Run N Slam: 2021 Evaluations
PrepHoopsIllinois had wall to wall coverage of the Run N Slam tournament in Fort Wayne. Now it is time to look back at the weekend with our evaluations of the prospects from the class of 2021!
G Max Christie (Illinois Wolves)
Christie is the best 2021 prospect in Illinois and isn’t close! Playing up on the 16U level Christie led his team to a win over the #1 ranked 16U team in the country Indiana Elite who was riding a 60 game winning streak coming in. Christie was the difference as he was the best player on the floor. The lengthy 6’4” guard is a playmaker with the ball that doesn’t get rattle in big situations. He is an outstanding perimeter shooter connecting on a quite a few threes in the win. Electric guard has insane future! Has five-star national talent written all over him.
PG Anthony Sayles (Illinois Wolves)
Sayles is a lead guard from Niles Notre Dame that is super athletic. He used that athleticism to get to the rack throughout their game being fouled on a variety of takes. His elite hops were shown on a poster dunk as well as high pointing several rebounds. As the game went along his jump shot started to fall. Works very well in the pick and roll making good decisions putting the ball on the money. Finished with 21 points. Projecting as potentially the top lead guard in the 2021 class.
C Chris Hodges (Illinois Wolves)
This Schaumburg post was very impressive on Friday night. Big and physical center that snatched rebounds in traffic. Excellent area rebounder. Was assertive on the glass throughout the game. Showed more mobility than we have seen in the past out of him especially working in the pick and roll. Hodges competed inside against Michael Foster on Sunday. He wasn’t intimidated by the elite post getting him in foul trouble and was solid on the glass. D1 prospect and top post in the 2021 class.
SF Bryce Hopkins (Illinois Wolves)
Hopkins is a physical 6’4” small forward that started off their game against Kevon Looney fast especially on the defensive end. He had a knack for getting steals in this one. Nose for the ball getting multiple steals and taking them the other way for scores. Crafty scorer that likes to use a floater game and has a bit of an old school feel. Has D1 potential.
SG Isaiah Barnes (Illinois Wolves)
Barnes is a very intriguing prospect with his long, athletic, and rangy build. He struggles finishing at the rim at times, but looks so smooth getting there with effortless handles. He had his moments passing. Shoots a good ball from deep, but is inconsistent knocking it down. Should be on D1 radar. Transferring to OPRF from Romeoville.
SG Ahamad Bynum (Mac Irvin Fire)
This was absolutely the best we have seen the Simeon 2021 wing play. In a super late game against a highly touted prospect from Michigan, Bynum was the star on the floor. He took it right at the defense over and over again with his power and athleticism finishing at the cup. His motor was absolutely relentless throughout the game. Also his jumper was on point drilling multiple threes both off the catch and pulling up. Went for 31 points. Bynum made his claim to the #2 2021 spot with that performance.
PG Boopie Miller (Mac Irvin Fire)
Miller is a tiny guard but he can really shoot the basketball. The Morgan Park 2021 lead guard drilled an array of threes and also got to the hoop on several occasions where he finished with acrobatic layups. Finished with 19 points.
PG Bucky Irving (Mac Irvin Fire)
Irving is a compact scoring point guard from Hillcrest. Built like a running back with a powerful and strong upper body. He can shoot it from three. Set shot with no lift at all on it.
SF Tevin Smith (Meanstreets)
Smith is an intriguing small forward with strong and freakish athleticism at 6’4”. The Danville wing put that on display with a few poster dunks throughout the event including one over elite post Michael Foster. He has a burst going to the rim and is a great transition player. Upside player that needs to continue to develop his perimeter game. One of better wings in class.
SF Troy D’Amico (Meanstreets)
Skilled small forward that is a crafty ball handler and makes plays in the lane with runners and mid-range shots. Can hit spot up threes and is an excellent passer for a wing.
SG Blake Peters (Meanstreets)
Peters is a tough and gritty 6’1” shooting guard from Evanston in the 2021 class. He is best as a spot up shooter that has a quick release. Moves well without the ball to get open. Tough kid that is willing to stick his nose in to get rebounds. His long term ceiling will be dependent on how much his point guard skills improve at his size.
PG Nathaniel Hoskins (Meanstreets)
Hoskins running mate Tevin Smith at Danville gets most of the hype, but it was Hoskins that put himself on the map with his play at Run N Slam. The 6’2” lefty point guard is a crafty guard that handles it well and lives in the paint. He isn’t the most explosive athlete, but has a knack getting in the paint and finish with runners, floaters, layups, or mid-range pull ups. Made some difficult shots at the rim. Look forward to continuing to track his progress.
PG Kenton Wright (Meanstreets)
Wright is a point guard from Hillcrest at 5’10” that put himself on our radar with his play. Outstanding shooter that was lethal in one of the games connecting from both three and mid-range. Balance shot. Also got to the line.
PF Grant Newell (Meanstreets)
Newell is a long term play. The Whitney Young 6’5” forward has great length and mobility for his size. Long strides running the floor. Shot blocking potential. Shows he could become a decent shooter in time. Thin and needs refinement over time, but could see him as a face up four with a D1 grade in a couple years.
F Khailieo Terry (Indy Heat)
Terry is a FREAK SHOW ATHLETE! We have known this since we saw him in the Decatur Turkey Tourney back in November. This 6’4” forward put it on full display for those across the Midwest at Run N Slam. He had a couple spectacular dunks. The one that was most impressive was a reverse alley-oop that he caught over a man for an and-1. Springy jumper that also got on the glass. Just begging to see some skill out of him!!! He did hit one three, but the release was slow and he didn’t look overly comfortable with it. Terry is one of the better 2021’s in the state, but the upside is limited until he either grows or improves skill.
SF Jaylin Gibson (Indy Heat)
Gibson who is from Evanston High School is a bouncy wing that is best playing downhill. Super athlete that is explosive getting to the rim. He is best on straight line drives to the hoop. High motor kid that gets after it. One of the better wings in the state.