PrepHoopsIllinois Top 250 Expo: 2019 Standouts Part 2
The PrepHoopsIllinois Top 250 Expo had a great group of prospects throughout all four classes, but the class of 2019 might have been the most impressive. It had high end talent as well as a ton of new names that emerged. Here is part 2 of our standouts from the class of 2019.
PG Marquise Kennedy (Crete Monee – 2019)
At 6’0” Kennedy looks to be the next in line of solid point guards over the years at Crete Monee. Kennedy is an aggressive and attacking guard that liked to get in the lane and make scoring plays. Jumper needs some more consistency. Active hands on the defensive end at the point of attack.
PG DeAndre Vortes (Simeon – 2019)
Vortes stands at 5’10” and hails from powerhouse Simeon. Tough guard that really competes. Liked the energy that he brought to the game. Showed the ability to hit some perimeter shots including threes. Was willing to stick his nose in and rebound a little despite his lack of height.
G Rodney Clemons (Curie – 2019)
Curie has always had point guards that can shoot it from three. Next up is this 6’1” combo guard. He was on fire from beyond the arc in one of the games we witnessed. Range went well beyond the three point arc with ease. Plus spot up shooter.
SF Keeshawn Chambers (Solorio – 2019)
The 6’5” Chambers has a lot of projectability to his game. Long and lanky frame and looks like he should continue to grow. Was able to handle the ball on the perimeter with a quick first step and attack the cup with his long strides toward the hoop. One to watch closely going forward.
G Alex Raiford (De La Salle – 2019)
Projectable combo guard at 6’3” with good length and fluidity to his game. Plus athlete that is smooth with the rock attacking off the bounce. Best in the transition game. Also has a flare for passing on occasion. More of a scoring combo at this stage.
C Alex Timmerman (Crystal Lake Central – 2019)
Timmerman continues to impress. The 6’8” Crystal Lake Central post jumped on our radar in late July and he continued his strong play at the Top 250 Expo. Gets deep post position and opens wide in the paint for the ball. Soft hands allow him to catch difficult passes in traffic. While not being the best vertical athlete Timmerman is an outstanding rebounder that positions his body and clears the glass on a consistent basis. Scores well with his back to the basket with touch. Intriguing center prospect in 2019.
PF Daniel Hunt (Simeon – 2019)
Hunt is another Simeon prospect to track in 2019. Stands at 6’5” with broad shoulders and a wide frame. Finished well inside with power and even stepped out to hit a three. Moves well laterally on the defensive end. Need to track him to see if he will grow and how much the skill level continues to emerge.
PG Fred Cleveland (Urban Prep Englewood – 2019)
Cleveland is a tiny point guard that will have to grow significantly in the next three years to max out his abilities, but he definitely has game. The Urban Prep Englewood lead guard is a magician with the ball in his hands. Slick handles in the open floor and has the ability to beat his man off the bounce in the half court. Electric passer when he looks to dish. Like to shoot threes. Has deep range on shot, but at times can fall in love with it and force a few too many. Level projection will depend on how much he grows and gets stronger.
PG Max Williams (Latin – 2019)
The Latin 6’1” point guard showed off some offensive skill at the Top 250 Expo. Williams can hit a catch and shoot three as well as be slippery getting to the hoop.
SF Marquise Ratcliff (St. Joseph’s – 2019)
Intriguing upside with this 6’3” St. Joseph’s wing. Looks bigger than he was listed at and has a good build. Big time athlete that plays with a non-stop motor up and down the floor on both ends. Best on the interior using his physicality and athleticism against weaker opponents. Will track his skill level progression over the next few years.
PG Pierre Black Jr (Larkin – 2019)
At 5’11” this sophomore point guard displayed that he could be a knock down shooter from three. Quick release on his stroke and drilled lots of threes. Also stuck his nose in and rebounded well for his size/position.
PF Jackson Tanner (Latin – 2019)
Tanner is a prospect that is going to be interesting to track his progress because there are some aspects of his game to get excited about. At 6’6” he has a frame where he should continue to grow. Struggled a bit finishing, but with added strength to his frame over the next couple years that should help. Tanner is an outstanding rebounder on both ends. Good feel for where it is coming off the glass and snatching it with both hands.
G Tyreon Harden (Bogan – 2019)
Combo guard from Bogan that is a very good perimeter shooter. The 5’10” scoring point guard was able to knock down threes off the catch as well as pull up mid-range shots.
SG Rocco Ronzio (Hersey – 2019)
At 6’1” this guard from Hersey really shoots it well from deep. Range on his shot that stretches to the college three point line with ease. Gets elevation off the floor.
PG TJ Ervin (Providence St. Mel – 2019)
Ervin is a coach’s son and an extension of that on the floor. Even in a camp setting you could tell that Ervin had a maturity about his game. Lacks ideal height as he is listed at 5’5”, but consistently got in the lane with blow by moves off the bounce. Also like his toughness on the defensive end of the floor. Pesky on ball defender that pressures at the point of attack.