgan Pk
• Demarius Splunge             6-4        G           Orr
• Romelle Howard 6-8        F/C        Lincoln Park

NEXT WAVE OF 2020 PROSPECTS

“We’re expecting these youngsters to blossom into bona-fide Mid-Major plus recruits.”

• Damonte Taylor                        6-4        WF        Zion-Benton
  “Excellent athlete, exhibits high-light reel plays at the rim.”
• Connor Kochera                        6-4        G/F        St. Viator
  “This kid can flat-out play. System type with a shrewd understanding of the game.”
• Josh Holmes                6-0        G           Jones Prep.
  “Stellar floor game, can make plays for himself or mates. Capable scorer.”
• Bennett Kwiecinski     6-7        F            Loyola Academy
  “Hype surrounding him and his twin brother Jordan and we understand why. They both share a wealth of potential.”
• Nate Seputis                6-9        F/C        Lincoln-Way East
  “Skilled youngster just needs to add strength & experience to his game.”
• Daron Hall                    5-10      PG         Glenbard East
  “Has that slippery open-court game that have defender’s hapless.”
• Joel Watts                    6-0        G           St. Rita
  “Has shown the ability to make big shots. Recently was injured.”
• Kee Hargrove               6-5        G/F        Joliet Central
  “Lanky fellow, has that un-flappable hoop character that embodies un-fazed by most challenges. Raw in some areas but has the potential to be a rising star.”
• Colin Crothers                           6-8        C            Benet Academy
  “A well-coached prospect, looking to push forward, showcasing scoring & rebounding.”
• Bryce Hall                                   6-3        G/F        Chicago Simeon
  “He will only improve playing against a parade of highly sought personalities in practice daily. A smooth all-around talent.”
• Isaiah Rivera                6-4        G/F        Geneseo
  “A fearless competitor; plays well in space & capable of making plays at both-ends. Already a good offensive player.”

TOP 2019 PROSPECTS BY POSITION

TOP 2019 PROSPECTS BY POSITION

“A brief breakdown of this group”

“Within this class we do have several rapidly emerging players whom aren’t house hold names presently, but deserve to be identified early on as someone Colleges may need to cover during the up-coming hoop season.”

POINT GUARDS

• Markese Jacobs   5-11      HM        Chicago Uplift – “His talents can be breath taking at times, staying in the moment should be a point of emphasis for him.”
• Raymond Dennis 6-1        MM      Oswego East – “This talented back-court player came out no-where, and played well enough to land some offers. Last season spent at Montini H.S. Pretty much an obscure situation.”
• Trey Calvin                         6-0        MM       St. Viator – “Sleeper-type, skilled/slick n shrewd. Very bright future.”
• KeJuan Clements 5-11      MM       Simeon – “He will quarterback a talented cast. System kinda guy.”
• Marquise Walker              5-11      MM       Curie – “This time around, he has something to prove. Does have a world of ability.”
• Fred Cleveland     5-7        ----         Chicago Leo – “New league & environment, staying in the moment should be his mental approach every outing.”
• Deonte Billups     6-3        MM       Moline – “Can flat-out play, can score as well as distribute.”
• Chris Burnell                      6-1        LM+      Rockford East – “This slasher showed some promise this summer. Let’s see him build on that.”
• Mike Salters                       6-1        LM+      Romeoville – “Development hasn’t taken the next leap forward. A big junior campaign awaits.”
• Jahiem Holder     5-10      LM+      Evanston – “Has a razzle-dazzle type game, now can he manage his team and lead?”
• Payton Havens    5-10      LM+      Metamora – “Got game & confidence. Sleeper type. Very innovative general. The big stage will be tale of the tape.”
• Andre White                      5-8        LM+      Harvest Christian – “Talented, sometimes moody & emotional, the next step awaits.”
   
  TOP 2019 PROSPECTS

• Johnsal Harris      5-11      LM+      Chicago Marshall – “His talents will eventually turn-over & develop.”
• Traevon Brown    6-0        LM+      West Aurora – “Smooth-new environment. Needs a good year.”
• T.J. Ervin               5-7        LM         Providence St. Mel – “Q.B. starting to understand situations. Reliable shooter.”
• Shamar Pumphrey            5-9        LM         Chicago Lindblom – “Truly exciting, fun to watch. Can he apply his talents in structure setting?”
• Jamair Price                       6-2        LM+-LM Rock Island – “Big PG opened some eyes this summer with strong floor game.”
• Elijah Stewart      5-11      LM         Kenwood – “Will earn some mins this season. Very good rising prospect.”
• Zach Toussaint    5-11      ----         Johnsburg– “Shot the crap out of the ball last season. Transitioning now to PG.”
• Terrion Murdix    5-9        ----         Springfield South East – “Highly regarded by his coaches. We need to see more of him.”
• Malik Tidwell                     5-9        ----         Marian Catholic – “Needs to have chip on his shoulder all season.”
   
