EYBL: Illinois Evaluations
PrepHoopsIllinois attended the Nike EYBL over the weekend in Indianapolis. Here we give our evaluations of the Illinois prospects in attendance!
C Francis Okoro (Brad Beal Elite)
The state’s top 2019 center had a solid game for BBE in their opener. He is such a physically impressive prospect with his strong upper body and plus athleticism. Okoro even handled it on one play going coast to coast dishing it off to Liddell for a dunk. The Normal West post had a couple big dunks of his own including one after he snatched a grown man rebound and hammered it home. Most of his scores were on dunks and offensive rebounds, but did show skill on one nice hook shot. Okoro had 14 points (5-8 FG) and 6 rebounds. Projects as a high-major prospect.
PF EJ Liddell (Brad Beal Elite)
It was a workman like effort for Liddell on Friday night. He missed a couple short shots, but got to the line at a really high rate! The Belleville West standout is super athletic and quick to the glass. He plays with a high motor. That combination makes him a prospect that has a high volume of trips to the charity stripe. Liddell had one poster jam over a defender. Worked well in the middle of BBE’s zone offense as a passer finding teammates. Plus rebounder that is a quick leaper off the floor. He had 14 points (3-6 FG) (8-13 FT) and 6 rebounds. High-major prospect.
SF Terrence Hargrove (Brad Beal Elite)
It wasn’t a dominant game for the East St. Louis product and current #3 2019 in Illinois, but I liked some of the things we saw out of him against Team Takeover. In nine minutes of play he scored 8 points on 4-5 from the field. Hargrove brought the high energy level that we loved about him early in his career. He played above the rim finishing a couple big slams and also blocked a shot. The skill is still a work in progress, but it was nice to see him get back to what he does best! Mid-major plus prospect that in the right situation can play at a high-major.
PG Marquise Walker (Meanstreets)
Walker is a 2019 point guard that recently transferred to West Aurora. The guard is also with a new team as he started off the spring on the other side of this rivalry. Walker made some key plays in this contest. He drilled a couple threes in their comeback along with an and-1 that put the pressure on in the second half. He had some turnovers, but also made several outstanding dishes. Could find a home at a low-major school.
PG Joseph Yesufu (Meanstreets)
Yesufu is a 2019 point guard from Bolingbrook High School. The quick and shifty guard has good strength in his upper body. He pushes the ball in the open floor with great speed. Burst with the ball getting to the cup where he converted an array of layups. Missed only three he took. Potential as a defender. Low-major plus/mid-major minus player.
SF Keeshawn Chambers (Meanstreets)
This 6’5” small forward from Thornton presents a lot of physical potential with his size, strength, and athleticism. Showed that off with a transition dunk and three blocked shots. Still pretty raw offensively and will need to round out his game as a senior. D2 upside as a wing.
SF Kahlil Whitney (Mac Irvin Fire)
Whitney put on a show all day Saturday! He was the best player on the floor in their night cap against Meanstreets and in the morning against Indy Heat. The Roselle Catholic (NJ) and Chicago native stands at 6’7” and played like a McDonald’s All-American combining the elite physical tools and athleticism that he has always had with his newfound skill set. Whitney has become a dynamic shooter from the perimeter knocking down threes both pulling up and off the catch. He nailed one dribble pull ups and got to the rim where he finished with strength. Big time player in transition. Whitney is an elite high-major player.
PG Markese Jacobs (Mac Irvin Fire)
Jacobs was outstanding for the Fire against Indy Heat. The 2019 Uplift point guard continues to see his stock rise after a previous dip in his play last summer and early in the high school season. This is the player that Kansas thought they were getting when he committed as a sophomore! He is a tough and physical combo guard that can flat out score the rock. His jump shot has become more of a threat on a game in and game out basis especially pulling up. He is explosive getting to the hoop with a burst not very many in the state have. His passing has also made major strides. Great weekend for Jacobs!
