Summer Jam: 2019 Evals Pt 2
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 2!
PG Marquise Kennedy (Illinois Wolves 17U)
Kennedy is the prospect with the most buzz in the state right now. The Brother Rice point guard played very well in Atlanta during the first period and picked up an array of offers because of it. Looked like he was going to go off again against CIA Bounce as he came out on fire with takes to the rim winning off the dribble with ease and making tough layups at the cup. Overall didn’t shoot it his best. I thought he did a nice job distributing getting others involved throughout the game. Solid overall week for Kennedy.
SG Perry Cowan (Illinois Wolves 17U)
Cowan is a player that right now is flying a bit under the radar. Coming off a solid junior campaign at DePaul Prep this is a huge month for him with a lot of coaches in the stands. What I liked about his game on Wednesday night was how well he did the little things. Had a few aggressive takes, made sound passes, hit a corner three, got on the glass for a put back. Did a little bit of everything and didn’t settle.
PF Tom Welch (Illinois Wolves 17U)
This Naperville North 2019 power forward took over the game for his Illinois Wolves squad on Saturday night. The rising senior put his versatility on display along with his athletic pop. Welch powered home two big slams including a super explosive one on a baseline take. Handled the ball down the stretch and made key play after key play to win the game. Finishes around the hoop. Tough post defender that can guard in a ball screen as well.
PF Keenon Cole (Illinois Wolves 17U)
Cole is a bouncy four man that plays with a high motor and is extremely active. Super quick second jump allowing him to get on the offensive glass for put backs. He did a nice job defending elite post Michael Foster. Although he outweighs him Cole used his length and quickness to bother the rising sophomore stud. Athleticism around the hoop finishing.
C Ciaran Brayboy (Illinois Wolves 17U)
Brayboy had his moments. The future Ivy League post is a player that plays with a lot of physicality. Well-built center that rebounds and scored mostly on offensive rebound put backs. Quality post defender anchoring on the block and blocking shots on occasion.
SF Bryce Hopkins (Illinois Wolves 17U)
Hopkins is coming off an injury that sidelined him for most of the spring. The Fremd forward played well on the first night playing with a high activity level in reserve minutes. Hit a wing three and got on the offensive glass for a put back.
PG Markese Jacobs (Mac Irvin Fire 17U)
Jacobs hit not just one, but two game winners on Thursday. I would say that is a heck of a day! It was really his passing that got things started. He showed some growth as a passer I thought especially in the open floor threading the needle in traffic on multiple occasions. Plays above the rim with finishes although he did miss multiple wide open dunks. Burst with the ball and is so fast in the open floor. With the game on the line in both contests the Kansas commit took the game into his hands and scored at the cup.
SF Kahlil Whitney (Mac Irvin Fire 17U)
Whitney has just taken this to another stratosphere! The 6’7” small forward looked completely unguardable in both games we saw on Thursday. His jump shot has improved leaps and bounds over the last 12 months to where he is now a lethal mid-range jump shooter which is a great combination with his ability to get to the rack. Footwork on the jumper is very impressive. Explosive off the bounce blowing past people and at times all defenders could do was put him at the line. He scored in every way imaginable.
SF Terrence Shannon (Mac Irvin Fire 17U)
Another big week for Shannon. He is a beast in the open floor starting out their game on Thursday morning going end to end on multiple occasions for slams or euro step finishes. The majority of his points come in the open floor where he is so tough to stop once he has a head of steam behind him. Great second jump off the floor to get his own miss or one of his teammates.
PF Rashaun Agee (Mac Irvin Fire 17U)
Agee is a broad shouldered four man that is a defensive presence and a quality rebounder. Most of his points at Summer Jam came off transition points and put backs. Did step out and hit a three. Like his upside though as a rebounder at the next level with his athleticism.
PF Chris Payton (Meanstreets 17U)
Payton might be the least talked about top 5 player in recent memory. The Bloomington four man who was once committed to Illinois State had a heck of a day in the pair of contests that we witnessed. What we liked was how well he rebounded both in and out of his area. Chased down balls and snatched them out of the air in traffic. Got a lot of points off his energy on the glass. Bouncy athlete that finished better inside than we had seen in recent outings. One of his best plays was a spin in the lane. Also a high/low seal off that he dunked. Came off the bench and was super effective in each game we saw.
PG Joseph Yesufu (Meanstreets 17U)
Yesufu played solid throughout the week, but didn’t have a standout game or moment. Compact guard that pushes the tempo with his speed in the open floor. Did a nice job of getting his teammates the ball in position to succeed. Was mostly a distributor throughout the week.
G Tyler Cochran (Hoopers Basketball 17U)
When I went to the court to see Hoopers play on Thursday afternoon there were a ton of coaches and a big reason was a lot of low and mid-majors taking a look at this Bolingbrook combo guard. Big and physical combo guard who plays best with the ball in his hands attacking downhill. Uses his physicality to score or draw contact inside. Consistently scores on and-1s. Big time rebounder for his position. Not the greatest athlete, but he uses his power to make up for it.
PF CJ Wilbourn (Quad City Elite 17U)
Wilbourn was a standout last week at Next Level Invitational and was again on Friday. This Normal Community post has a nice combination of skill and athleticism. Face up game has improved hitting a three, handling it, and made a few nice passes. Also worked well in post with a hook shot along with sealing off his defender for a score. Tough defender that will block an occasional shot.
SG Deonte Billups (Quad City 17U)
BIllups has played a lot of games at Homestead High School over the years. He saved one of his best for last. Despite the loss to the Irish the Moline 2019 shooting guard scored well drilling perimeter jumpers and high pointed rebounds in traffic consistently. Really like the motor that he played with throughout the event.
C Jermaine Hamlin (Quad City Elite 17U)
It was a quiet week for Hamlin. The 6’9” center from Lincoln didn’t score a ton in the games we saw. Hit a short jumper every now and then, but it wasn’t the same level he played at the week before. Still liked how the state’s #2 center rebounded throughout the week.