  SHOOTING GUARD SLOT

• Lance Jones                        6-1        MM+    Evanston – “Talented offensive player; not a PG yet, fun to watch as he develops.”
• Jerry Hernandez  6-4        MM+    St. Viator – “Has demonstrated recently he’s a Top 10 performer. Has become a consistent threat.”
• Myles Baker                       6-3        MM+    Young H.S. – “A rising talent, sleeper type. Has good size & can be effective in a variety of roles.”

• Tyler Cochran      6-3        MM       Bolingbrook – “Has momentum after good summer, doesn’t need anything to stunt his growth or development.”
• Demari Nixon       6-2        MM       Fenwick – “Lefty is a valuable versatile threat. A 2-way diamond in the rough.”
• Joseph Yesufu      5-11      MM       Bolingbrook – “Superb leaper, not a PG yet. Still grasping an understanding of the game.”
• Aaron Strong                     6-1        MM       Farragut – “Big game clutch performer; capable of a big offensive outing.”
• Antonio Reeves   6-4        MM       Kenwood – “A respected out-side shooter.”
• Jordan Brown      6-1        MM       Waukegan – “A slashing- attacking offensive player whose future looks promising.”
• Martin Macenis   6-4        MM       Stagg – “Skilled-all-around talent; Euro type has unheralded brand plastered all-over him!”
   
  NEXT SET 2G’S

• Dajuan Gordon    6-2        MM                     Curie – “Cleveland St. loves this wiry raw prospect.”
• Sean Houpt                        6-3        LM+                    Danville – “I’m expecting a big year from this lefty, he knows how to play.”
• Mohammed Alausa          6-4        MM-LM+           Chicago U-High – “Would thrive in a system setting, academic environment likely.”
• Henry Coleman   6-3        MM-LM+            Chicago Marshall – “A rising talent, look for him to blow-up soon.”
• Chris Roberts                     6-0        MM-LM+            Lincoln Park – “Starting to come into his own as a well-rounded performer.”
   

NEXT SET 2G’S IN 2019 CAST

A few of these back-court prospects likely should develop point-guard skills as their respective games mature, especially grasping the mind-set of a PG.

• Dashon Enoch      5-11      LM+-LM              Oak Park – “Presently still viewed as D1 recruit. This sometimes-acrobatic athlete has to connect a process of running a team.”
• Semaji Henderson             6-0        LM+-LM              Downers Grove North – “A emerging prospect & leader; had a really good summer. Now let’s watch him build on it. Very good student.”
• Chase Robinson   6-2        LM+-LM              Oak Park – “Improved out-side shooting, strong body who could blossom soon. Still growing.”
• Teon Nesbit                       6-1        LM+-LM              Butler Charter – “Had a quiet summer, not much buzz. Young fella has game, and he can shoot it from distance.”
• Detalian Brown    6-3        LM-LM  Chicago Uplift – “New scenery for this rangy talent. Saw him again at the All-American Camp in Matteson recently.”
• Ryan Trotter                      6-2        LM+-LM              Walter Payton – “Has some swag to his game to go with his rising confidence. Can handle & shoot.”
• Solomon Oraegbu             6-3        LM                       Fenwick – “Transferred from Young H.S. This youngster has some ability, now let’s see if he can utilize it in a system.”
• Nick Kosich                        6-2        LM                       York – “We always want the best for him! Very good shooter & player. Academic setting could fit.”
• Andrew Stewart  5-11      LM                       Kenwood – “Has a slippery slithery offensive game. Capable of making shots on perimeter. Big year awaits.”

WING FORWARDS

• Terrance Hargrove      6-7      HM        East St. Louis – “Once this talent shores up some areas in his game, stardom awaits. A quick leader who should benefit him having Vashon transfer Joe Reece alongside of him. Reece is a six foot nine Old-Dominion signee who’s really good.”
• Evan Taylor                  6-5        MM+    Glenbard West – “A lanky southpaw with a rising game & versatile threat. Very good student.”
• Bryant Brown                            6-4        MM       Waukegan – “Can flat-out play & with good energy; currently doesn’t have a branded position, he just plays the game.”
• Perry Cowan                6-4        MM       DePaul Prep       - “He likely could make an early statement in his school setting. Capable high scorer.”
• Tom Welch                   6-6        MM       Naperville North – “Slender lad, reminds me of former Selbyville stand-out Rich Beyers who played at Illinois for 2 years & Illinois St. for Final 2. Welch, with a wealth of potential is expected to have a fine year.”
• Tujautae Williams       6-6        MM       Chicago Orr – “He is a budding standout. Lost some time due to a leg injury all summer. A transfer from Lincoln Park has a wealth of potential.”
• Nate Ferguson                           6-7        MM       Lemont – “Has an opportunity to be really good once he gains some strength & maturity.”
• Bryce Hopkins                           6-4        MM       Fremd – “Plays strong, has swingman abilities & displays poise & confidence at both ends.”
• Alex Raiford                 6-3        LM+      De La Salle – “Vastly under-rated, his game is well rounded & has chance to blossom into a fine prospect.”
• Keenan Jones               6-4        LM+      Chicago Young – “Cagey fellow, lefty has some length & capable of makin’ plays. Can make shots on the perimeter.”
• Anthony Fairlee                         6-4        LM+      Springfield Southeast – “A top flight athlete, skills are presently evolving. Huge upside.”
• Diamond Presniakovas 6-4      LM-       Plainfield South – “Launched his circuit debut at a Spot-Lite Summer Tune-up. Has a deft shooting touch.”
• Adam Jones                 6-4        LM-       Providence Catholic – “Has chance to be an impactful figure this season. Scoring & making plays.”
• Anthony Roberts                       6-4        LM+      Oak Park – “Sleeper type, versatile performer, doesn’t understand yet how good he could become.”
• Collin Dietz                   6-6        LM+      Metamora - “A rising talent, starting to come into his own as a player. This season will tell us everything.”
   
