Top 100 2016 Prospects in Illinois
No sense in dwelling over spilt milk, the class isn’t one of our state’s banner crops, but with the collection of (I’m going to prove everyone wrong.) there will be some diamonds in the rough guys. The class we assume will not be as bad as the 2012 group.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Recruiting/Scouting Notes 7/15/2015
Recruiting/Scouting Notes
Little used Simeon reserve Frederick Scott King performed well enough at Adidas Spring Event that the 6-7 forward landed himself a scholarship at DePaul. The often-traveled lefty could develop into a contributing role-player for the Demons within a few years. One thing big-fella can do is stroke it on the perimeter, he’s now going to have to adjust to the pace of the college game particularly during Big-East play. He’s worth rolling the dice on.
Promising front-courter Joseph St. Pierre a six foot nine stud listed in the deep 2017 class has left Richmond-Burton H.S. for Indiana Prep-School La Lumiere. Now he must focus on getting his weight down, but he is a dandy.
Alton H.S. 2015 grad Bryan Hudson a 6-8 lefty who we reported on all season who drew a flock of major league baseball scouts and executives to his high-school basketball game recently signed with the Chicago Cubs for a reported $1.1 million bonus. He was a third round draft pick, this kid was a talent in hoops, once considered walking-on at Missouri where he was slated to attend prior to the draft. Hudson throws in the high 90’s, we just might see him in the majors within 2 years. More under-achieving hoopers need to go this route.
Northwestern locked-up two of the top 3 players in the 2016 class when Hinsdale South post-man Barret Bensen gave a verbal last week. Earlier the no. 1 player Rapolas Ivanaukas of Barrington gave a verbal in April. This hasn’t happened in recent memory of the Wildcat program. In May they received a commitment from stand-out 2016 guard Isaiah Brown, the Seattle native plays at Lake-Side High. NU beat out Washington, Oregon State, Washington State and St. Mary’s.
Little used Simeon reserve Frederick Scott King performed well enough at Adidas Spring Event that the 6-7 forward landed himself a scholarship at DePaul. The often-traveled lefty could develop into a contributing role-player for the Demons within a few years. One thing big-fella can do is stroke it on the perimeter, he’s now going to have to adjust to the pace of the college game particularly during Big-East play. He’s worth rolling the dice on.
Promising front-courter Joseph St. Pierre a six foot nine stud listed in the deep 2017 class has left Richmond-Burton H.S. for Indiana Prep-School La Lumiere. Now he must focus on getting his weight down, but he is a dandy.
Alton H.S. 2015 grad Bryan Hudson a 6-8 lefty who we reported on all season who drew a flock of major league baseball scouts and executives to his high-school basketball game recently signed with the Chicago Cubs for a reported $1.1 million bonus. He was a third round draft pick, this kid was a talent in hoops, once considered walking-on at Missouri where he was slated to attend prior to the draft. Hudson throws in the high 90’s, we just might see him in the majors within 2 years. More under-achieving hoopers need to go this route.
Northwestern locked-up two of the top 3 players in the 2016 class when Hinsdale South post-man Barret Bensen gave a verbal last week. Earlier the no. 1 player Rapolas Ivanaukas of Barrington gave a verbal in April. This hasn’t happened in recent memory of the Wildcat program. In May they received a commitment from stand-out 2016 guard Isaiah Brown, the Seattle native plays at Lake-Side High. NU beat out Washington, Oregon State, Washington State and St. Mary’s.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
TOP 10 PLAYERS AT THE 30TH ANNUAL MORRIS SHOOT-OUT
This event isn’t remotely close to what it once was, but nothing stays the same anyway.
Ethan Meeker 6-2 SR-G LM Galesburg/Quad City Elite
“Led his team to the tournament title. Clever ball-handler system type who shoots on the perimeter efficiently.” July will be a period he’s examined closely.
Jake Baughman 6-1 SR-G LM Bloomington Central Catholic/Illinois Irish
“Jump shooter with a big-game mentality. Knows how to play, he was a surprise.”
Justin Smith 6-5 G/F HM Stevenson/Mac Irvin Fire
“Highly touted and deserves the ink; his game was smooth & silk for 2 days. I’m assuming he received the red-carpet treatment at Illinois and Purdue this weekend.”
Tayvon Tyler 6-0 SR-PG LM Rockford Auburn
Jet quick; the speedster dominated most opposing guards throughout the event. Tyler grabbed the interest of several D2 & small college coaches.
Isaac Nelson 5-9 SR-G LM Springfield High
The little lefty was special, he lit it up for 2 days amassing thirty points in several outings. His ball-handling has improved.
Marcus Latham 6-1 SR-PG MM-LM+ Alton/Illinois Jet
In my 1st viewing of him, the south paw went for 30, then came right back out his second outing and recorded over 40. “He can score in his sleep.”
