Class of 2019 Top Wings
Who are the best wings in the state of Illinois in the 2019 class? We look at the top 10 prospects at the shooting guard and small forward positions combined!
SF Terrence Hargrove (East St. Louis)
Overall Ranking: #3
Travel Team: Hoopville Warriors
The state’s #3 prospect was solid, but not spectacular when we saw him in July. The 6’5” wing is more of a power player that uses his strength and athleticism on the interior. He is at his best getting on the offensive glass for put backs and being a pogo stick around the rim. Can take his man off the bounce a couple dribbles for scores at the rack. Was inconsistent shooting the ball from the perimeter, but did make a few. That will be the next step in his development. Becoming more consistent with the jumper and handling on the perimeter. Elite athlete that has high-major ability.
SG Perry Cowan (DePaul Prep)
Overall Ranking: #4
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Cowan is a smooth two guard that has been one of the top prospects in this class since they entered high school. He is a rangy wing that has fluidity to his game. Like how he handles it on the perimeter and gets his shot off from mid-range. Working in that 15-18 foot range is the strength of his game at this stage. Would like to see more consistent dominance out of this talented guard as he has high-major ability if he maxes out!
SF Bryant Brown (Waukegan)
Overall Ranking: #5
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Brown is an upside small forward that can slide over and play the four when needed as well. He is extremely intriguing at 6’5” with his length, athleticism, and emerging skill. Solid defensive player with his length and toughness. Contests shots and has the defensive versatility to guard on both the perimeter and inside. Brown showed us he could shoot it a little too which we haven’t seen much out of the uber athlete. Potential high-major prospect.
SG Myles Baker (Whitney Young)
Overall Ranking: #10
Travel Team: Chicago Select
Baker is one of the top wing prospects in his class. He has size and a smooth scoring game. Baker can score effectively at all three levels. Athleticism and quickness off the bounce allow him to get to the rack and is a factor in transition. Potential to be a very good jump shooter. Plus right now from mid-range with the chance to extend range in the future. Baker is ran with Chicago Select 16U on the circuit and was on a state championship team for Whitney Young as a sophomore. This high school season will be a telling year for what level he will play at in college.
SF Martin Macenis (Stagg)
Overall Ranking: #11
Travel Team: ET21 Buckeyes
This wing has smooth handles with long strides. Likes to use euro step in the lane to finish. Very skilled wing that works well around screens as a passer, driver, and jump shooter. Ability to knock down threes off the catch with a bit of a long release. Lots of arc on shot. Defensively he is an underrated player. Moves well laterally and his length allows him to get deflections. Macenis has mid-major upside.
SG Anthony Fairlee (Springfield Southeast)
Overall Ranking: #12
Travel Team: Illinois Irish
Possibly the best pure athlete in the state this 6’2” shooting guard plays above the rim and finishes with thunderous jams. The best part of his game is by far his athleticism which is shown with his slashing, getting on the offensive glass, and being a tough on ball defender. The aspect that I liked the most late in the summer was the development in his jump shot. He shot it better than we have ever seen him drilling multiple threes and mid-range jumpers. If he can consistently do this watch out!
SF Ethan Helwig (Metea Valley)
Overall Ranking: #13
Travel Team: Illinois Stars
We came away very impressed with the 6’4” Metea Valley wing during July. He is a long and wiry wing that can score effectively at all three levels. Shot it lights out in multiple games. Quick and efficient stroke that he drilled at a high rate especially off the catch. Good athlete that likes to attack the hoop especially in transition where he finishes well around the cup. D1 prospect.
SG Dajuan Gordon (Curie)
Overall Ranking: #15
Travel Team: Team Rose
Gordon is a long and thin wing at 6’2”. Will need to add strength on, but has time and a nice frame on his side. Plus shooter with a smooth stroke from three off the catch. Confident player that when he gets hot is a force. This summer was our first extensive look at him, but he projects as a plus shooter that should make an immediate impact at Curie next season doing exactly that. Solid athlete that mixed in a few transition scores. Potential to be a nice all-around player at D1 recruit.
SF Jeremiah Hernandez (St. Viator)
Overall Ranking: #18
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
Hernandez is a 6’4” wing with a smooth game. The ultra-smooth wing is best in the open floor where he can use his size to see over the defense along with handles to get to the rim. Also gets multiple steals on the perimeter cutting passing lanes which lead to buckets on the other end of the floor. Hernandez is a D1 prospect.
SF Deng Reng (Wheaton North)
Overall Ranking: #19
Travel Team: ET21 Buckeyes
Reng is a 6’6” small forward from Wheaton North. He is a long and lanky forward that is very projectable. Productivity is hit and miss, but his potential is definitely there as a D1 prospect. He handles it well and gets in the lane. Solid form on his shot. Will be interesting to follow the development of Reng over the next year.