Top 10 Players in the 2017 Class

Top 10 Players in the 2017 Class

A class once considered top notch, lost some of its luster with the departure of nationally ranked recruit Jeremiah Tilman, Alonzo Verge, and Joe St. Pierre.  While Verge is back in the area after leaving the prep-school in Florida, he’s enrolled in Proviso West just bracing for an opportunity to display his jaw-dropping talents.  A Tilman return at East Louis next season would spark a frenzy within the fan base there after such a dismal season. “There lays hope he’s returning.”

1.       Jordon Goodwin   6-4     G/F       HM      Belleville Althoff – A stud, knows how to activate an audience, has winning intangibles, he’s a formidable recruit to any program.  The ultimate winner, primed to have is ball-club ready for a 3A title.  DePaul, Kansas, Illinois, Oklahoma, Missouri in hot pursuit.”

2.       Alonzo Verge Jr     6-4     PG        HM      Proviso West – “Sitting out at the West Suburban School since returning from Florida.  We miss his dazzling show!  Hope his academics will have him marketable.”

3.       Justin Smith 6-6     WF     HM       Stevenson -    “A marvelous talent, aligned with academics, size, athleticism and perimeter shooting; Big 10 schools in pursuit.”

4.       Charles Payton      6-7     WF        HM      Bloomington/Olympia H.S. – “Bazaar twist with 2 games left in the regular season, this talented prospect bolted for a little school in central Illinois, talk about obscurity. Everyone is hoping his academics will have him on par.”

5.       Christian Negro     6-7     F           HM      Elgin-Larkin – “Intriguing athlete, starting to look engaged often on both ends; offensive game is starting to take some shape.”

6.       Da’Monte Williams       6-3       G          HM      Peoria Manuel – Not always engaged, but when he is, he’s a terrific talent.  “A big summer awaits.”

7.       Nojel Eastern         6-5     G/F       HM      Evanston – Potentially he could be a versatile player who could mask in a variety of roles, so I’m indicating he’s a system type.  High-majors have been present; he will be closely viewed this spring & summer!

8.       Javon Pickett         6-5     G          HM      Belleville East – Illinois recruit is smooth operator with enormous potential and he’s starting to develop into a prime time scorer and leader.

9.       Evan Gilyard 5-10   PG           MM+-MM Chicago Simeon – “A gamer – lefty knows how to bring-it; great energy; can make big shots or create for mates.”

10.   Manny Patterson   6-8          SF   MM+-MM      Chicago Kenwood – He’s a valuable piece, not much of a scorer yet, but he impacts games with shot blocking, hitting the glass and patrolling the paint; he’s an intangible asset.”

Illinois Top Junior College Prospects

Illinois Top Junior College Prospects

We are about 99.9 percent accurate with this group’s destination, so many players are in denial when it comes to this route.  Embracing the journey could lead to promising pastures.  The top 13 are legitimate division-one recruits today!  “As of now, no Big 12, Big 10, PAC 12 types!  In lieu, perhaps three could surface as high-majors.”

1.       Tawone Keith        6-8           C    Chicago Farragut – “Big strappin kid with a huge upside, patrols the lanes, has good foot-work.  Offensive game starting to formulate; high-majors will come for him in 2 years.”

2.       Josh Thomas          6-4           G/F Chicago Simeon – “Strong body slasher/open-court assassin, I hope he can embrace this journey because he can benefit from a year of polish.”

3.       Ben Coupet 6-7     WF            Chicago Simeon – “He was terrific against Morgan Park in the City-Final where he drained 4 threes in the first quarter and he recorded 16 points.  Coupet looks more engaged these days.  I like his potential.”

4.       Jamal Parks 6-6     WF            Bloom – “Wiry wing, can knock-down shots on the perimeter; handles the rock well enough to get to sweet spots.  Eventual mid-major plus prospect.”

5.       Mykel Oliver          6-5           F    Chicago Hyde Park – “This dude is a stud; this lefty is a difference maker; excellent motor capable of making shots; superb athlete and defender.”

6.       DeShaun Jackson  6-3           G    Peoria Central – “Has versatility and good length, skilled, starting to come into his own as a sure-fire prospect; academically close, but this is his destination.”

7.       Dallas Morgan       6-1           G    Metamora – “Lefty combo who has that patent pull-up jumper, Dallas can get buckets in a hurry, old-school game.  Had a big game against Bloomington recently.”

8.       Jamal Burton         6-3           F    Morgan Park – “Athletic junk yard dog type; has improved some offensively on the perimeter.  He may opt for prep-school setting, but his decision makers may need to examine his best route.”

9.       Antonio Williams  5-11         G    Proviso East – “Breath-taking with the rock at times, playing with good fuel, after being saddled with academic woes.  Right now more of a combo and he’s his team’s best player.”

10.   Tyrone Rhivers       5-10         PG Chicago North-Lawndale – “A sleek catalyst for an up-start squad.  He’s been superb at orchestrating offense for his mates; mid-majors in Horizon League were once smitten by his play.”

11.   Tyrese Willford      5-9           PG Chicago Marshall - “A dazzling play-maker and scorer; he can get in the lanes with ease.  Tyrese has serious range on his J.  Fun to watch.”

12.   Dexter Smith          6-3           WG            Chicago North Lawndale - “A long distance bomber, this kid is unconscious with a quick trigger; he’s enjoying a marvelous season; very confident offensive player.”

13.   Evan Hines   6-3     G/F           Niles West – “An emotional lad; does possess some abilities as a jump shooter; he and his team marred by inconsistencies.  This route tailored for him!”

14.   Marquise Chairs    5-7           PG East St. Louis – “An electric talent; reliable shooter; just suffers from a lack of climate, hasn’t learned yet how to guide his team to victory or closing out games; not sure if he’s a DI recruit after juco.”

15.   Jalen Louie  6-4     SF             Chicago Lincoln Park – “A proto type interior at the juco level; Louie is a bruising lefty & sneaky athlete who is capable of averaging double digits in rebounds nightly.”

16.   Devin Brown          6-2           WG            Sparta (IL) – “Hit my radar recently; saw him for the 3^rd time the other night in a loss to Duquin, while he finished with 20 points; shot it well & played with a sense of urgency, unfortunately his team didn’t.  He could opt for baseball.”

17.   Chris Bender          6-2           G/F Richards – “This muscular lad can be lethal in the open court; athletic slasher, needs a year or two of seasoning.”

18.   Christian Hayes      6-2           G    DeLaSalle – “Vastly improving; right now playing on sheer athleticism; has had some astounding moments this season still raw & lack knowledge.”

19.   Dante Emerson      6-5           F    Bradley-Bourbonnais – “Strong body all-around performer; has improved his play nightly; his offensive game has been noticeable of late,”

20.   Douglas Lowery     6-7           SF  Chicago North-Lawndale – “This slender cut interior player with a wealth of potential has had some memorable moments this season; masks as a shot eraser and defender; now a juco residence will help him to hone some offensive punch.  Great energy-just needs polish.”

21.   Keymonta Johnson                6-4 F          Decatur MacArthur – “We’ve often had him pegged as a low D1 or a thriving D2 recruit, but word has surfaced that the productive lefty may need this route early.  When dialed in & connected he can be a difference maker.  Keymonta can handle/rebound/block shots/defend four positions – more importantly he can get you buckets.”

“More suiters we well add at another date.”