2020 Top Illinois Posts
There are a large group of quality post prospects in the 2020 class across Illinois. There isn’t a no doubt high-major prospect at this stage, but a ton of quality mid-major and low-major targets. We dive into that group here!
PF Kee Hargrow (Joliet Central)
Current Ranking: #10
Travel Team: Meansteets
This Joliet Central 6’6” power forward broke out in our eyes this spring playing with Meanstreets. He only played on the sophomore team this past year so not a lot of people know about him, but they will soon. Very mobile post player with quickness around the hoop. Quick off the ground and is super bouncy finishing in the paint. Works well in the pick and roll. Solid rebounder with projectability long term.
C Nate Seputis (Lincoln Way East)
Current Ranking: #11
Travel Team: Team RWA
The 6’9” Lincoln Way East center has the ability to contribute in a number of areas. First and foremost he brings a lunch pail attitude and plays hard every possession. Runs the floor both looking for a pass as well as getting back on D. High level rebounder on both ends of the floor. He high points the ball grabbing it at the peak. Physical down low with a strong frame and legit size. Offensively he flashes post moves on the block and getting some garbage points. Can finish with powerful dunks. Legit range on his shot out to beyond the three point arc as he looks comfortable shooting from there with ease. Seputis is a mid-major prospect that could explode this season!
C Martice Mitchell (Bloom)
Current Ranking: #14
Travel Team: All-In Athletics
Mitchell has a lot of potential, but has never quite put it all together. He started to show that this fall. The 6’9” Bloom product has great height and length for the center position. Will need to add strength going forward. It was nice to see him compete and show more toughness around the hoop. Hit the glass at a nice clip and ran the floor extremely well. Got on the glass for a put backs. Offensively he is still unrefined and timing needs to get better, but he definitely has D1 upside.
C Devon House (Sterling Newman)
Current Ranking: #15
Travel Team: Quad City Elite
House is a perfect last name for this 6’6” center. He is a wide bodied post that retains mobility. The big man has a feel for scoring with his back to the basket. Good footwork and a soft touch around the rim. Outstanding area rebounder that gobbles up rebounds within his area. At times can step out and hit a jumper on occasion.
C Yves Nkomba (LaSallette Academy)
Current Ranking: #16
Travel Team: Illinois Irish
Nkomba out of central Illinois is one of the better kept secrets in the 2020 class. Not a lot of people know about this big man yet, but he has been on our radar since the spring after we first saw him with the KC Pacers. Great size and physical tools. Still raw and learning the game, but he plays hard. Rebounds well and has a lot of mobility for his size. Most of his offensive production is getting on the glass for put backs. Like the developmental upside here a lot! Definitely one that D1 programs in the Midwest need to track. Saw progress from the spring to summer. Will play with the Illinois Irish next spring.
PF Jordan Kwiecinski (Loyola)
Current Ranking: #18
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Kwiecinski is a player in the 2020 class that brings a lot of versatility on both ends to the table. When we evaluated him with the Illinois Wolves 15U in July we were extremely impressed with what he did on the defensive end. Used his length to block shots, rebound, and got steals anticipating passing lanes. Was able to defend both forward spots. Offensively he runs the floor great and finished well inside. Skilled passer too. Combo forward already has a DePaul offer.
PF Bennett Kwiecinski (Loyola)
Current Ranking: #19
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
This Loyola 6’6” forward is long and thin. The 2020 combo forward has some tools to work with. Very mobile for his size and rebounds well snatching them at their highest point. Makes strong outlet passes. Flashes ability to score on the block with quick moves. Also can handle it some on the perimeter and even flashes wing skill. He lacks functional strength and will need to add a lot of bulk over the next few years, but has plenty of time for that.
PF Seryee Lewis (Kenwood)
Current Ranking: #20
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
Lewis is a run/jump athlete that is extremely fluid running the floor. Super bouncy four man that can finish above the rim with explosive dunks. Makes quick moves on the interior for scores. Isn’t an overly skilled back to the basket scorer at this stage, but shows potential in that area. He is best scoring on the block right now sealing off his man in the high/low. Excellent mid-range jump shooter that is consistently accurate from 15-18 feet. Shoots it quick and with confidence. Solid rebounder, but could show more toughness against physical post players fighting for balls. Defensively has potential as a shot blocker. Lot of upside here. How consistently his motor runs will have a lot to do with how good Lewis becomes. Has D1 ability for sure.
PF Dominic Franklin (Bogan)
Current Ranking: #22
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
Franklin came on our radar at one of our PrepHoops camps back in the spring after he just moved here from Atlanta. The 6’6” 2020 power forward has a ton of potential! He has a lot of physical tools to work with as he is super long and moves very well for his size. Almost runs the floor like a guard. So fluid and easy going up and down the floor. Excels in transition getting passes by running the court for finishes. Active big man that gets on the glass and snatches them with strong hands. His post moves are a little raw at this stage, but has the ability to grow in that area. Like his mid-range game a lot. Hit multiple 15 foot jumpers and looked comfortable putting it on the deck a couple dribbles this summer.
PF Colin Crothers (Benet)
Current Ranking: #23
Travel Team: All-In Athletics
Crothers had a nice showing at the Pangos camp this fall. He showed some tools to work heading into his sophomore campaign. Plays physical on the block and got deep post position. Displays an overall good skill level including hitting threes on occasion and uses a nice looking right handed hook shot on the block. Country strong big man has good mobility, but lacks athleticism which can hurt him at times against length or bigger posts. Solid are rebounder. High floor and low ceiling post.
PF Patrick Readye (Belleville Althoff)
Current Ranking: #24
Travel Team: Brad Beal Elite
The rising sophomore has legit size and a strong frame. He is your classic back to the basket post that can score with hook shots and spin moves. Flashes a mid-range shot on occasion. Once to leans out a little there is no doubt that this could be a potential D1 prospect.
C Brandon Lieb (Deerfield)
Current Ranking: #26
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
This post has legit size and length to play the five at the college level. Lieb runs the floor extremely well for his size showing great mobility. He finishes strong around the hoop. Like his ability to score with his back to the basket. Defensively flashes shot blocking potential.
C Chris Conway (Naperville Central)
Current Ranking: #27
Travel Team: ET21 Buckeyes
Conway has a long and lanky build with a projectable frame at 6’7”. Excellent rebounder that high points the ball at its highest point and outlets it to his guards. Consistently gets on the glass. Has a chance to be an excellent shot blocking and post defender down the road. Prospect with projectable upside that D1 schools need to be monitoring heading into the season.
C Connor Linke (St. Charles North)
Current Ranking: #32
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Linke stands at 6’8” with a 6’10” wingspan. The 2020 center from St. Charles North has great size and moves very well. Linke has impressed us with his competitiveness in the paint especially on the defensive end. Shot blocking presence that has a chance to be a plus rim protector. Rebounds very well in his area. Gets on the offensive glass at a nice clip for put backs. Flashes potential scoring on the block.