Jacob Cushing 6-7 F LM+-LM Neuqua Valley/Mercury Elite
Lanky shooter, only played the first day where he was solid. Cushing shot okay, but played hard at both ends.
Trevian Bell 6-4 WF MM Joliet West/Illinois Wolves
Showed superb quickness and the ability to see the floor as a passer; made 12-15 jumpers and displayed maturity & good athleticism.
Isaac Gassman 6-5 G/F LM-D2 Ottawa/Quad City Elite
The long-armed-lefty was heavily viewed as much as Galesburg’s Meeker. Gassman showed he is a very skilled performer and versatile while having a true understanding of how to play. He is a feared outside shooter.
Isaiah Roby 6-8 F HM Dixon/Quad City Elite
The Nebraska recruit was flawless; he makes the game look so effortlessly at times; this promising prospect did it all for his team. Roby is a full-time perimeter player at the next level.
Keaton Rombach 6-7 F LM+-LM Ottawa/Chicago Lockdown
An intriguing player; can handle the ball and make some decisions on the perimeter; has transitioned his game from the interior to the wing position within the last year; his jump shot is coming along nicely; a player to watch in July.
Ethan Meeker 6-2 SR-G LM Galesburg/Quad City Elite
“Led his team to the tournament title. Clever ball-handler system type who shoots on the perimeter efficiently.” July will be a period he’s examined closely.
Jake Baughman 6-1 SR-G LM Bloomington Central Catholic/Illinois Irish
“Jump shooter with a big-game mentality. Knows how to play, he was a surprise.”
Justin Smith 6-5 G/F HM Stevenson/Mac Irvin Fire
“Highly touted and deserves the ink; his game was smooth & silk for 2 days. I’m assuming he received the red-carpet treatment at Illinois and Purdue this weekend.”
Tayvon Tyler 6-0 SR-PG LM Rockford Auburn
Jet quick; the speedster dominated most opposing guards throughout the event. Tyler grabbed the interest of several D2 & small college coaches.
Isaac Nelson 5-9 SR-G LM Springfield High
The little lefty was special, he lit it up for 2 days amassing thirty points in several outings. His ball-handling has improved.
Marcus Latham 6-1 SR-PG MM-LM+ Alton/Illinois Jet
In my 1st viewing of him, the south paw went for 30, then came right back out his second outing and recorded over 40. “He can score in his sleep.”
Jacob Cushing 6-7 F LM+-LM Neuqua Valley/Mercury Elite
Lanky shooter, only played the first day where he was solid. Cushing shot okay, but played hard at both ends.
Trevian Bell 6-4 WF MM Joliet West/Illinois Wolves
Showed superb quickness and the ability to see the floor as a passer; made 12-15 jumpers and displayed maturity & good athleticism.
Isaac Gassman 6-5 G/F LM-D2 Ottawa/Quad City Elite
The long-armed-lefty was heavily viewed as much as Galesburg’s Meeker. Gassman showed he is a very skilled performer and versatile while having a true understanding of how to play. He is a feared outside shooter.
Isaiah Roby 6-8 F HM Dixon/Quad City Elite
The Nebraska recruit was flawless; he makes the game look so effortlessly at times; this promising prospect did it all for his team. Roby is a full-time perimeter player at the next level.
Keaton Rombach 6-7 F LM+-LM Ottawa/Chicago Lockdown
An intriguing player; can handle the ball and make some decisions on the perimeter; has transitioned his game from the interior to the wing position within the last year; his jump shot is coming along nicely; a player to watch in July.
Updates (2) 7/8/2015
Stevenson six foot five versatile junior Justin Smith will visit Illinois and Purdue over the weekend (6/26-28). He was arguably the best player at 30th Annual Morris Shout-Out. Smith rated top 4 in a talented 2017 crop has Duke, Indiana, DePaul, Northwestern, Illinois and Wake Forest on his trail.
Rend-Lake Community College continues to add promising layers to an already terrific recruiting class. The latest addition to their 2015-16 roster is Uplift’s explosive combo guard Deshon FLukus. This kid is an exceptional athlete in the open-floor and once he sharpens his jump shooting his value could soar. Unfortunately Morton’s talented guard Tony Haley didn’t make the cut academically. He fell short in the classroom after the hoop season. His team-mate Dexter Dale may still be available. Haley had initially signed with Rend-Lake.
Former Simeon stand-out forward Steve Taylor suited-up three years at Marquette where he received a significant amount of floor time has decided to leave the program. The six foot seven forward will sit-out next season at Toledo, then have one year remaining. “This was a strange twist, but I guess he and his decision-makers know what he’s signing-up for.”
Bradley cast-off Josh Cunningham heavily courted by the likes of DePaul and Illinois finally settled on Dayton as his destination. He will sit out next season and have 3 remaining years to perform, where he will join former club mates Kyle Davis and Kendall Pollard on the Flyer’s roster. The consensus in the Chicagoland area has him bolting Flyer Land after 2 seasons.
