NY2LA: 2018 Scouting Pt 2
PrepHoopsIllinois attended the NY2LA Sports Invitational over the weekend in Milwaukee. It featured an array of teams throughout the state of Illinois. Here is part two of our scouting report on the class of 2018 prospects at the event.
PF Joshua Sorenson (Mercury Elite)
The 6’7” power forward from Wheaton North High School is a skilled four man that can really stroke it from mid-range. Sound pick and pop shooter that can also take it a couple dribbles off the bounce from the mid-post. Small college player.
C Ben Wolf (Mercury Elite)
It wasn’t the greatest weekend for the highly rated center out of Naperville Central. The 6’8” post came off the bench and just couldn’t get things going. What he did do well was rebound within his area. Has strong hands to snatch rebounds. Physical bodied post that has the physical tools to play at the D1 level. Mixed in a couple of strong dunks around the hoop, but wasn’t the dominant post we were expecting. Should be under consideration by low-major D1 programs.
PF Ethan Schuemer (Mercury Elite)
Schuemer is a combo forward from Willowbrook. The 6’6” 2018 prospect works best from the mid-range and high-post areas. He can hit jumpers from that area at a solid clip. Also can attack from the high-post with a couple dribbles. Finishes well through contact at the rim. Crafty finisher. Not overly explosive, but has a knack for scoring. Solid rebounder. A bit of a tweener forward Shuemer is trying to make the transition to be more of a perimeter oriented three man. Low-major schools and D2 programs should be monitoring him.
PG Jack McDonald (Mercury Elite 17U)
McDonald was drilling threes for Mercury Elite 17U. The Geneva 5’10” point guard has a strong and stocky build. Crisp passer that made a few nice passes throughout the game, but his skill is definitely shooting. McDonald knocked down four triples off the catch. Quick release and he shoots it with a ton of confidence. Shooting specialist at the D3/NAIA level that will be a great find for a school in that role.
PG Xavier Pinson (Mac Irvin Fire NY2LA 17U)
Pinson has had a strong spring with the Mac Irvin Fire on the NY2LA circuit. He continued that over the weekend. Pinson is a smooth point guard that can both score and dish. Probably best as a facilitator. Vision in transition is at a very high level. Completes multiple full court dimes a game. Makes quick passes in traffic that he fits in tight spaces. As a scorer he likes to get in the lane finishing with runners. Tons of arc on his shot. The thin and rangy guard has definitely put himself in D1 consideration this spring.
C George Conditt (Team RWA 17U)
Conditt used his length and athleticism to swat a ton of shots against Kessel Heat. A couple he came from out of nowhere to pin them against the glass. The long and rangy 6’10” center has a chance to be a major defensive force at the college level. He has timing and anticipation to change shots both on the interior and perimeter. Good enough athlete that he has no problem defending in a ball screen. Jumper wasn’t falling on Saturday. He attacked a couple times facing up off the bounce including a sweet move where he shook his man, put them in a spin cycle, and finished with a right handed hook. Solid job on the glass. Conditt continues to see his stock rise each time we see him.
SF Kani Acree (Team RWA 17U)
The Carbondale 6’7” small forward is the running mate to Conditt, but is a D1 prospect in his own right. He has a nice combination of size, strength, and athleticism. His skill level has greatly improved over the last couple years from the first time we saw him. Drives it well off the bounce with a powerful first step, but his jumper was really on point Saturday. Acree hit back to back threes along with connecting on a variety of mid-range shots. Also makes plays in transition. Acree is a low-major prospect with mid-major potential if he continues to develop.
SG Colton Sandage (Team RWA)
Sandage is a 6’3” shooting guard out of Bloomington that impressed us playing with another team earlier in the spring. He is a quality athlete that is best shooting it from the perimeter. Lights out three point threat that when he gets on a roll can carry a team. Wasn’t a dominant scorer, but played his role effectively. Also mixed in a couple transition finishes. Quality D2 prospect.
PG Christian Payne (Team RWA)
Payne is a quick and shifty 5’9” point guard that will be playing at Yorkville High School next year after transferring from Nazareth Academy where he played his first three years. He is a lead guard that likes to dish the rock. Pesky on ball defender that has quality leadership qualities. Good D3/NAIA prospect.
SG Andrew Amft-Reyes (Team RWA)
Amft-Reyes can really shoot it. The 6’5” Lake Forest Academy wing has a strong body. Best as a spot up shooter from deep. Effective as a catch and shoot threat. Made several threes and a mid-range pull up. Also rebounds well for his position. Small college shooter with some upside.