We missed some crucial late season observation/evaluations due to the pandemic; by now we would have had a really good pulse as well as some clarity on most of the players in the Class.
After losing Max Christie and Bryce Hopkins, this is what we now have under wraps on our board in terms of top notch/high caliber/or how about potential high-major recruits pegged for success at the next level. Let us be mindful… I’ve been around Chicago hoops scene for 48 years since the early 70’s, following closely and have seen our area at its highest peak, so we aren’t going to carve out a lot of fluff. We are going to give you straight ques’ & reads.
Sunday, July 12, 2020
A SETTLE CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP
“We are starting to see a new era of head coaches materialize. We envision these guys faring well.”
• Mike Smith Chicago Perspective
“Entering his first varsity job. He will revive that Program which is the old Calumet (my alma mater). Smith is a former Illinois Warrior, so expectations are high for him.”
• Byron Burton Chicago St. Laurence
“Formerly at Mather for 2 years. Will have his hands full early on in the Catholic League until he builds his brand to stand on.”
• Phil Gary Oak Park
“1-year at Walter Payton, left to take over at his alma mater where he will have the opportunity to reset his whole Program. And certainly, refurbish the culture.”
• Jamere Dismukes Hyde Park Academy
“Impressed in his 1-year at Rich East. He is a rising star in the industry. A tireless worker with an eye-popping resume. Will be a future College coach; look for him to make his mark in the Chicago Public League Red South.”
• Antoine “A.J.” Jennings Lincoln Park
“Former Morgan Park Assistant will take over the top Program on the North Side. The LP Alum has much invested, he should be able to get off the ground running quickly with his Program. Former Illinois Warrior Alum.”
• Mike Smith Chicago Perspective
“Entering his first varsity job. He will revive that Program which is the old Calumet (my alma mater). Smith is a former Illinois Warrior, so expectations are high for him.”
• Byron Burton Chicago St. Laurence
“Formerly at Mather for 2 years. Will have his hands full early on in the Catholic League until he builds his brand to stand on.”
• Phil Gary Oak Park
“1-year at Walter Payton, left to take over at his alma mater where he will have the opportunity to reset his whole Program. And certainly, refurbish the culture.”
• Jamere Dismukes Hyde Park Academy
“Impressed in his 1-year at Rich East. He is a rising star in the industry. A tireless worker with an eye-popping resume. Will be a future College coach; look for him to make his mark in the Chicago Public League Red South.”
• Antoine “A.J.” Jennings Lincoln Park
“Former Morgan Park Assistant will take over the top Program on the North Side. The LP Alum has much invested, he should be able to get off the ground running quickly with his Program. Former Illinois Warrior Alum.”
EARLY 2021 COMMITMENTS
We still have some very talented prospects on the board in this Class.
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
• Bryce Hopkins 6-7 G/F 2 Fenwick / University Louisville
• Isaiah Barnes 6-7 WG 6 Simeon / University Michigan
• Max Christie 6-6 PG 1 Rolling Meadows / Michigan State Univ.
One of Chicago’s favorite son’s Will Bailey has moved on to the University of South Carolina, after spending four seasons at St. Louis U. working along side of Travis Ford. Will was recently recognized as one of the top assistant coaches in the Atlantic 10. The former Illinois Warrior Alum is a star on the rise, a proven winner which has been noted at each of his coaching stops. Head coach will be his next title.
Morgan Park’s assistant coach Antione “A.J.” Jennings was named the new Lincoln Park Head Coach, replacing the popular Pat Gordon who will always be viewed in many of our eyes as a classy high-character guy. Jennings, a favorite of ours and a former Illinois Warrior Alum, will inherit a Program with an abundance of talent up & down its roster. Lincoln Park is recognized as one of the Public League’s top 4 or 5 academic schools as well as a rising basketball Program in recent years. Gordon did a phenomenal job of building a solid foundation that created a winning culture. Jennings is fortunate to have the template in place to keep the Program in a sustaining mode. A.J. is a Lincoln Park grad/alum so he has a lot invested. Great hire…
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
• Bryce Hopkins 6-7 G/F 2 Fenwick / University Louisville
• Isaiah Barnes 6-7 WG 6 Simeon / University Michigan
• Max Christie 6-6 PG 1 Rolling Meadows / Michigan State Univ.
One of Chicago’s favorite son’s Will Bailey has moved on to the University of South Carolina, after spending four seasons at St. Louis U. working along side of Travis Ford. Will was recently recognized as one of the top assistant coaches in the Atlantic 10. The former Illinois Warrior Alum is a star on the rise, a proven winner which has been noted at each of his coaching stops. Head coach will be his next title.
