SWIC Team Camp: Top Prospects
PrepHoopsIllinois had our staff out across the state on Saturday for the opening of team camps. I hit up the SWIC Team Camp in Belleville, Illinois which featured some of the top prospects in the metro east and across the river in St. Louis. Here are the top prospects at the event that we saw play on Saturday.
PF EJ Liddell (Belleville West – 2019)
Liddell was playing his first game in a Belleville West uniform since leading his team to a 4A state title in March. He was dominant as usual right from the jump. The 6’7” power forward made quick and aggressive moves on the interior that were unguardable against Highland and Madison. He is such an efficient scorer in the low post with an array of moves that he gets right into as soon as he touches the ball. Liddell got on the glass for multiple offensive rebound put backs including a big tip dunk. Handled it facing up from the mid-post including an explosive baseline take. Also drilled a handful of threes in the two contests that we saw. Defensively he was a beast blocking shots pinning several against the backboard. I continue to say that an underrated part of his game is his passing. Works well as both a passer and finisher in the high-low and sees open shooters when he is doubled in the post. High major prospect! Scored 16 points against Madison and 14 points against Highland.
PF Keith Randolph (Belleville West – 2019)
Randolph will be playing football at the next level, but he continues to make the case that if he wanted to he could have a future on the hardwood at the low-major or D2 level. The broad shouldered bully on the interior is so powerful on the boards. Just mauls opponents for offensive rebounds that he puts back with ease. He finishes well through contact. Going to be a force in the metro east in two sports next season! He had 13 points against Madison.
PG Lawrence Brazil (Belleville West – 2019)
Brazil is the third rising senior that is a key returner for Belleville West. The point guard came up with a clutch play to seal the state title and will have to do more of the same this upcoming season for the Maroons to repeat. He is a scoring point guard that is best right now at pushing the pace in the open floor and hitting threes off the catch. Small college player.
SF Kendall Kennedy (Madison – 2019)
This 6’3” small forward from the metro east is a strong wing that plays with a high motor. He is powerful taking it to the hoop where he is at his best. Also mixes in a mid-range jumper on occasion and is a quality defender. Small college prospect.
SF Daulton Burgner (Belleville Althoff – 2020)
Burgner is a player we have been able to see quite a bit of over the last month with the Illinois Bears. He should be able to make an impact next season as a junior for Belleville Althoff. Quality size and length on the wing. Crafty ball handler driving it to the cup. Small colleges have him on your radar early.
PF Patrick Readye (Belleville Althoff – 2020)
This is the top prospect for Althoff. Readye is a big man that has nice size and strength on the interior. He has a lot of the physical tools you look for in a post player. The big man has gotten in better shape which allows him to get up and down the floor easier. He displayed a right handed hook shot and also finished through contact for an and-1. Blocked a shot. Leaves you wanting just a bit more when you watch him and see his immense potential. Low-major player to monitor at this stage.
PG Ethyn Brown (Belleville Althoff – 2021)
Brown is going to make a big impact in the metro east next season as a sophomore. The rangy lead guard is smooth with the ball in his hands and takes it strong to the cup over and over again. A bit turnover prone at time, but that will come with time.
SF Terrence Hargrove (East St. Louis – 2019)
Hargrove is a top 5 prospect in the state of Illinois. He is a super athletic forward that plays with a never ending motor. It is now his team at ESL and he gave us a glimpse into what that will look like next season on Saturday. The 6’5” wing is best in the open floor where he can finish with thunderous slams! He did that on a regular basis throughout their two contests that we saw. Handles have gotten tighter which have allowed him to win off the dribble in the half court and finish at the cup where he can take a bump. Jump shoot from mid-range was pretty solid. Streaky from three although he did hit a few including looking comfortable in a pick and pop situation. Rebounds well in traffic. Projects a guy who can guard multiple positions at the next level. Hargrove had 18 points against Breese Mater Dei and 13 points against Mehlville. High-major minus player.
PF Armond Williams (East St. Louis – 2020)
Williams is a long and rangy 6’7” power forward that is going to make major noise this upcoming season. He is still raw in some respects, but he is quick to the glass for second chance points and is an active defender with his length. Once he gets stronger he will be able to finish more consistently. Intriguing prospect to track!
SF Lashawn Johnson (East St. Louis – 2020)
Johnson is another 2020 East St. Louis product that is going to emerge this season. Liked him when we saw him with Larry Hughes Basketball Academy this spring on the 16U level and he had another nice showing at SWIC. The wing has plus athleticism, length, and can really score it! Sound perimeter shooter drilling shots off the catch. Slick with the ball through traffic especially in the open floor. Threw a couple nice outlet dimes. He had 8 points against Breese Mater Dei.
PG Jacob Schadegg (Breese Mater Dei – 2020)
This 5’9” point guard is a tough and competitive kid that can really shoot the basketball. He connected on several threes against East St. Louis and also had a gritty layup mixed in. Small college player.
SF Lamontay Daughtery (Mehlville, MO – 2020)
Daughtery recently moved across the river from DuQuoin to Mehlville in St. Louis. We caught his first two games with his new squad. What you have to like about Daughtery is his size for position and athleticism. Like how he rebounded the basketball throughout the day in traffic. He has a quick second jump to the hoop. Starting to get stronger in his upper body. The jump shot wasn’t falling, but what did work for him was his hops in the open floor where he hammered a couple big slams home. Would like to see him be even more aggressive. Mid-major plus prospect at this stage, but he definitely has high-major ability.
C Stephen Torre (Highland – 2019)
This 6’8” center has great height in the paint. Will definitely need to add strength as time goes along. He struggled finishing at times and had some turnover issues. Did flash through with a nice dunk, finishing on a roll, and sealing his man off for a bucket inside. Even blocked Liddell’s shot once. Projects as a small college player.
SF Sam LaPorta (Highland – 2019)
LaPorta is a 6‘4” forward that will go the football route in college, but even though he scored limited points he definitely made an impact on the game against Belleville West. Well put together wing that can hit from the mid-range and is an outstanding passer. Rebounds well in traffic.