Illinois 2018 Top Wings
Solid group of wings in the junior class across the state of Illinois. We go in-depth on the best ones here. SG Tim Finke (Champaign Central) Finke is the state’s top wing prospect and #2 overall with 15+ D1…
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Continue ReadingSolid group of wings in the junior class across the state of Illinois. We go in-depth on the best ones here.
SG Tim Finke (Champaign Central)
Finke is the state’s top wing prospect and #2 overall with 15+ D1 offers on the table. The reason is he has great size for position at 6’5” with the ability to really shoot it from the perimeter with deep range on his three. Also is a plus athlete that can win off the bounce and get out in transition. Finke moves great without the ball to get open as well. Projects as a high-major prospect.
SF Talen Horton-Tucker (Simeon)
THT has steadily improved throughout his career to where he has now settled in and established himself among the premier prospects in the class of 2018. The Simeon wing stands at 6’4” with a thick body. Good athlete for his size/strength and has the body control to finish in the lane consistently. Spot up threat from three. Plus wing rebounder. Just gets things done. High-major prospect.
SG Drew Peterson (Libertyville)
Peterson has great size at 6’7” with a long and projectable frame where he should continue to be able to add strength. Early in his career he was known more for his slashing getting to the basket which he still does well, but the jump shot has greatly improved being able to hit pull ups with regularity as well as stretch to beyond the arc. High-major/mid-major plus player.
SG Cardell McGee (Springfield Lanphier)
McGee had a strong July with Yanders Law and has played a bigger role for his high school team at Lanphier this season. The 6’2” shooting guard plays bigger than his height with quality length. Plus athlete that is at his best making plays in the open floor especially as a finisher. Defensively he has potential to be very good long term. Mid-major player.
SG Kezo Brown (Simeon)
Brown has played like the old Kezo that we saw when he was a freshman after a down sophomore campaign. The lefty is shooting it well from the perimeter being a sniper from deep spotting up on the wings and ready to let it fly when it is kicked to him. Making plays as a finisher in transition with his plus body control around the hoop. Also competing on the defensive end. Mid-major prospect.
SG Malachi Smith (Belleville East)
Smith is a wing scorer that took the confidence he gained over the summer with the Southwest Jets into the high school season. He is playing along one of the premier wings in the state in Javon Pickett, but that hasn’t stopped Smith from posting huge numbers. We have seen him go for 20+ on multiple occasions in person this season. Smooth offensive game with the ability to create his own shot. Mid-major prospect.
SG Javon Freeman (Whitney Young)
Freeman transferred over to Whitney Young after Seton closed where he put himself on the radar last year. The long and thin wing had a small adjustment period playing with the Dolphins, but now he has made that adjustment and become one of their key players. Rangy wing can score off the dribble and gets after it defensively. Upside here. Mid-major/low-major prospect.
SG RJ McGee (Kenwood)
McGee is an elite level athlete that has improved his skill level over the last six months. The Kenwood junior has a nice combination of size and strength. The difference in his game and what has elevated his status is the improved jump shot and more offensive scoring prowess. Plus perimeter defender that has a chance to be a beast on that end if he wants to lock in. Low-major player.
SG Darius Beane (Carbondale)
Beane has definitely improved during his junior year. The Carbondale wing is much more assertive on both ends of the floor. Particularly what he has done offensively seeking his shot more has been impressive. He is a sound mid-range jump shooter that creates space and gets elevation with a clean shot mechanically. Also stretches it to three on occasion off the bounce. Flashes his ability to get to the hoop off the bounce. Plus passer for an off guard. Length and athleticism allow him to defend well on the perimeter. Low-major prospect that has the chance to be a mid-major player.
SG Lacey Watson (Rock Island)
The 2018 guard has go to scorer ability. The athletic wing likes to get to the hoop in the half court by beating his man off the bounce. He gets to the free throw line at a high rate because of it. Potential on his jump shot is definitely there from mid-range and stretches it out to three on occasion. Shot selection is an area he will need to continue to improve as he takes some bad shots at times. Defensively he gets in passing lanes every now and then for steals. Low-major prospect.
SG Justin Boyd (Whitney Young)
The 6’3” junior shooting guard for the Dolphins has showed off a little more versatility while still doing what he does best this season. Boyd is an athletic wing that’s biggest asset is his spot up shooting. Spaces the floor with his perimeter shot off the catch. Gets some acrobatic layups on occasion. Also contributes rebounding and passing. Boyd is a low-major prospect.
SF Justin Hardy (St. Charles East)
The junior stands at 6’5” with a strong upper body. He plays with a consistent motor and toughness. The biggest area of improvement in his game has been the progression of his perimeter game. The ball handling has made strides as has his jump shot. Consistency on the jumper is coming around. Improving athlete that will flash a dunk above the rim on occasion. Quality low-major prospect in 2018.