  POWER FORWARD
• E.J. Liddle                                    6-7        HM                      Belleville West – “Top-notch prospect with a wealth of all-around abilities. St. Louis, Mizzou, Illini, Kansas, Iowa St. He’s hot and likely a McDonald All-American candidate!”
• Chris Payton                6-6        MM                     Bloomington – “A verbal to Illinois State; can control a game at both ends with fearless play. Athletic.”
• Dachaun Anderson     6-5        MM                     Chicago Leo – “High-energy guy, can be dominant at times. Perimeter skills improving. Good work ethic.”
• Jeremiah Odom                         6-6        MM                     St. Rita – “A prospect to watch. This season will show where his development & level leads.”
• Ian Stanback                6-4        ----                       Homewood-Flossmoor – “He demonstrates sheer tenaciousness. This former Hillcrest H.S. Heart-throb will continue to polish-up his skills on the perimeter. Achieving that would elevate his status to a Div. 1 recruit. Stanback has been inside player majority of his hoop-life.”
• Deng Reng                    6-7        MM                     Wheaton North – “Deng showed blemishes last season of a kid with a promising future. His role should expand this time around.”
• Keeshawn Chambers  6-6        MM                     Thornton – “A quick leaper with a good motor, finishes play at the rim. A transfer from Solorio.”
• Charlie Hoehne                          6-6        LM+LM              Oak Park – “Big season of high expectations awaits. Tendencies to drift in & out during moments. He has the package though.”
• C.J. Wilbourne                           6-7        LM+-LM              Normal Community – “Versatile prospect, handles himself well on perimeter. Good Mid-Range shooter. We need to see more toughness and rebounding in his efforts.”
• Chris White                  6-6        LM                       Marian Catholic – “Excellent length, can defend multiple positions. Offensive game can use some punch.”
• Karl Wright                  6-5        LM                       Springfield Lanphier – “Under-size, but he is a match-up nightmare because of his athleticism.”
• Jackson Tanner                          6-7        LM                       Latin School of Chicago – “We caught a glimpse of his abilities recently at the All-American Camp. Intriguing!
• Spencer Boehm                         6-7        LM                       New Trier – “Good blood-lines, needs to play a little more chippy. Has tools, likely Ivy League or academic setting.”
• Kevon Mayers                           6-5        LM                       Chicago Bogan – “A bouncy physical talent with a huge upside. Talent has to be turned-over.”
• Rashawn Agee                           6-6        LM                       Chicago Bogan – “This one-time heralded frosh needs a quality season. It would restore some confidence & hype.”
• Pavle Pantovic                           6-6        LM                       DePaul Prep – “Unsure what level they will attempt to brand him; knows his way around the interior though.”
• T.J. Wicks                                    6-8        LM                       Kankakee – “Has the ultimate hooper name. Now the slender lad needs to stay in the present while focusing on team & individual skill work.”                          
   
  POST-MEN

“Slim pickings currently, but there is a good start to what’s available at this position.”

• Francis Okoro        6-10      HM        Normal West – “We haven’t had a physical stud similar to this future McDonald All-American since 2014. Patrols the paint with authority, extremely bright future.”
• Ciaran Brayboy      6-9        MM+    New-Trier – “Has drew some comparisons to former Notre Dame stand-out Jack Cooley. Mobile, plays hard & displays a formidable presence in the paint.
• Taeyon Neal                         6-10      MM       Providence St. Mel – “Under-valued, I think he has the potential to play in Conference USA, American or the Big 12 Conference. Today, the masses want everything microwaved or an instant finished product. This big-fella just might be a stud one day.”
• London Denman    6-10      ----         T.F. South – “We’ve saw him 3 or 4 times now; potential is there, now big-fella has to get his body right where he can impact games at both-ends.”