Summer Jam: 2019 Evals Pt 1
PrepHoopsIllinois covered NY2LA Sports Summer Jam all five days last week at Homestead High School in Mequon, Wisconsin. Here we dive into our scouting reports from the events in 2019 Evaluations: Part 1!
PF Karl Wright (Illinois Irish 17U)
Wright is a slightly undersized four man that is an elite level athlete. Showed that off as soon as the coaches were walking in the door with an array of monster dunks where his head spent a lot of time above the rim! Runs the floor and is a great player to throw lobs too as he has tremendous timing catching dunks. We have always known he is a high flier so what might have been even more impressive was the perimeter skill he showed knocking down a pair of jumpers. One from mid-range and another from three. If he can add this to his game consistently over the next week his recruitment will start to take off. Nice job as a rebounder that high pointed them in traffic.
G Sean Houpt (Illinois Irish 17U)
Houpt is just a consistent performer. He was very good when we saw him a week ago at the Next Level Invitational. Houpt is a lefty combo guard that leans toward the two. He is a sound threat off the catch connecting from deep on a regular basis. Calm under pressure doing a good job of staying under control against double teams simply making the right play. Mixed in a tough finish at the cup which he gets a couple a game and was a sound perimeter defender as always.
SF Ryland Holt (Illinois Irish 17U)
Holt is one of the state’s top stock risers over the last two weeks. He is starting to attract significant D2 interest and even some at the low-major level. What makes Holt so intriguing is his combination of length, athleticism, and versatility. His jump shot has also really improved and is now the strength of his game. Sound shooter from both pulling up from mid-range and shooting off the catch from three. Did a nice job high pointing rebounds in traffic.
SF Landon Wolfe (Illinois Irish 17U)
Wolfe closed out the weekend in style. The strong small forward from Effingham was on point in his team’s two wins over EYBL Illinois squads Fire and Meanstreets. Shot it well off the catch with his free and easy release. Also mixed in several runners and floaters. Wolfe is a sound offensive rebounder from his wing spot.
PG Luke Yoder (Illinois Irish 17U)
Yoder is a prospect out of Bloomington Central Catholic who had a solid showing at Summer Jam. The point guard did a nice job of running his squad in the half court getting them into sets and finding his teammates in the right positions to succeed. Crisp passer and can hit open shots. Showed quality leadership throughout the week.
PG Payton Havens (Illinois Irish 17U)
Havens is a tough and gritty point guard that plays as a backup lead guard for the Irish. The Metamora guard can hit an occasional shot off the catch.
SG Jirehl Brock (Illinois Irish 17U)
Brock is an Iowa State commit for football as he is one of the top running backs in the entire country. The rising senior decided to run with his old Illinois Irish squad again after taking some time away from the travel team circuit. The top 100 prospect proved he could have been a steal at the D3 level if he would have chosen hoops. With his compact build he can easily take a bump and finish at the cup.
PG Damari Nixon (Chicago Select 17U)
Nixon is one of the top prospects on Chicago Select and he played like it against the Rens. The angular lefty was outstanding shooting the basketball connecting on pull up jumpers and three triples. Played with a lot of confidence against big time competition.
SF Greg Outlaw (Chicago Selct 17U)
Outlaw is an elite level athlete on the perimeter from Bogan. He was a bit quiet for stretches, but the flashes he shows are intriguing. Best playing in transition and slashing on the baseline. Average mid-range shooter. Struggles from deep. Defensive potential.
SG Andrew Stewart & Elijah Stewart (Chicago Select 17U)
Neither of these twins had huge scoring games, but they each contain scoring pop. Mid-range jumper is the strengths of their game.
SF Solomon Oraegubu (Chicago Select 17U)
This St. Rita wing is interesting. Tough perimeter defender that can check multiple positions. Pushes in transition and can score in one on one situations on occasion.
SF Deion Jackson (Chicago Select 17U)
Jackson is a long and angular lefty that is quick defensively and has a knack for getting to the foul line.
PF Danardo Jones (Chicago Select 17U)
Jones still continues to be a prospect with a lot of upside that lacks production. Elite level athlete with bounce off the floor that will look spectacular on a couple plays a game with a big block or dunk, but the production isn’t there.
SG Christopher Burnell (Illinois Stars 17U)
Burnell is a power two guard that got to play some on the ball and looked more comfortable doing so than in the past when we had seen him. Strong and stocky build out of this guard that loves to attack downhill. Tough cover when he gets a head of steam behind him. Came into this week with an aggressive mindset and it paid off. Connected on a variety of pull up jumpers all over the floor.
PG Traevon Brown (Illinois Stars 17U)
It took this West Aurora lead guard a while to settle into the game, but he made some huge shots late to get his team the victory early in the week. The biggest key for him is how his three point shot has become a more consistent weapon over the last year. That was evident in the second half as he drilled a trio to seal the win. Athletic guard with some developmental upside. Missed the end of the week.
SF Ethan Helwig (Illinois Stars 17U)
This Metea Valley rising senior is a wing we have been writing about for a while. He is a wiry wing that can score it particularly with his deep three point shooting. That was exactly what he featured on Friday afternoon. He opened up absolutely stroking threes from way beyond the arc. Mixed in some runners, mid-range shots, and got on the glass some. Solid week shooting from deep.
SF Marquise Ratcliff (Illinois Stars 17U)
Ratcliff is a combo forward that showed more perimeter skills playing with the Illinois Stars. Freaky athlete that can defend multiple positions. Rebounds well in traffic. Game just needs to be refined some.
SF Will Engels (Illinois Stars 17U)
This Benet wing jumped on our radar with his play. What he did best was defend. Active defender that can switch. Contests shots. Tough and gritty offensive player that plays as a secondary option.
SF Shaden Clanton (Illinois Stars 17U)
Clanton who is from Rockford East broke out at the tournament putting his name on the map of a lot of small college programs. Angular wing that slashes taking good angles. Jumper was ok from mid-range. Streaky from three although he did hit a couple. Multi-positional defender.