Run N Slam: Sunday Standouts
PrepHoopsIllinois closed out the Run N Slam on Sunday with another quality day of games. Check out what prospects were the Sunday Standouts in Ft. Wayne!
SG Nimari Burnett (Mac Irvin Fire 15U)
The Morgan Park shooting guard proved why he is considered one of the top 5 prospects in the 2020 class with his play in Ft. Wayne. He is a big time shot maker. Burnett is at his best drilling threes from deep off the catch. Can also connect from mid-range in the pull up game. Had a couple athletic finishes at the rim. Not an overly explosive player off the bounce at this stage. Burnett has high-major potential.
PG Ahron Ulis (Meanstreets 15U)
The younger brother of Phoenix Suns point guard Tyler Ulis has made strides in his game this spring. Ulis runs a team well in the half court making sound decisions with the ball. Not an big time athlete, but he gets where he needs on the floor. He is an above average three point shooter early in the process. Showed throughout the weekend he could drill threes at a solid clip.
SF Jerome Hunter (OH Nova 17U)
At 6’7” Hunter is an intriguing prospect out of Pickerington North High School in Ohio. He has been one of the hottest names in Midwest recruiting circles over the last few weeks. We saw first-hand in Ft. Wayne why that was the case. The forward has size and versatility. Played both the three and four spots for OH Nova. His jump shot really stands out. Shot it well from all three levels. Was particularly effective from three off the catch. When he gets his feet set and is in rhythm he is a problem from deep. Can also pull up from mid-range creating separation from his defender. Showed his handles best in transition including a play where he grabbed a defensive rebound and took it coast to coast. Underrated wing passer. Hunter had 25 points in the game we saw. High-major prospect.
SG Josh Boulanger (Chicago Lockdown 17U)
Boulanger is a 6’2” shooting guard out of Brother Rice High School. The 2018 wing flew a bit under the radar with the dominance of their senior backcourt duo last year, but we came away extremely impressed with what he brought to the table. First and foremost he is an outstanding rebounder for his position. Crashes the glass hard and high points the ball. Offensively he showed potential on a jump shot as he hit a couple threes when we saw him with Chicago Lockdown. Smooth and fluid athlete that is comfortable playing in transition. Had a posterizing dunk! Should be on the D2, D3, and NAIA radars.
PF Luke Nauman (Chicago Lockdown 17U)
Nauman is an undersized 6’4” power forward that plays bigger than his height. Strong and physical frame. He is effective on the offensive end getting on the glass for putbacks. Quick to the boards for second chance opportunities. Plays with a ton of toughness inside. Not a big time scorer, but he does make an occasional quick move on the block. Nauman should be on the small college radar.
F Donita Johnson (Hoops4Health 17U)
Johnson stands at 6’7” with a great frame and strength. He totally looks the part of a big time player. Early in his career he has flashed in spurts, but never put an entire game together. He did that on Sunday against Chicago Lockdown. The biggest thing was with how much a motor he played with. The hardest we have seen him consistently play as he usually drifts in and out of games. His jump shot was on point. Hit a three along with an array of mid-range shots. The projectable combo forward made a few nice passes and had a coast to coast drive. Defensively he has the tools, but needs to get lower in his stance and have more of a defensive mentality. Right now he is a D2 prospect with low-major upside.
SG Ryan Saunders (Hoops4Health 17U)
Joliet Central 2018 Ryan Saunders played one of the best games we have seen him over the last year. He is a big time athlete that is extremely bouncy with his long strides and jumping ability. Connected on a pair of threes. Attacked the basket with force and hit the offensive glass for multiple put backs. High-level athlete that projects as a D2 prospect at this stage.
PF Jordan Kwiechinski (Illinois Wolves 15U)
Kwiechinski is a 6’6” four man from Loyola that has long term upside. He is rail thin at this stage and will need to add significant strength over the next three years. Like how he is a scrappy player and plays with a lot of grit. High points rebounds and plays hard. Runs the floor extremely well for a big. Hit a nice pull up mid-range shot. Intriguing prospect to watch his development.
PG Donovan Newby (Illinois Wolves 15U)
Newby is a 6’0” point guard that is athletic and tough. He gets in the lane with relative ease. Quick and shifty guard that made plays with pull up jumpers, floaters, and is a great layup maker through contact despite not being the biggest guard. Pesky defender. Newby impressed all weekend.
SG Christian Shumate (Chicago Lockdown 15U)
This was our first look at the Plainfield East 2020 shooting guard. Shumate showed his athleticism off the minute we sat down. He hammered home a monster dunk right from the jump. Quick to the glass as he rebounded well for his size at 6’2”. Explosive in transition. Raw athlete that lacks much skill at this point. Needs to improve free throw shooting.