Summer Challenge: 2019 Evals Pt 2
We finished the July live period with coverage of the first annual PrepHoops Summer Challenge in Deerfield over the weekend. Now we begin to dive into our evaluations of the players at the event. Here is the 2019 Prospects Part 2!
PF Brian Johnson (Kessel Heat 17U)
Johnson was the star of Kessel Heat’s semifinal victory. The Glenbrook North four man is a gritty post that has a nose for the basketball. Competitive kid that rebounds in traffic. Also displayed his ability to stretch the defense with his three point shot. Went for 15 points in the win.
PG Zach Toussaint (Kessel Heat 17U)
Got to catch the last two games of the Kessel Heat career for this favorite of mine. We nicknamed him the “Baby Faced Assassin” during his 15U year and the name still stands. He is a fun playmaking point guard with a flair for the game. Opened the title game strong with several deep threes and a pair of layups. Pushed the pace and used his creative passing getting his teammates involved.
SG Daniel Filippone (Kessel Heat 17U)
Filippone played well in the championship game. The two guard flies around on both ends of the floor sacrificing his body to make a key play. Did it over and over again. He threw in several tough layups and scoop shots along with hitting a three. Great glue guy!
PG Pierre Black (Kessel Heat 17U)
Black is a combination guard from Larkin that is best as a spot up shooter. The rising senior can get hot spotting up from three. Would like to see him diversify his game this season to up his recruitment.
PF Vuk Djuric (Kessel Heat 17U)
This Lane Tech power forward came off the bench for Kessel Heat. Showed flashes as a rebounder and brings intensity.
SF Cortez Mosley (Illinois Warhawks 17U)
Mosley was one of the most pleasant surprises of the day. We haven’t seen much of this 6’5” small forward and he was ready for a primetime breakout performance. He is a big and athletic wing that has freaky bounce! He showed that off with a transition dunk early on. Plays so hard on both ends of the floor. He is definitely at his best in the open floor and driving to the hoop. Finished well. Did hit a mid-range jumper and made several nice passes. Went for 20 points.
PF Chris Payton (Illinois Warhawks 17U)
The last weekend of July is always an interesting one as sometimes players show up with teams you don’t associate them with. That is what happened on Sunday with the state’s #5 2019 prospect Chris Payton of Bloomington. The 6’7” power forward had a strong showing in Milwaukee last weekend with Meanstreets and flashed some of what makes him a quality prospect for his local Illinois Warhawks squad. Super bouncy around the rim and converted a couple big dunks. Handles it from the high-post and in. Blocked several shots. Really like his potential defensively.
SG Donzell Johnson (Illinois Warhawks 17U)
Johnson is a power wing from Bloomington that plays with a high end motor. He is excellent working in the mid-range where he connected from 15-18 feet on quite a few jumpers. Tough on ball defender that can take a bump on drives.
PG Nate Duckworth (Illinois Warhawks 17U)
Duckworth is a point guard that has emerged throughout the spring and summer with the Illinois Warhawks. He is a tough and competitive leader. Crisp ball handler and passer. Works well around ball screens. Pull up jump shooter. Going to have a monster senior season at Normal West.
SF Terance Montgomery-Fisher (Illinois Warhaws 17U)
This wing has a powerful 6’3” small forward from Normal Community is a high energy forward that likes to work from the mid-range with his jumper and handle a couple dribbles in from there. Solid rebounder.
PF Garrett Hooker (Illinois Warhawks 17U)
Hooker is a 6’6” post from Bloomington that displayed some mobility and skill working several pick and rolls for finishes as well as using a right handed hook shot.
G David Williams (Rockford 5-0 17U)
Williams is a 6’1” combo guard from Harlem High School that was the standout for Rockford 5-0 on Sunday afternoon. The rising senior was straight money shooting the basketball. He connected on an array of threes all over the floor. Plus shooter from deep. Finishes well with his off hand at the cup.
SG Jamil Jones (Rockford 5-0 17U)
Jones is a Rockford Guilford 6’2” shooting guard with strength and a rangy frame. Like the length he brings to the table along with his athleticism. Went off scoring in the game we didn’t see, but struggled to put it in the hoop when we were watching.
PF Samuel Stewart (Rockford 5-0 17U)
Stewart is a 6’5” power forward also from Rockford Guilford who is a rangy four man. He flashed some offensive pop scoring on a left handed hook shot, up and under, along with a mid-range jumper. Potential defensively.
PF Tre’Shaun Jones (Rockford 5-0 17U)
Jones stands at 6’7” from Harlem High School. The rising senior is a long and lanky post that was a shot blocking presence. Raw offensively.