Holiday Evals: 2018 Pt 2
PrepHoopsIllinois covered five different holiday tournaments across the state last week. This allowed us to evaluate tons of prospects at a variety of ages and college levels. Now it is time for the massive 160+ player scouting report on all the prospects. Here is Part 2: 2018 Prospects!
SG Javon Freeman (Whitney Young – 2018)
Freeman dunked the ball the first three times he had it against Longwood. Yes, not the greatest competition, but the Valpo commit did what he was supposed to do which was dominate early. Freeman is a rangy wing who plays well in the open floor and is smooth with the ball attacking off the bounce. He had 12 points in only 12 minutes of action. Top 10 prospect in senior class.
PG Xavier Castaneda (Whitney Young – 2018)
Castaneda did what he needed to do early in their blowout win against Longwood. He showed vision in the half court getting all his weapons involved in the game. Got to the rim early for an and-1 as well as drilling a three off the catch. His passing and controlling tempo was most impressive. South Florida commit.
PG Willante Williams (Proviso West – 2018)
Williams is a scoring point guard that caught fire from three in the game we saw against Fenwick. The 6’2” lefty drilled a handful of triples especially off the catch. Quick release on his shot. Was 5-11 from deep for 16 points. All shots taken were threes. Small college or JUCO prospect.
SG Vinny Belcaster (Morton – 2018)
Belcaster had a tough night. The Morton senior is mostly known as a sharp shooter from deep, but he only got two looks from there and missed both. Struggled getting shot off. Played on the ball more than we are used to seeing. Later in the game he got loose in transition and had a strong take for an and-1. He had 8 points. D3/NAIA prospect.
SG Sean Jones (Homewood Flossmoor – 2018)
Jones broke out with his play at the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic. The 6’2” guard is a scoring combo that got to the rim and converted around the hoop. Smooth with the ball in his hands attacking off the bounce. He had a great play where he stole the ball, went behind his back, and dunked it on the other end. Got to the charity stripe at a high rate where he converted 7-8. Jones had 22 points. He says he isn’t hearing from any schools at this stage. Should be on the small college radar.
SG Corinthian Fields (Westinghouse – 2018)
Fields is an undersized 6’0” shooting guard that can really shoot the basketball from the perimeter. Drilled an array of mid-range jumpers and also connected from three with a feathery looking shot. Clean form and consistent mechanics on his jumper. Also got on the offensive glass for a pair of put backs. He finished with 20 points. Small college senior.
SG Elijah Crump (Westinghouse – 2018)
Crump can score the basketball at 6’2”. The two guard is a sound perimeter shooter with a good looking shot. Long and lanky build. Mixes in slashes and getting put backs. He had 14 points. Small college player.
SG Jackson Qualley (Stevenson – 2018)
Qualley was the player that got Stevenson back in the game against DePaul Prep. The 6’2” shooting guard is mostly known as a perimeter shooter. Hit one from deep, but overall struggled in that area. He got them back in the game driving and attacking the basket downhill. Qualley hit runners and got to the charity stripe. Went for 15 points and 8 rebounds. Small college player.
PF Tommy Gardiner (Maine South – 2018)
This 6’7” senior post made a big impact on the game especially early. Came away impressed with his size, strength, and mobility. He is quick around the basket and is a quality athlete showing that off on an alley-oop. Flashes to the basketball for scores and makes quick decisions. Flies around for rebounds. Gardiner had 12 points and 5 rebounds. Small college post prospect.
F Terrence Shannon (Lincoln Park – 2018)
Shannon came off the bench and was absolutely spectacular in the first quarter. Impressive looking prospect standing at 6’6” with long arms. He is a lefty that displayed deep range on his three point shot. Drilled 3-6 from beyond the arc. Elevation off the floor with a clean looking shot mechanically. Handles the ball well and can score off the bounce. Defensively he snatched rebounds, was mobile defending on the perimeter, and also swatted shots. He had 23 points (9-15 FG) and 6 rebounds. If he qualifies would be a potential low-major player, but might have to go the JUCO route. We will definitely keep tabs on him!
F Justin Hardy (St. Charles East – 2018)
Hardy is one of the better unsigned prospects on the board. The 6’5” senior combo forward is so tough and competitive. His jump shot has gotten very consistent over the last couple years. He hit 3-3 on his attempts from deep and we saw him drill multiple mid-range jumpers as well. Not the most explosive athlete, but he gets by with his craftiness, skill, and smarts. Hardy had 25 points (10-15 FG) and 5 assists. High academic D2 programs should be all over him!
