CEC: 2018 Evaluations Pt 1
This past weekend PrepHoopsIllinois was in the house for coverage of the Chicago Elite Classic. We have given you our 5 Best Game stories, Standouts from each day, and now it is time for the massive scouting report of 65+ players. We begin with the prospects in 2018 with part one of our look at the seniors from Illinois at the event.
G Jordan Matthews (St. Rita – 2018)
Matthews is a 6’0” combo guard that continues to make strides as a point guard. He showed that on Friday night against Bloomington running the show with the ball in his hands. Matthews made some nice finds on the interior after getting dribble penetration. Crisp passes that are usually on the money for his teammates to do damage when they get the ball. Throughout the entire game he got in the lane over and over. He is a guard that takes great angles and has quick change of direction in the lane. Scored well at the cup with some acrobatic finishes. Surprisingly for as many times as he took it to the cup he didn’t attempt a single free throw. He was efficient on his shots at the rim hitting 8-9 from inside the arc. Jump shot needs some more consistency. Played good defense on Patrick Fisher from Bloomington holding him to only 3-13 shooting from the field. Matthews had 16 points and 6 dimes. Projects as a really high level D3/NAIA player that could slip into D2 consideration with a strong senior campaign.
F Landen Gladney (St. Rita – 2018)
Gladney was a prospect that was not on our radar coming into the Chicago Elite Classic. The 6’5” combo forward has a strong body and solid length. Got on the glass early and often on both ends of the floor. Fought extremely hard on the boards and despite Payton getting his he definitely made him work for it. Offensively he is physical in the paint grabbing offensive rebounds for put backs and can take it off the bounce on occasion. He had 11 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 assists. One to track going forward for sure!
PG Chris Pugh (Bloomington – 2018)
Pugh is a lead guard that caught our eye late in July when he was playing with Team Illinois. The 6’3” point guard has good size and speed with the ball in his hands. Excels most in the transition game where he can play off his quickness and ability to get to the rim. Pugh showed off his explosion with one poster dunk. Finishes well around the rim and got to the charity stripe. Didn’t shoot it well from the perimeter as did the whole team. Forced quite a few turnovers on the defensive end with his active hands getting deflections and getting in passing lanes. He had 17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals. Projects as a really good D3/NAIA guard that will excel at that level. A couple years of JUCO could really elevate his stock if he chose to go that route.
PG Patrick Fisher (Bloomington – 2018)
It was a tough night for the Bloomington point guard who helped boost his stock this past summer. Fisher is a 6’2” lead guard that handles it well. Really struggled shooting the basketball. Couldn’t get it going at all from either three or hitting shots in the paint. Jump shot is usually solid, but he didn’t make a single one from deep. Tough night for the D3/NAIA prospect finishing with 8 points (3-13 FG).
SG Ryan Cicenas (Riverside Brookfield – 2018)
Cicenas came up big a few years back at the CEC and he got hot again from three in the second half of their game this year. The 6’4” two guard is a plus perimeter shooter that moves well without the ball. He is most comfortable coming off movement to get open and let the shot fly from the perimeter. Cicenas was somewhat streaky only going 3-10 from deep, but hit some big ones in the second half. Mostly just a shooting specialist for the next level. Went for 15 points (5-14 FG). D3/NAIA prospect.
G Nick McColgan (Lyons Township – 2018)
McColgan came off the bench for Lyons and provided a spark. The 5’11” point guard displayed a clean looking shooting stroke. Hit a three off the catch and also another mid-range jumper. Mixed in a transition finish. Projects as a small college role player. Scored 7 points.
PG Isaiah Fuller (OPRF – 2018)
Fuller is an undervalued point guard on the recruiting trail. The 6’2” lead guard took his game up a notch in July with Mercury Elite and has carried that confidence over into the start of his senior season. He opened up with a pair of threes off the catch, but didn’t connect on his next four attempts. His biggest asset is getting to the rim and even more so to the line. He was 9-10 from the stripe. Fuller passed the ball well throughout getting others involved with crisp dishes. Also thought he was solid defensively holding one of the state’s premier scorers to only 13 points. Fuller finished with 19 points and 6 assists. He is one of the better point guards still available and should be on the D2 radar!
SG AJ Nixon (Fenwick – 2018)
Nixon is one of the senior leaders for Fenwick. The 6’2” shooting guard has a slow release on his jump shot, but overall is solid shooting it from the land of three. That was his primary role offensively against OPRF. Spotting up and letting it fly. Only hit 2-4 attempts. Finished with 8 points. Small college prospect.
PF Mike O’Laughlin (Fenwick – 2018)
This West Virginia commit for football has a strong upper body. He does a nice job on the glass playing physical in the paint. Really struggled finishing around other defenders. He had 9 points and 6 rebounds.
SG Sam Daniels (Fenwick – 2018)
Daniels is a small college shooting guard that lets it fly from deep. He plays within the system and doesn’t force things. Daniels is a team first guy that will mix in his offense with shots off the catch. He went for 5 points.
PF Phil Saleh (OPRF – 2018)
One of the super sleeper prospects that emerged at the Chicago Elite Classic was Saleh. He will be headed to Fordham to play on the offensive line as that is definitely where he fits best long term, but he made a major impact in OPRF’s rivalry win over Fenwick. The 6’4” power forward played physical in the paint and made shots when they presented themselves. Space eater on the interior that was efficient with his touches connecting on 4-5 shots for 8 points.
PG Ayo Dosunmu (Morgan Park – 2018)
The favorite for Mr. Basketball showed why he is the leader for that award coming into the year. The explosive Morgan Park point guard is just so fast with the ball and impossible to cover when he is attacking downhill. He pushed the tempo from the jump and set the tone early by getting to the rim. So slippery through traffic getting to the rack. Speed plays very well in the transition game. Stuck to what he does best attacking and didn’t shoot many jumpers other than hitting one from 15 feet. Made a few nice passes including an alley-oop off an out of bounds play. Dosunmu finished with 24 points (10-24 FG), 6 rebounds, and 4 dimes. He is committed to Illinois.
F Cam Burrell (Morgan Park – 2018)
This was the best game we have ever seen Burrell play. The energy 6’6” combo forward was all over the glass against Champaign Central! He flew around all night on the offensive glass getting 10 rebounds on that end alone. This is what he brings to the table as a prospect at the next level. Energy forward that crashes the glass and gets offensive rebound put backs. Most of his points came in this fashion. Also had a huge dunk off an out of bounds play and hit a mid-range jumper. Not really skilled, but makes an impact with his energy level. Burrell went for 20 points (9-15 FG) and 16 rebounds! Could boost his stock to the D2 level if he continues this strong play.
SF Kenyon Duling (Morgan Park – 2018)
Duling is a Tennessee State commit that brings toughness to the table and should be a good role player for them for four years. Physical power player that attacks with strength and can hit an occasional jumper. Defense is his game. Was solid against Tim Finke causing him to take tough shots. Not his best game, but still managed 7 points (3-10 FG) and 5 boards.