Chicago Whitney Young lost the brother tandem of Rodney Herenton a 6-1 senior guard and prized junior playmaker Willie Herenton and three year varsity letterman Skyler Nash a sometimes under-achieving forward. The trio was expected to amass 37-40 points per outing, that’s a hefty loss for any high-school team. The Herenton brothers will join hot-shot junior Justin Smith at Stevenson. While Nash will use the change of scenery at Riverside-Brookfield to rejuvenate his status as a well-rounded performer.
It was a damper upon hearing the recent transfer of potential high-scoring forward Bailey Basala a six foot five forward considered a top 25 prospect in a talented 2017 class. Basala averaged over 15 markers per game last season for Moline. He will cross the bridge and attend North Scott High in Iowa next season. Basala suits-up for the Iowa Barnstormers. In addition our state may lose 2016 top five prospect Jerry Myles (Net Gain Sports, MN) to one of the Iowa area schools or the Twin Cities. The talented 6-5 left-hander marred with some immature challenges at times could secure a high-major fit after summer play.
Rend-Lake Community College continues to add promising layers to an already terrific recruiting class. The latest addition to their 2015-16 roster is Uplift’s explosive combo guard Deshon FLukus. This kid is an exceptional athlete in the open-floor and once he sharpens his jump shooting his value could soar. Unfortunately Morton’s talented guard Tony Haley didn’t make the cut academically. He fell short in the classroom after the hoop season. His team-mate Dexter Dale may still be available. Haley had initially signed with Rend-Lake.
Former Simeon stand-out forward Steve Taylor suited-up three years at Marquette where he received a significant amount of floor time has decided to leave the program. The six foot seven forward will sit-out next season at Toledo, then have one year remaining. “This was a strange twist, but I guess he and his decision-makers know what he’s signing-up for.”
Bradley cast-off Josh Cunningham heavily courted by the likes of DePaul and Illinois finally settled on Dayton as his destination. He will sit out next season and have 3 remaining years to perform, where he will join former club mates Kyle Davis and Kendall Pollard on the Flyer’s roster. The consensus in the Chicagoland area has him bolting Flyer Land after 2 seasons.
Chicago Whitney Young lost the brother tandem of Rodney Herenton a 6-1 senior guard and prized junior playmaker Willie Herenton and three year varsity letterman Skyler Nash a sometimes under-achieving forward. The trio was expected to amass 37-40 points per outing, that’s a hefty loss for any high-school team. The Herenton brothers will join hot-shot junior Justin Smith at Stevenson. While Nash will use the change of scenery at Riverside-Brookfield to rejuvenate his status as a well-rounded performer.
It was a damper upon hearing the recent transfer of potential high-scoring forward Bailey Basala a six foot five forward considered a top 25 prospect in a talented 2017 class. Basala averaged over 15 markers per game last season for Moline. He will cross the bridge and attend North Scott High in Iowa next season. Basala suits-up for the Iowa Barnstormers. In addition our state may lose 2016 top five prospect Jerry Myles (Net Gain Sports, MN) to one of the Iowa area schools or the Twin Cities. The talented 6-5 left-hander marred with some immature challenges at times could secure a high-major fit after summer play.
Updates 7/8/2015
When DePaul landed a verbal from Curie’s highly touted 2016 guard Devin Gage, it didn’t blindside most observers. The Blue Demon’s Assistant Coach Billy Garrett Sr. has long coveted the six foot two Gage who is widely considered a top 50 recruit in a Downer 2016 class. He has been marred with injuries of late, but he should fit Leitao’s scheme for overall depth & versatility.
Iowa State plucked away Loyola-Chicago’s top assistant Daniyal Robinson. His departure will leave a gapping vacancy within some intrical areas. Robinson was always sharp/prepared and dialed in on his day to day responsibilities. Assistant Emmanuel Dildy should have an expanding role with recruiting as well as on the floor duties. Former Arkansas-Little-Rock Head Coach Steve Shields is slated to replace D-Rob who is returning to Iowa State in his second stint.
Chicago Lincoln Park High-School hired one-time assistant there, Pat Gordon. He should be able to give that once promising program a push forward.
Iowa State plucked away Loyola-Chicago’s top assistant Daniyal Robinson. His departure will leave a gapping vacancy within some intrical areas. Robinson was always sharp/prepared and dialed in on his day to day responsibilities. Assistant Emmanuel Dildy should have an expanding role with recruiting as well as on the floor duties. Former Arkansas-Little-Rock Head Coach Steve Shields is slated to replace D-Rob who is returning to Iowa State in his second stint.
Chicago Lincoln Park High-School hired one-time assistant there, Pat Gordon. He should be able to give that once promising program a push forward.
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