Run N Slam: Sunday Standouts
PrepHoopsIllinois closed out the weekend on Sunday at the Run N Slam in Fort Wayne. See what players performed on the final day of action here!
PG DJ Steward (Meanstreets 16U)
Steward was incredible throughout the entire event and his play on Sunday might have been the best we have ever seen the point guard. The 2020 guard had his complete game working! Steward is an ultra-smooth guard that has the ability with his handles to get wherever he wants with his speed. It opens up so many avenues for himself and others. He won off the dribble getting to the cup on drives as well as finding teammates for open threes. His jumper was about as good as we have seen it being automatic from both mid-range and three. His cat like quickness on the defensive end and length got him a few steals too.
SG Destin Whitaker (Meanstreets 16U)
Whitaker is a wing from Romeoville that at times can be a bit up and down, but there is no questioning his talent. He has size at about 6’4” and when he is engaged like he was Sunday he can make a major impact. Whitaker played super hard and that translated over to both ends of the floor. He was drilling spot up threes and was a beast on the defensive end locking down.
PG Anthony Sayles (Illinois Wolves 15U)
Sayles is trending as one of the top 2021 prospects in the state of Illinois. The lead guard from Niles Notre Dame lived in the paint against Kevon Looney Rebels. He has tremendous speed attacking downhill with acceleration and the ability to change direction quickly. Plus layup maker on tough shots. He also is becoming more of a reliable threat from beyond the arc shooting it. Capable passer that is making strides there too.
SF Bryce Hopkins (Illinois Wolves 15U)
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.
C Michael Foster (Kevon Looney Rebels 15U)
Foster might be the best 2021 prospect in the country. The Milwaukee native has the size, strength, skill, and athleticism combination that remind you of a young DeMarcus Cousins. The early Arizona State pledge got in some foul trouble against the Wolves, but other than that was completely dominant. Elite rebounder that snatches them out of the air with force. He can handle the ball in the open floor and is a plus pull up jump shooter. One play he handled up the floor with his off hand and then pulled up from 18 feet like it was nothing. Completely unfair! At times he can settle for bad shots because he is a load inside, but hard to knock him too much as he makes some really tough ones too.
SF Terrence Shannon (Mac Irvin Fire 17U)
This Lincoln Park wing who is reclassifying and heading to Woodstock Academy for a prep year continues to improve as a late bloomer. The 6’6” small forward is a big time athlete that excels in transition. He was a finisher a lot getting out ahead of the break winning in one on one situations with layups. One sick euro step that he hammered home with a dunk. In the half court he was more aggressive than earlier in the weekend getting downhill and not settling as much for threes.
PF Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indy Heat 17U)
Jackson-Davis put on a complete show for the second weekend in a row against the Mac Irvin Fire. He has such a tremendous combination of skill and athleticism on the block that he is tough to contain. High basketball IQ out of the post using angles well sealing off for slams. He had about five or six huge jams. Finishes through contact. Mid-range jumper is a weapon. Elite rebounder. Trending as a McDonald’s All-American. He had 25 points
PF Keion Brooks (Indy Heat 17U)
Brooks was almost as impressive as his frontcourt mate. The athletic and angular four man is so quick around the hoop with an impressive second jump. One time he missed a shot and got back up for the put back so quick I swear I didn’t think there was any way he could have done it! The rangy forward runs the floor well and can really shoot the ball from three and mid-range well for his position. Went for 17 points.
PG Amari Bailey (Mac Irvin Fire 16U)
This stud 2022 made noise for the Fire playing up on the 16U level. He is a legit 6’4” guard with an advanced understanding of the game. He has always been the best prospect on that Fire 16U team, but is starting to become the best player right now too which is scary! Settled for a few too many jumpers, but can hit from three. Did most of his damage in the open floor with creative finishes at the rim.
SG Anthony Leal (Indiana Elite 16U)
Leal opened up a lot of eyes on the national scene this weekend. This shooting guard is a knock down shooter that moves well without the rock to get open. He connected on an array of threes. Sound passer that makes good decisions. He is an efficient scorer who finished with 18 points. This Bloomington South (IN) wing was one of the big breakout stars of the event.
SG D’Andre Davis (Indiana Elite 16U)
Davis is another intriguing prospect for IE 16U. He is a tough wing that is a plus athlete. Powerful finishing around the cup in the paint. Also a capable shooter connecting on a couple of jumpers. Davis is definitely one to watch going forward. Finished with 14 points.