Morgan Park’s assistant coach Antione “A.J.” Jennings was named the new Lincoln Park Head Coach, replacing the popular Pat Gordon who will always be viewed in many of our eyes as a classy high-character guy. Jennings, a favorite of ours and a former Illinois Warrior Alum, will inherit a Program with an abundance of talent up & down its roster. Lincoln Park is recognized as one of the Public League’s top 4 or 5 academic schools as well as a rising basketball Program in recent years. Gordon did a phenomenal job of building a solid foundation that created a winning culture. Jennings is fortunate to have the template in place to keep the Program in a sustaining mode. A.J. is a Lincoln Park grad/alum so he has a lot invested. Great hire…
RE-STRUCTURING
It seems the pandemic we are faced with today has many in our nation scrambling of sorts and operating under duress. There is no question, it is taken a daunting toll on decisions most deal with daily and athletes are not exempt. Our state’s much sought-after prospect, Max Christie, gave a verbal to Michigan State on Tuesday. The six-foot six Rolling Meadows star is regarded as the 12th ranked prospect in the country and the No.1 player in Illinois. Christie indicated that Covid-19 played a huge impact on his early decision. Reportedly he took his official visit to Michigan State early March, just two weeks before the Coronavirus brought a screeching halt to the sports world. Christie and his silky-smooth game will join forces with two other highly acclaimed prospects who also recently gave a verbal to the Spartan Program. The consensus No.1 player in the country 6-8 multi-talented, Emoni Bates and another standout diaper-dandy recruit, Pierre Brooks rounds up an impressive trio. Kudos to coach Tom Izzo and his staff. The Rolling Meadows star was the state’s highest ranked recruit to pledge to Michigan State since Proviso East’s Shannon Brown in the early 2000s. Christie averaged 25 points & 11 rebounds a game last season.
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
TOP YOUNGSTERS IN THE 2023 CLASS
We are hopeful with this group.
• Javonte Taylor 6-7 WF 1 Morgan Park“Slender lad is arguably the No.1 player in the Class. Has to get stronger. He maybe on the move.”
• Dalen Davis 5-11 PG 2 Whitney Young“Has that old Chicago throwback hooper mentality.”
• Jeremy Fears Jr. 5-10 PG 3 Joliet West“Plays with a wealth of flair & confidence. Has leadership ability.”
• Macaleb Rich 6-5 WF 4 East St. Louis“Explosive wing with superb athleticism, displayed the ability to shoot the ball on the perimeter some.”
• Asa Thomas 6-4 G 5 Lake Forest“Unassuming lookn’ baller, a two-sport standout.”
• Marcus Pigram 6-1 G 6 Whitney Young“A wiry performer who values education. Enjoyed a terrific year on the soph team.”
• Donaven Younger 6-7 WF 7 Bolingbrook“Rangy prospect with good length, spends most of his time on the perimeter.”
• Cameron Willford 5-10 PG 8 Lincoln Park“We were extremely impressed with his poise and the ability to lead/manage.”
• Damarion Wyatt 5-11 G 9 North Lawndale“Highly regarded hooper on the Chicago West Side, potential to be a high scorer.”
• Tevonta Jackson 6-1 PG 10 Springfield Lanphier“Speedster with the ability to see the floor extremely well.”
• Darrin “Dai Dia Ames 6-0 G 11 Morgan Park“Lefty with a big heart can make big shots. Likely on the move. Rumored to be headed to De La Salle.”
• Khalil Ross 6-5 F 12 Lincoln Way East“Sleek southpaw with a hooper’s mentality; slasher/good athlete with the ability to rebound & block shots.”
• Jackson Kotecki 6-6 F 13 St. Ignatius“Promising prospect with a very good skill-set & has a solid feel for the game.”
• Mekhi Cooper 5-9 G 14 Bolingbrook“Rotated between the sophomore and varsity team most of the season. Served as a spark in several games down the stretch. This kid shoots the long ball with accuracy.”
• Ethan Kizer 6-5 F 15 Metamora“Highly touted in Central Illinois. Ethan has shown an array of all-around offensive ability, he just needs to get stronger.”
• Javonte Taylor 6-7 WF 1 Morgan Park“Slender lad is arguably the No.1 player in the Class. Has to get stronger. He maybe on the move.”
• Dalen Davis 5-11 PG 2 Whitney Young“Has that old Chicago throwback hooper mentality.”
• Jeremy Fears Jr. 5-10 PG 3 Joliet West“Plays with a wealth of flair & confidence. Has leadership ability.”
• Macaleb Rich 6-5 WF 4 East St. Louis“Explosive wing with superb athleticism, displayed the ability to shoot the ball on the perimeter some.”
• Asa Thomas 6-4 G 5 Lake Forest“Unassuming lookn’ baller, a two-sport standout.”
• Marcus Pigram 6-1 G 6 Whitney Young“A wiry performer who values education. Enjoyed a terrific year on the soph team.”
• Donaven Younger 6-7 WF 7 Bolingbrook“Rangy prospect with good length, spends most of his time on the perimeter.”
• Cameron Willford 5-10 PG 8 Lincoln Park“We were extremely impressed with his poise and the ability to lead/manage.”
• Damarion Wyatt 5-11 G 9 North Lawndale“Highly regarded hooper on the Chicago West Side, potential to be a high scorer.”
• Tevonta Jackson 6-1 PG 10 Springfield Lanphier“Speedster with the ability to see the floor extremely well.”
• Darrin “Dai Dia Ames 6-0 G 11 Morgan Park“Lefty with a big heart can make big shots. Likely on the move. Rumored to be headed to De La Salle.”
• Khalil Ross 6-5 F 12 Lincoln Way East“Sleek southpaw with a hooper’s mentality; slasher/good athlete with the ability to rebound & block shots.”
• Jackson Kotecki 6-6 F 13 St. Ignatius“Promising prospect with a very good skill-set & has a solid feel for the game.”
• Mekhi Cooper 5-9 G 14 Bolingbrook“Rotated between the sophomore and varsity team most of the season. Served as a spark in several games down the stretch. This kid shoots the long ball with accuracy.”
• Ethan Kizer 6-5 F 15 Metamora“Highly touted in Central Illinois. Ethan has shown an array of all-around offensive ability, he just needs to get stronger.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)