Scouting KC: Saturday Standouts
PrepHoopsIllinois closed out the July evaluation period with a full day at the Sunflower Showcase. It was dominated by Jets/Ramey United and their star Javon Pickett. Let’s dive into the standouts from Saturday in KC. SF Javon Pickett (Jets/Ramey…
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Continue ReadingPrepHoopsIllinois closed out the July evaluation period with a full day at the Sunflower Showcase. It was dominated by Jets/Ramey United and their star Javon Pickett. Let’s dive into the standouts from Saturday in KC.
SF Javon Pickett (Jets/Ramey United 17U)
The Illini commit finished July with a bang! In his two games on Saturday he hit a game winner in the first and had possibly his best grassroots game all summer in front of his future head coach. Pickett came out aggressive early in their morning game and then looked to facilitate and find his teammates. When the game was on the line against Team Griffin from the Nike EYBL Pickett made some clutch plays late including the game winning tip in at the buzzer as time expired. He had 16 points in that game. In the nightcap with Illinois Head Coach John Groce front and center Pickett went off! He scored 17 points just like that to open the game. The 6’4” small forward was slippery through traffic getting to the hoop at will where he converted multiple and-1s. The jump shot started falling shortly after that. Pickett drilled multiple from mid-range. He continued it throughout the second half making plays in the open floor and playing aggressive throughout. He finished with 32 points. In our eyes he is without question a top 100 player nationally and is making a case to move even higher in the state rankings.
PG Mark Smith (Jets/Ramey United 17U)
Smith was another key star for the team of the day on Saturday. The thick bodied 6’4” point guard from Edwardsville has been our radar for several years, but he is turning college coaches heads now that he has decided to decommit from his Mizzou baseball commitment and look at his basketball options. Smith has landed a trio of D1 offers in the last several days. Expect more to come after a pair of 20+ point performances on Saturday. He is so powerful and crafty getting in the paint and to the hoop. Tough to cover when he gets a head of steam going. Also is a plus pull up mid-range shooter with balance and form. Can stretch it out to three on occasion. Tough rebounder for a lead guard and makes solid decisions as a floor general. Should continue to be a guy that low-major schools show more and more interest in.
PF Collin Stallworth (Jets/Ramey United 17U)
Stallworth continues to impress with his play in KC. The 6’7” power forward from Rochester High School has a great frame with long arms, broad shoulders, muscle tone, and big time athleticism. Shows that athleticism catching monster lobs. The part that he has taken up a notch in his final grassroots event has been his rebounding. He was assertive snatching 50/50 balls out of the air. Was active defensively swatting shots. In their night game he showed great improvement on his jump shot range stretching it out to beyond the three point arc. Potential low-major prospect.
SF Oliver Stephen (Jets/Ramey United 17U)
Stephen is another Edwardsville product who has been a bit streaky shooting it in July. When he is on however he is one of the premier shooters in the state. He showed that ability for the Jets on Saturday night connecting on quite a few from beyond the arc. With his size and perimeter shooting ability he is a low-major/D2 prospect.
PF Ethan Chargois (Team Griffin 17U)
The big bodied 6’8” post from Oklahoma was a load inside! He is a massive young man, but actually moves fairly well for his size up and down the floor. Offensively he gets deep post position and finishes over defenders with quick moves. Flashed ability to step out and hit a mid-range jumper. He was dominant on the glass boxing out and clearing space to grab boards.
PG Josiah Wallace (Grassroots Indiana 17U)
Wallace is a point guard from downstate Marshall who recently reopened his recruitment. The rising senior plays off the ball mostly for his team, but projects as a point guard at the next level. Wallace has a great feel for the game with his ability to dish it in the half court. Slick ball handler that sees the floor and when in the lane makes sick passes to teammates for assists. At times can force them in there a little too much. Didn’t look to score much, but converted a couple mid-range jumpers. Low-major/D2 prospect.
PF Kevin Williams (Team Illinois 17U)
The 6’7” power forward from Rantoul has a terrific build to him. The rising senior is super strong while maintaining his mobility in the paint. Makes quick moves in the paint once he receives the ball on the block. Displayed a nice jump hook with his left hand. Seals off his man and is just overall very efficient with his touches. Plus rebounder. Needs to work on free throw shooting. The low post four man should be given a look at the D2 level and would be a great D3/NAIA big.
PG Dazon Farris (Team Illinois 17U)
Farris shot lights out when we saw him during the high school season and he did it again in KC. The 6’2” combo guard from Bloomington High School has a free and easy release with a soft touch along with a lot of arc which makes it go in on a pretty consistent basis. Deep range on his shot. Also had a couple nice drives. Would like to see continued improvement as a point guard for the next level. Really high D3/NAIA kid!
PF Jack Nunge (Pocket City 17U)
The 6’10” post from Indiana was a force once again. The high academic big man brought in a lot of coaches for his matchup against Team Griffin’s high-major front line. Nunge performed well using his mobility to score on the interior with skilled moves and getting deep post positioning. Nunge can also stretch the defense with his perimeter shot. Solid area rebounder. Should be on most high-major radars in the Midwest.
SG Malachi Smith (Southwest Jets 16U)
Smith put on a show that might have only been topped by his high school teammate at Belleville East later in the day. The 6’3” shooting guard let the game come to him and he took over scoring at certain points. Smooth wing that has broad shoulders and long arms. Made several nifty drives through traffic for finishes. His three ball was falling in this one. Potential as a scorer! He had 25 points.
PG Kevin Caldwell (Southwest Jets 16U)
Caldwell got things going early for the Jets in the game we saw. The Alton point guard is a quick and shifty lead guard that is a playmaker with the rock in his hands. Great athlete with a burst of speed. Can hit a three pulling up. He had 17 points in their win.