Class of 2018 Top Wings
What shooting guards and small forwards are head and shoulders above the rest of the class? We dive into the top 10 wings in the 2018 class right now!
SF Talen Horton-Tucker (Simeon)
Overall Rank: #2
Travel Team: Team Rose
Simeon 2018 small forward Talen Horton-Tucker is the top wing prospect in the state of Illinois. He is a big and versatile small forward that has the ability to beat a defense in a variety of ways. Extremely skilled with the ball in his hands with his handles and craftiness getting where he wants on the floor to make plays. Solid perimeter stroke and has underrated athleticism. Rebounds well for his position. Tough kid! High-major prospect.
SF Zion Griffin (Hinsdale South)
Overall Rank: #3
Travel Team: Hoopers Basketball Club
Griffin has elevated his stock to high-major territory after a monster July with Hoopers Basketball Club. The Hinsdale South small forward broke out of the mold that he is a post player and proved he is a full fledge wing slashing to the hoop, finishing with explosive jams in transition, and shot it well from three. A lot of upside here when just looking at the growth he made from the spring to July.
SG Tim Finke (Champaign Central)
Overall Rank: #4
Travel Team: Meanstreets
Finke is a skilled two guard with excellent size for the position. Solid athlete that most of the time is a plus shooter from deep. We say this as from all accounts he really struggled connecting on perimeter shots throughout July at Peach Jam and in Vegas. He moves well without the ball to get open. The value that we see Finke brings to a high-major program is his ability to contribute in a variety of areas doing the little things well.
SF Drew Peterson (Libertyville)
Overall Rank: #6
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
This wing brings a lot of projectability to the table. He has size at 6’7” which allows him to see over the defense. He is a long and wiry wing that is a quality athlete being able to handle the ball. His shot has a chance to be a plus weapon at the next level. He gets elevation off the floor and has pure mechanics. Can be streaky at times with it, but for the most part when we personally evaluated him at multiple events he shot it well. Mid-major prospect with upside.
SG Javon Freeman (Whitney Young)
Overall Rank: #8
Travel Team: Meanstreets
Freeman had a solid showing with Meanstreets in the Nike EYBL and is primed to be one of the top players in the Chicago Public League next year. Slippery through traffic attacking downhill. Gets and-1s at the rim. Smooth handles allow him to get where he wants on the floor. Plus scorer in transition. Jump shot needs to become more consistent as he is mainly just a driver at this stage. Flashes the ability to pass the ball with flair, but his scoring game is where he excels at this stage. Mid-major prospect.
SG Zion Young (Simeon)
Overall Rank: #14
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
The new Simeon wing that transferred in from Utah is a name we have known for a while with his play on the circuit. He is a strong wing with big time athleticism. That was shown off this July with Young & Reckless with thunderous jams. Pogo stick jumper that finishes with force. Quality perimeter shooter especially off the catch. Has potential on the defensive end. Young should be monitored by mid-major programs.
SF Raekwon Drake (Orr)
Overall Rank: #16
Travel Team: Team Rose
Drake has made great strides in his game over the last year. The Orr 2018 forward is an uber athlete just like he has been since the first time we ever evaluated him. What has impressed us the most is the progression in his perimeter game. Before he was looked at as more of an undersized power forward that relied on his freakish athleticism. His skill level has greatly improved in the last 12 months. His jump shot is very consistent from 15 feet and can stretch it out to three on occasion. Drake can now handle it with more ease attacking off the bounce from the perimeter. This is in addition to the elite motor that he plays with. Nobody in the state plays harder than Drake. He rebounds outstanding in traffic and is a tough defender. His second jump to the offensive glass is a major weapon. Mid-major prospect as a versatile combo forward.
SG Malachi Smith (Belleville West)
Overall Rank: #17
Travel Team: Jets-Ramey United
The Belleville West senior is a strong bodied wing that can play both physical and has skill on the perimeter. Smith has the ability to take over games with his attacking downhill style which was the more dominant aspect of his game on the circuit this spring and summer. He is powerful finishing through contact and getting to the rim. Smith was a bit streaky shooting the ball at times, but we firmly believe after evaluating him for three years that he will be an adequate perimeter shooter at the next level. Also has improved his passing skills over the summer.
SG Kezo Brown (Simeon)
Overall Rank: #18
Travel Team: Mac Irvin Fire
Brown is a left handed shooting guard that has had an up and down high school career. Came in as the heralded freshman and opened eyes during his first year of high school basketball. Then as a sophomore was a complete non-factor. Junior year he established himself as one of the premier players in the CPS helping lead Simeon to a city title and playing a major role in that game. We haven’t seen Brown in months as he didn’t play all spring or summer on the circuit. Brown is a slick handling lefty that can score in spurts both with his quickness off the bounce and jumper. Committed to Chicago State early.
SG Cardell McGee (Springfield Lanphier)
Overall Rank: #23
Travel Team: Wisconsin Playground Warriors
After a spring where McGee really struggled and was injured he came back with a good showing for Wisconsin Playground Warriors in July. The 6’3” guard played both on and off the ball. Handles it well, but is best off the ball. I came away impressed with how aggressive he was. Very assertive scoring off the bounce and was slippery getting to the rim. Would like to see this consistent effort out of McGee on a game in and game out basis. Low-major plus prospect with developmental upside.