Scouting O’Fallon Shootout: 2016 Prospects Part 2
PrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance from start to finish at the Bank of O’Fallon Shootout. The event featured some of the top prospects in the state in a variety of classes. Here we break down part two of the prospects in…
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Continue ReadingPrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance from start to finish at the Bank of O’Fallon Shootout. The event featured some of the top prospects in the state in a variety of classes. Here we break down part two of the prospects in the class of 2016.
PG Tarkus Ferguson (Belleville Althoff – 2016)
The UIC commit did a little bit of everything for Althoff. The 6’4” combo guard didn’t shoot it particularly well from the field beyond hitting a pair of threes, but he did other things to get his team the W. Defensively Ferguson was a standout using his length to block multiple shots including a couple emphatically. Did a solid job on the glass and was a sound distributor. Ferguson had 8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks.
SF Brendon Gooch (Belleville Althoff – 2016)
Gooch was very similar to Ferguson stuffing the stat sheet. The 6’6” SIU commit did a great job with his length on defense blocking and altering shots. His three point shot was falling with consistency in this game. If he can get this to become a threat on a nightly basis Gooch has a chance to be very good at the next level. Also mixed in a pair of tough finishes inside. Hit the glass at a good clip against a big Kenwood front line. Gooch had 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks.
SG Chance Armstrong (O’Fallon – 2016)
Armstrong is a strong and angular 6’3” wing. He is at his best when he gets in the paint and scores around the hoop. Powerful using his strength to finish through contact. Handles are solid, but at times he brings the ball too high where it can be stripped through defenders. Jump shot has shown improvement in form and has more arc on it. The plus athlete has a quick second jump and is a solid rebounder for a wing. Sound passer for an off guard and has potential as a defender. He went for 12 points and 8 rebounds. Should be under consideration at the D3/NAIA/JUCO level.
PF Kaelen Johnson (Peoria Richwoods – 2016)
At 6’5” Johnson is intriguing at the college level with his frame and mobility. He is a wide shouldered four man that moves well for his size. Early in the game he was trying to play on the perimeter too much, but as the game went on he went to work in the post. Johnson is most effective when he gets the ball in the post and makes quick assertive moves. He seals well and has an impressive spin move on the block. Would have liked to seen him rebound at a higher rate. Johnson finished with 13 points and 3 rebounds. D3/NAIA/JUCO prospect.
PF Royce Newman (Nashville – 2016)
Newman is a physically built four man that has been consistently productive throughout his high school career for Nashville. At 6’7” 260 pounds Newman knows how to use his body to bang on the interior against opponents. I like how he posts up wide and calls for the basketball. Solid power back to the basket game. Newman did struggle quite a bit missing some easy point blank shots around the hoop. Quality rebounder on both ends of the floor. He had 12 points and 7 rebounds. Committed to Ole Miss for football.
SG Brady Bultman (Nashville – 2016)
It was Bultman who carried the scoring load for Nashville. The 6’3” senior wing is a crafty left handed guard that isn’t overly athletic, but gets the job done. Plus shooter with a clean stroke from beyond the three point arc. He is also a sound passer for an off guard with a feel for just making smart plays. Bultman went for 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 dimes. Hearing baseball might be his future in college.
C Korbin Farmer (Colombia – 2016)
At 6’7” Farmer showed some promise for Colombia. He is a thin and angular big man that has nice mobility around the hoop. High points rebounds. Has trouble finishing around the hoop partially because of his lack of strength. Flashes ability like an up and under and a left handed jump hook. Farmer had 10 points (4-11 FG) and 7 rebounds. A D3/NAIA that has time to develop him and build some strength could get a productive player in a couple years.
SG Xavier Sneed (Hazelwood Central, MO – 2016)
Sneed is an explosive 6’6” shooting guard with great size and athleticism. When he is the featured player he can be a dominant scorer. Huge opening quarter for the Kansas State commit. The explosive wing hit several pull up threes with a clean looking stroke although he started to go to it a little too much in their comeback attempt. Sneed knows how to use his elite athleticism and explosive first step to get to the rim off the bounce. Shot it well from the free throw line connecting on 12-14. Also did a nice job on the glass high pointing and snatching rebounds. Sneed had 31 points and 9 rebounds.
PF Dominique Dobbs (Hazelwood Central – 2016)
Dobbs was extremely impressive when we saw him last month at Highland. He wasn’t the same player against Morgan Park. The Mustangs threw multiple long and angular athletes at him which seemed to bother him. Dobbs is a crafty post that isn’t overly athletic. His best move of the day was a power step that he finished with a slam. Did a solid job on the offensive glass and got to the free throw line. He had 7 points and 8 rebounds. Probably a D2 prospect at the next level.
PG Jordan Barnes (CBC, MO – 2016)
It was a quiet first half for the Indiana State commit, but he got it going in the second half. The first thing he did well was getting to the free throw line and converting. Barnes went 13-13 from the line in the second half. Consistently got in the lane and to the rim where he was either fouled or converted acrobatic layups. Solid pull up shooter. Pushes the ball in the open floor with his speed. He had 21 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.
SG Christian Willis (CBC, MO – 2016)
Willis continues to be an underrated prospect. The athletic and strong wing excels scoring off the bounce and finishing through defenders at the rim. Also likes to get out in the transition game. Didn’t utilize his jumper much, but was effective attacking. He had 15 points and 6 rebounds. Committed to Arkansas State.
C Duane Clark (CBC, MO – 2016)
Clark for some reason didn’t start the game, but made his debut a couple minutes in. The 6’7” post is a big and physical center that has a thick body. He looked to use that to his advantage against a thinner Rakocevic. Clark scored a few times on the block with an up and under fake, high/low finish, and catching a big alley oop. The senior was solid on the boards as well. UMKC commit had 11 points and 8 rebounds.