CEC: 2019 Evaluations
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 break down the prospects in 2019 from Illinois at the event.
PF Chris Payton (Bloomington – 2019)
The Illinois State commit put on show for the Chicago fans that have not seen him before. The 6’6” power forward has good strength in his upper body with big time athleticism. He finished multiple dunks including an alley-oop to open followed later by a 360 slam in transition. He was aggressive taking at the defense with quick and assertive moves. Payton was rewarded for that with 14 free throw attempts. Struggled only hitting half of them there. Plays powerful inside and you have to make sure you have a body on him at all times because he is a big time rebounder. The skill level is still a work in progress, but Illinois State is getting a good one. The top 10 2019 prospect had 19 points and 13 rebounds.
F Jeremiah Oden (St. Rita – 2019)
Oden is a 6’7” combo forward that has a lot of projectability. Long arms and quality athleticism. He looks the part. We haven’t seen him produce at a particularly high rate over the last year. He had a solid game at the CEC. The bouncy forward scored in transition and got on the offensive glass for a put back. High pointed rebounds on the defensive end. He had 7 points (3-5 FG) and 5 rebounds. Would like to see him be consistently more assertive and make a bigger impact on the game because he has D1 talent. Leaves you wanting more!
SF Myles Montaque (St. Rita – 2019)
This 6’4” small forward jumped on our radar at Chicago Elite Classic. Good sized wing that hit a three from the wing and also connected on a baseline jumper. Crisp passer. He had only 5 points, but flashed. Most likely a small college prospect.
G Tyrese Shines (Lyons Township – 2019)
Shines stands at 6’3” with long arms and a strong upper body. He has definitely added strength since we saw him last season. Another area that he has shown some growth is in his perimeter shot. Knocked down a couple pulling up off the bounce. Mechanics looked good. Sometimes he can lean forward on his release. Most of his scores came in the paint and by using his quick second jump in the paint. Solid rebounding combo guard. He had 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 dimes. Right now projects as a high D3/NAIA with the ability to work his way into D2 consideration.
PG Nolan Niego (Lyons Township – 2019)
Niego is a tough as nails 6’2” point guard that brings a lot of leadership to the table. Niego is a sound perimeter jump shooter that can hit them both pulling up and off the catch. Mixes in runners/floaters in the lane. Fan of what he brings to the table as a floor general and getting others involved with crisp passes on the money. Rebounds well for a guard as he is willing to stick his nose in with the big boys. Niego had 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. D2 prospect at this stage.
G Zachary Vaia (Riverside Brookfield – 2019)
Vaia jumped on our radar for Riverside Brookfield. The 5’11” point guard is a sound shooter that gets elevation off the floor with a clean looking stroke. Knocked down several inside the arc. Did a nice job passing the rock getting others involved especially in the half court. Vaia is a small college target who had 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 dimes.
SG Reggie Loury (Riverside Brookfield – 2019)
Loury provided a burst of scoring off the bench for Riverside Brookfield. The 6’3” shooting guard presents quality size at the two guard spot. Angular guard that has a knack for finding lanes in the paint. Scored off a curl going to the hoop. Also got to the foul line. He had 11 points (4-4 FG). Small college player.
SG Damari Nixon (Fenwick – 2019)
Nixon is a 6’1” lefty shooting guard that is primed for a big season at Fenwick! He is so slick with his ball and slippery in traffic getting to the hoop. Finishes with floaters and acrobatic layups showing off his body control. Shifty handles and got where he wanted most of the night. Made regular trips to the foul line. Mostly a slashing scoring guard at this stage. He had 18 points (5-8 FG). Nixon is going to be a player we track closely this year!
SF Solomon Oraegbu (Fenwick – 2019)
Oraegbu is a 6’3” small forward that did a nice job getting on the glass. Good strength and went aggressively after rebounds. Tough kid that had a couple offensive rebounds for put backs. Little loose with the ball handling it. He had 4 points and 5 rebounds. Small college kid.
PG Dashon Enoch (OPRF – 2019)
Enoch is a 6’0” point guard that is built like a running back. He was super hyped up for this game and was definitely the emotional leader for OPRF in their rivalry game victory. He is best going downhill with power and attacking through contact. He had a nice and-1 that he converted with a left handed finish. Struggled a bit at the foul line. He went for 8 points (3-6 FG). Low-major and D2 schools should be monitoring him.
PF Charlie Hoehne (OPRF – 2019)
Hoehne is an undervalued recruit in the junior class. The 6’6” face up four man impressed over the summer with Made Men and should have a bigger role this year for the Huskies. He is a quality athlete that showed that pop on an explosive pin block. Offensively he works well around screens. Pick and pop shooter and can also roll to the basket off a screen to score. Kind of a quiet night for him, but we are big fans of him at the D2 level. Hoehne had 5 points (2-3 FG).
SG Chase Robinson (OPRF – 2019)
Robinson is another OPRF junior that is ready to breakout this season. The 6’2” 2019 shooting guard definitely left his imprint on the game with his athleticism and toughness. Powerful attacking guard that gets to the rim and can finish with both hands. Can hit an occasion mid-range jumper, but his game is scoring in the paint. Active defender and good rebounder. Opened our eyes with a few impressive passes playing off the ball. Robinson had 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.
PG Artese Stapleton (Kenwood – 2019)
Stapleton is one of the top 2019 point guards in the state. He played well in their opener a few days before the CEC, but didn’t do as well against Gray Collegiate. He was wild with the ball causing several turnovers. Best using his speed off the bounce getting to the rack. Had a layup late and another straight line drive. Was a presence on the defensive end getting steals. Went for 4 points (2-7 FG), 3 assists, 4 steals, and 7 turnovers. Stapleton is a low-major prospect.
C Karl Jones (Morgan Park – 2019)
Morgan Park was without their star post Tamell Pearson because of an eye issue so Jones started for the Mustangs. He stands at 6’8” with long arms. Rangy center that flashed potential as a rebounder. Bit weak around the hoop and needs to add strength to finish better. Still learning the game and is raw, but presents some upside at the center position and will be a player we track closely. He had 5 points (2-3 FG) and 5 boards in 14 minutes of action.
SF Keenan Jones (Whitney Young – 2019)
Jones is one of the more underrated prospects on the recruiting trail right now. Lengthy wing that plays with energy and has skill to back it up. Makes a major impact on the defensive end getting steals and can be an explosive shot blocker at times. Offensively he handles the ball well slicing and dicing taking good angles getting to the hoop. Capable three point shooter off the catch. He had 12 points (5-8 FG), 4 rebounds, and 4 steals.
PG Kejuan Clements (Simeon – 2019)
Clements is one of the top 2019 point guards in the state of Illinois. Strong guard that can also slide over and play some two when he has too. More of a scoring point guard that excels attacking off the bounce and getting out in transition. Finishes well in the lane with acrobatic layups and body control. Streaky jump shooter from three and didn’t shoot great from the foul line either. The top 10 2019 prospect had 10 points (4-10 FG). Mid-major to low-major prospect.