Illinois 2017 Best Available Post Players
College programs are always looking for quality post players especially late in the process. Here are the top ones left in Illinois. PF Manny Patterson (Kenwood) The 6’7” four man has broad shoulders and strength in his upper body. …
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Continue ReadingCollege programs are always looking for quality post players especially late in the process. Here are the top ones left in Illinois.
PF Manny Patterson (Kenwood)
The 6’7” four man has broad shoulders and strength in his upper body. He is at his best as a rebounder snatching them with his strong hands while boxing out his man. Gets on the offensive glass for put backs. Flashes skill, but most of his points come on put backs or dump off passes from his guards. He has made strides as a low post scorer as a senior. Tough post defender that is a rugged low post player. Low-major prospect.
PF Taylor Bruninga (Illini Bluffs)
Bruninga’s name was known after his play on the circuit for the Illinois Irish. He made huge jump in the rankings after backing up his spring with a strong July jumping up the rankings and another move up the board this time around as well. He shot the ball well which is his biggest asset, but what impressed us was his ability to shot fake and go around his guy along with fighting on the interior. Playing against small school central Illinois competition Bruninga has absolutely dominated going for 35+ and 15+ on a nightly basis. He is a heavily recruited prospect at the D2 level garnering multiple offers after the summer. We feel that he should be given more consideration at the low-major level.
PF Malik Binns (Bolingbrook)
Binns stands at 6’6” with a physical body. He is your classic junk yard dog big man for the next level. Little undersized, but out plays his opponent. Good position defender that holds his ground in the post. He is not overly skilled offensively at this stage, but does have a right handed hook. Most of his dunks come on explosive alley oop slams or jams around the hoop. Quality D2 prospect that if a low-major would take him at 6’6” could turn into something.
C Joey St. Pierre (Richmond Burton)
At 6’9” with a physical frame St. Pierre certainly brings a big body to the table. The bruising five man is a solid rebounder and can score at times using his physicality on the block. Little mechanical. He has been flying under the radar as a senior. High end D2 prospect.
PF Collin Stallworth (Rochester)
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 took up a notch at the end of July was his rebounding. He was assertive snatching 50/50 balls out of the air. Was active defensively swatting shots. He showed great improvement on his jump shot range stretching it out to beyond the three point arc. Quality D2 kid with upside.
PF Lenell Henry (Morgan Park)
Henry is a long and athletic post that is a quiet producer for both his high school and travel team. He knows he is never going to get post touches and is ok with that. He crashes the glass for put backs, runs the floor hard, and has shot blocking potential. D2 programs would be wise to look here.
PF Cameron Gross (OPRF)
Gross is a 6’5” undersized four man that has a nice combination of strength and mobility. He moves well for his size and really gets after it on the glass. Tenacious rebounder that grabs them well in traffic. Solid presence in the paint as a post defender. Offensively he has some skill on the block and can face up on occasion. Projects as a solid D2 prospect.
C Addison Lubert (St. Viator)
At 6’9” he has legit size and tremendous length. Defensively his mobility plays well being able to move blocking and altering shots. Good area rebounder that fights for 50/50 balls and is tough on the glass. Offensively runs the floor very well for his size. Good footwork around the hoop. Lubert has been inconsistent throughout the year. The two games we saw him play he was nonexistent, but has put up double doubles in other games. Think this is one that D2’s should look into because of the size and potential.
PF Justin Brown (Marist)
Brown stands at 6’9” with a long and lanky frame. Mobile around the hoop. Flashes potential in the paint offensively with a nice hook shot and soft touch. Misses some shots due to lack of strength through bigger defenders. Once he gets stronger has potential to be a force. Shot blocking presence on the defensive end with timing. Like how he has added a post passing presence to his game. D2 target.