SG Joshua Evans (Crete Monee – 2018)
Evans is a 6’4” shooting guard that is a volume scorer. Against HF he hit some mid-range jumpers and even stretched it out three a couple times. Overall through he missed a lot of shots scoring 12 points on 5-18 shooting. Small college prospect.
SG Malik Hardmon (Crete Monee – 2018)
Hardmon was more efficient scoring than his teammate. He brings good athleticism to the table and takes it straight at the defense. Scores off the bounce and can get on the offensive glass for put backs. With how aggressive he is the senior regularly draws fouls. Hardmon had 17 points (3-6 FG) (11-12 FG). Would be a nice D3/NAIA/JUCO player.
SG Evan Barnes (Glenbrook North – 2018)
Barnes we are told will play baseball at the collegiate level, but he can really shoot the rock on the hardwood. The 6’2” shooting guard drilled a handful of big three point shots in their game against Urban Prep-Englewood. Finished with 15 points.
SG Tim Jones (Marian Catholic – 2018)
Jones stands at 6’2” and proved to be a nice spot up shooter from the perimeter. He came off the bench to hit 3-4 from beyond the arc. Jones had 13 points. D3/NAIA player.
PF Alec Dinwiddie (Marian Catholic – 2018)
This 6’5” power forward is a projectable forward that is quietly productive each time we watch him play. The long and lanky forward is quick on the offensive glass. Plays with a high motor on both ends of the floor. He had 7 points and 8 rebounds. Great option for a D3/NAIA/JUCO as a role player that could develop into more in college.
PG Raheem Anthony (DePaul Prep – 2018)
The senior power lefty guard likes to attack downhill and get to the rack. He has excellent body control around the rim making tough shots. Not a very good jump shooter. Solid passer especially in the half court. He had 8 points and 4 dimes. Small college player.
SG Jordan Matthews (St. Rita – 2018)
Matthews is a tough combo guard that is the clear senior leader for St. Rita. He is a kid that finishes well through contact at the rim with his strength. Hit a three from the corner. Overall an efficient game for Matthews getting in the lane for scores or free throws. He had 16 points (6-8 FG). High level D3/NAIA player.
PG Kaleb Thornton (Bolingbrook – 2018)
Thornton struggled quite a bit with turnovers in their game against Rockford Auburn. The speedy senior lead guard pushes the tempo and has explosive handles in the open floor. He had a few nice passes that led to buckets, but also had 7 turnovers and didn’t shoot the ball particularly well from the field. Thornton finished with 9 points (4-11 FG), 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 7 turnovers. Low-major upside and should be looked at by D2 programs.
PF Joey Saracco (Bolingbrook – 2018)
This Bolingbrook senior has become a very good complimentary piece inside for Bolingbrook. He runs the floor well and has a soft touch around the hoop. Good area rebounder and is efficient with his touches. Low maintenance post that just does his job. He had 10 points (5-6 FG) and 5 boards. JUCO prospect or D3/NAIA.
PG Branden Ellis (Warren – 2018)
Ellis started the day off strong for Warren. He is one of the better unsigned combo guards available in the state. The senior brings big time athleticism and quickness to the table. Versatile guard that can handle the basketball and has the ability to get hot shooting. He is especially effective pulling up from mid-range. Finds soft spots in the defense and rises up to shoot. Acrobatic finishing around the hoop. Solid defender that projects as a guy who can guard the one and two at next level. D2 prospect. He had 21 points and 5 rebounds.
SG Ian Schilling (Warren – 2018)
Schilling is a 6’2” shooting guard that is primarily a spot up shooter. He is a volume shooter from beyond the arc that is a catch and shoot threat. He had 12 points on 4-11 from the field. Schilling is worth a look for a small college in need of a spot up shooter.
PG Patrick Fisher (Bloomington – 2018)
Fisher is a point guard that emerged on the scene with the Illinois Wolves this past summer. He is a good sized lead guard that is an active on ball defender. He is also capable of hitting a pull up three. Solid passer. Struggled a bit shooting it finishing with 7 points (2-9 FG) and 3 dimes. Small college player.
SF Tyler Washington (Bloomington – 2018)
This 6’4” small forward keeps growing on me every time I see him play. Tremendous glue guy that plays with a high motor. Long arms allow him to get on the glass and he finishes well inside. He is efficient with his touches going 4-4 from the field for 9 points. Great role player at the D3/NAIA levels.
PG Isaiah Fuller (OPRF – 2018)
Fuller is a prospect that we have been fans of for a while now. The combo guard plays with such a high motor and is great getting downhill to the cup. Makes a lot of plays in transition. Pushes the ball where he can finish himself or find teammates for dimes. Tough defender as well getting steals and turning them into touchdowns at the other end. He had 24 points in the win over Bloomington. Really good D2 prospect.