Battle at the Lakes: 2020 Illinois Evals Pt 1
PrepHoopsIllinois covered the Battle at the Lakes over the weekend in Minnesota. It featured a great group of Illinois programs. Check out all our 2020 evaluations in one place! Here is part one of our look at the 2020s from Illinois at Battle!
SG Keshawn Williams (Young & Reckless)
Williams played on both the 16U and 17U teams Sunday. The Bloom 2020 two guard can get buckets. Microwave type scorer that when he heats up he gets rolling fast! Williams did the majority of his damage on drives off the bounce finishing with acrobatic layups and floaters. Also got out in transition. 8 points in the 17U game and 18 points in the 16U game against a high level D1 Minnesota Squad. Williams is a mid-major prospect.
PF Seryee Lewis (Young & Reckless)
Lewis is one of the most talented post prospects in the state of Illinois in the 2020 class. It is all about getting a consistent motor out of him. When he does that he is scary good. The Kenwood big man played at a high level Friday night allowing his athleticism and quickness to take over the game inside. He won 50/50 balls high pointing them in traffic and grabbing them out of the air. Offensively he utilized quick and aggressive moves including a go to right handed hook shot. Also had a posterizing dunk! Ran the floor well. About all you can say he struggled at was shooting free throws. He had 14 points. Lewis is emerging as a mid-major prospect this spring.
SG Johnny Close (Young & Reckless)
Close is a 6’2” wing from Rockford Boylan that can flat out shoot the rock! He did exactly that on Friday night for Young & Reckless. Close was lights out shooting from deep drilling an array of threes off the catch. When his feet are set it is straight money! He has a picture perfect release with elevation off the floor. Mixed in some transition finishes and a straight line drive. His passing and defense also showed well. If he can continue to diversify his game that will only help his recruitment as he is one of the best pure shooters in the state. Close projects as a D2 stud shooter!
PF Kendale Anderson (Young & Reckless)
Anderson like his older brother is a beast rebounder! The junk yard dog 6’6” four man absolutely owned the glass in the first half. He is a physically strong big man that boxes out rebounding both in and out of his area. Grabs grown man boards! He was noticeable on the defensive end as well getting in passing lanes and playing with a high motor. Anderson is a D2 player.
SG Josh Holmes (Young & Reckless)
Holmes is an interest player from Jones. This two guard has some projectability and is a wing that can get hot scoring in a hurry! Usually his three point shot is the strength of his game. He did hit a few in the couple of games we checked out, but it was more streaky than usual. What we did like to see was more dimensions of his game. He had a few quick and assertive straight line drives to the hoop where either finished or got fouled. Pushed the ball in the transition game. Showed nice potential defensively being able to defend multiple backcourt spots. One that low-majors and D2s should monitor this July for sure!
SF Bryce Hall (Young & Reckless)
Hall switched over to Young & Reckless after spending his previous tournaments this spring with Team Rose. Hall came off the bench and was aggressive taking his man off the dribble for several scores at the cup. Also had a couple steals. The Simeon 2020 product is a small college player at this stage.
SG Keyon Joiner (RAW)
Joiner is a two guard with some ability that just needs to be refined. Showed that he could play both on and off the ball. More of a natural two guard at this stage. He was best getting downhill and using his raw strength. Took a ton of forced jumpers that were misses. Small college player.
SG Ramean Hinton (Team Rose)
Hinton has been one of the most consistent players on the 16U level in Illinois this spring. The Curie wing is a strong, powerful, and super athletic two guard that attacks downhill. Big time slasher that has a tenacity that he goes to the rim with authority. Rebounds extremely well for his position. Connected on one triple finishing with 11 points. No brainer at the mid-major level.
SF Javonte Brackens (Team Rose)
Brackens is a 6’4” small forward that has a burst when he slashes to the hoop. Showed growth on his jump shot knocking down a pair of wing threes in the contest that we saw. D2 player right now with developmental potential to be a low-major kid.
C Yves Nkomba (KC Pacers)
Nkomba attends La Sallette Academy in the central part of the state. The 6’11” center showed up at half time of their game so we only got to see just a little game play out of him. He has all the physical tools you could ask for with size and superior length. He needs to improve his coordination and speed up his post moves. Purely an upside play at this point.