UN-INTERUPTED

UN-INTERUPTED 

Illinois dismissal of senior guard Kendrick Nunn from the program will be a devastating blow to their hopes during 2016-17 season. His release was due to domestic battery case. Look for Nunn, a Simeon Grad, to surface at Iowa State or a local program such as UIC.

St. Rita Alum Charles Matthews early exit after one season at Kentucky certainly didn’t catch anyone by surprise. Us local observers are hoping the slithery 6-5 wing and his camp will bypass the bright lights and take a strategic look at schools that can be conducive to his abilities. Matthews somewhat of enigma during his High School career, which was mostly plagued by injuries and inconsistency, but the one-time highly touted prospect still brands a wealth of potential especially in the right environment. His ceiling view should show the likes of DePaul* Notre Dame* Illinois* Marquette* Northwestern* Iowa and UNLV. The picture I’ve illustrated for the Matthews clan I’m sure wouldn’t resonate well.

Morgan Parks scoring combo guard Charlie Moore’s decision to attend the University of California created some interesting feedback, leaving some local critics to question the home-town heart-throb’s decision. Never-the-less most of our area hoop junkies were elated for Cunzo Martin and Tracy Webster working to acquire the high scoring guard. Moore may be in for a rude-awakening in the talented Pac 12 conference, he had a banner High School career, but let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves, and Moore is no Jerome Randle (Hales), “the one-time Cal star”.

Vanderbilt in a hot pursuit for bodies these days took a chance on little-used Xavier cast-off Larry Austin out of Springfield Lanphier. The six foot one guard will sit out next season and have two remaining years to contribute in the highly competitive SEC conference.

Former Proviso East Grad and Illini stand out from the glory days Dee Brown was hired as a player development aid just a week and a half ago. He will provide instant recognition at the University of Illinois.

Mid May Report 2016

Mid May 2016 Issue

Please download PDF issue for Mid May 2016:

TOP 7 Players in 2017 Class

TOP 7 Players in 2017 Class

“Everyone’s lens have a different view and perspective”

1      Jordan Goodwin              6-4    G/F    HM            Althoff/St. Louis Eagles
Bring winning intangibles to every team he suits up for including his football team – which was runner-up in state tournament this past season. Even his intramural hoop squad and badminton team wins. Goodwin was recognized as the state’s lone selection for the EYBL All Indianapolis squad. He made first team and recently landed an offer from Michigan State. Indiana, Illinois, Purdue and Missouri are all in. Goodwin Carts is a similar profile of past Illinois standouts Quentin Richardson (Young) and Sergio McLain (Manual).

2      Justin Smith                      6-6    WF     HM            Stevenson/Mac Irving Fire
Terrific talent has played well all spring. Recently received an offer from Villanova and Stanford. Has also received interest from majority of Big 10 schools. Likely Top 75 national recruit.

3      Da’Monte Williams        6-3    G        HM            Peoria Manual/Mac Irving Fire
The Illini recruit has drawn mixed reviews this spring thus far. Partly because of his lethargic and disengaged play at times. Da’Monte does have the ability to dial-it-up when he needs to.

4      Nojel Eastern                   6-5    G/F    HM-MM   Evanston/Mean Street
His size & versatility makes him attractive recruit. Nojel gives a team the luxury of additional ball handler. A modest athlete who compensates with heady play. Northwestern & DePaul could be key players in his recruitment.

5      Alonzo Verge Jr.             6-3    PG     HM-MM   Proviso West/Mean Street
Still capable of electrifying crowds at times, but he seems to have lost some luster along the way. Verge Jr. potentially could be the most potent offensive threat in the class. Academics likely will determine his next destination.

6      Christian Negron            6-6    SF       MM+-MM      Elgin-Larkin/Mac Irving Fire
Currently undersized playing on interior for the Fire. Skill-set still isn’t where we anticipated at this stage but when he plays hard, hitting the glass, and running the floor can be valuable asset. A10 and Conference USA or the Valley could serve him instant success.

7      Javon Pickett                   6-4    WG    MM+-MM      Belleville East/Illinois Jets
The Illinois recruit hasn’t set the world on fire with his play this spring. Some us think he is still hampered by injury he suffered late in the season. Average athlete will need to bulk up some to deal with nightly regimen of the Big 10. Pickett is a promising prospect.

Some eye popping job openings have captured our attention of late:

1.Mount Carmel  

2. St. Ignatius          

3. Chicago Hyde Park 

4. Metea Valley  

5. Nazareth

6. Joliet Central

Lethal Notes

Lethal Notes

Simeon’s six foot seven Ben Coupet just landed an offer from UNLV which seemed to have startled most local observers. We’ve often viewed Coupet’s future as being promising, in fact the 2016 grads versatility and length would serve him well in Mountain West setting. He currently suits up for Dream Vision on the West Coast.

The DePaul program caught a huge break when Division Two All-American Max Strus elected to transfer into the North side school. Strus, strung together two terrific seasons at Lewis University where last season he recorded 20.2 points and 8.4 rebounds. Strus will sit out the 2016-17 campaign and have 2 years remaining. In which the Blue Demons should be equipped with several significant offensive pieces.

One of my favorites in 2017 crop, Marshall (IL) six foot three combo guard Josiah Wallace gave Southern Indiana a verbal recently. Josiah, a rangy scorer likely will flourish in Rodney Watson’s system at the highly successful Evansville, In, D2 program.

2017 Index

2017 Index

Players Who Helped Themselves During April Evaluation Period

1.       Nana Akenten                  6-5      G/F    MM             Bolingbrook / Illinois Celtics/Hoopers
Performed well at the NY-LA event in Minnesota; athletic swingman has improved shooting & floor game. Looked good at the all Illinois invitational.

2.       Keondre Schumacher     5-11 PG LM+Normal U-High All in Athletics
We first viewed him over the Xmas break, saw him again at the Illinois invitational, he was solid while showcasing he was strong with the ball. We consider him one of the top 10-12 point-guards in the class. He is capable of being a reliable shooter.

3.       Demarius Jacobs              6-4      WG   MM             Uplift / All in Athletics
This graceful talent could eventually rise above some of the current Top 10 players we so regularly identify. Jacobs, often looks disengaged but when he comes to play the game looks easy for him. Once he gains some strength we could be witnessing a star quality.

4.        P.J. Pipes                         6-1      PG     MM             Lemont/Illinois Stars
Ultra quick playmaker with the ability to score as he displayed at the Illinois invitational. Well coached at his high school, he knows how to run offense; in addition he is capable of playing at a good pace and with patience. His game has become more attractive of late, because of his improved confidence & outside shooting. Offers will continue to roll in for him.

5.       Jimmy Sotos                      6-1     PG    MM Conant HS/Young Legends

He capped the ending of his High School season on a positive note guiding his team to a surprising finish. That momentum carried Jimmy into an amazing club team start where he’s elevated his recruitment. The MAC conference should be all over him, high academic kid.