SF Terrence Shannon (Mac Irvin Fire)
Shannon was another player that stepped up against Indy Heat scoring 17 points. Only managed 6 against Meanstreets. In the game versus their boarder rival he showed off his sweet lefty stroke drilling a few threes along with using his athleticism and long strides in transition. Likes to attack on the baseline as well. Couple monster open floor dunks against Meanstreets. Shannon is a mid-major plus/high-major minus prospect. He is becoming a hot commodity on the recruiting trail.
SF Anthony Fairlee (Mac Irvin Fire)
Fairlee is a premier athlete that helped lead his team to a state championship game appearance in 3A for Springfield Southeast. He struggled in the two EYBL games that we saw him play. Jump shot is just not a weapon at this point and his athleticism doesn’t shine through as much against elite competition. Where he can be most effective is with his defense and rebounding. Fairlee is probably a low-major plus prospect at this stage with mid-major upside.
PG Terrion Murdix (Mac Irvin Fire)
Murdix is the teammate of Fairlee at Springfield Southeast. This 6’0” rangy point guard is a long and rangy guard that has some projectability to his game. He is struggling some with the speed and elite level talent of the EYBL at this point. Murdix didn’t score much, but showed off a couple nice passes. Low-major prospect.
PG Chase Adams (Mac Irvin Fire)
Adams did some nice things for the Fire in the two games we saw him. The 5’7” lead guard is a playmaker with the ball and knows where to get his teammates the rock to be successful. Adams will have some turnovers on occasion as sometimes he tries to fit it in too tight of a window. He is a plus shooter from mid-range with his pull up being his most effective weapon. He will go prep next year at Link Year Prep. Should be a priority D2 recruit with low-majors schools giving him a realistic chance.
PF Rashaun Agee (Mac Irvin Fire)
I came away extremely impressed with the play of this Bogan 6’8” power forward throughout the weekend. He knows his role on this team! Board and finish! That is exactly what he did. In some respects it was reminiscent of the way Tamell Pearson played a year ago in Indy for the Fire in the same event. Agee is a great area rebounder that snatches them strong with two hands. Got a lot of offensive rebound put backs and scored on dump off passes inside. Flashed some skill hitting a couple floaters. Runs the floor hard and plays with a lot of energy. Low-major no brainer at this point.
PG Marcus Watson (Mac Irvin Fire 16U)
Watson is a smooth point guard from Morgan Park that plays bigger than his height with his length. The angular guard hit a three early off the catch, but his game is making plays in the lane scoring with runners/floaters or kicking to teammates for clean looks. He is great at using hesitation to keep the defense off balance. Watson is also a plus defender with his anticipation. He had 16 points.
SG Dante Maddox (Mac Irvin Fire 16U)
Maddox is a big time scorer from Bloom and he showed that on the big stage when the 16U played at the main venue. The two guard can really stroke it from three and that is exactly what he did letting it fly from real deep making four triples on his way to 16 points. When his feet are set put it in the book! He has more that he can offer college coaches as a two guard, but his shooting was off the charts in this game.
C Martice Mitchell (Mac Irvin Fire 16U)
Mitchell is a big man with legit size at about 6’8”. He has the potential to affect the game with his length and mobility. Struggled in their game with positional defense and needs to continue to get stronger. Did have a nice and-1 inside. See him as a low-major player right now in a deep class of bigs.
SG Reginald Fisher (Mac Irvin Fire 16U)
Fisher is a new name that emerged on our radar at the event. This 6’0” combo guard is a long and rangy prospect that brings athleticism to the table along with shot making. He drilled an array of threes and mid-range jumpers. Showed some passing feel driving and kicking to teammates. Active on ball defender.
SG Antwan Bloxson (Mac Irvin Fire 16U)
Bloxson was another prospect that put himself on the map. This shooting guard is an intense on ball defender that plays with a lot of energy. Hit a corner three, but his defense came first in the game we saw.
G Amari Bailey (Mac Irvin Fire 16U)
Bailey is playing up two years as a 2022 prospect. This guard has excellent size and skill for his age. Advanced feel for the game and didn’t seem rattled at all playing up on the 16U level and in front of probably 50+ D1 coaches. He can pass the rock with a sound feel for the game. Bailey really shoots it well pulling up from mid-range. Three point shot is a bit streaky, but it will get there. This kid has the “it” factor. High-major prospect early on!