Summer Jam: 2019 Recruiting Notebook
PrepHoopsIllinois had wall to wall coverage of the NY2LA Sports Summer Jam last week. Over the last few days we have broken down 140+ prospects evaluations. Now it is time to dive into their recruitments in our Recruiting Notebook of 2019 prospects around the state!
SG Perry Cowan (DePaul Prep)
Cowan is a smooth shooting guard that is starting to do the little things more consistently. He landed an offer from Presbyterian last week. Talking to Wofford and Brown. Those are the main three he is in consistent communication with. He has an official scheduled for Brown set for September 14. Spoke highly of them saying, “Good program, good coaching staff, and it is in the Ivy League.”
SF Bryant Brown (Waukegan)
One of the more under recruited prospects in the state is this Waukegan forward. He doesn’t have any offers right now. He has talked to Cornell, Yale, Lehigh, Miami (OH), and Southern Illinois.
PF Keenon Cole (Streamwood)
Cole is a high energy four man that is active on the glass and brings quickness to the table on the interior. The Streamwood four man tells us he is in communication with Cal Poly, Eastern Kentucky, Stony Brook, Tulsa, and Kent State. He got his first offer in June from Northern Illinois. On the in-state program he said, “They are very welcoming and seemed really cool. They embraced me. It was a good vibe there. It is close to home. I am really comfortable with the whole place.”
PF Karl Wright (Springfield Lanphier)
Wright played very well at Summer Jam with his high flying dunks and flash of face up game. The rising senior tells us that SIU-Edwardsville and Quincy are the two schools he talks to the most at this stage.
G Sean Houpt (Danville)
Houpt is a tough combo guard that can defend and really shoot it off the catch. He reports that lately the schools he has heard from include Air Force, Cornell, Elon, Wofford, Hillsdale College, and some more D2’s. He went to Wright State’s and Elon’s elite camps.
C Evan Pogge (Normal Community)
The 6’6” big man is tough and plays bigger than his height. He is in communication with Ripon, Millikin, Illinois College, and Eureka College.
SG Christopher Burnell (Rockford East)
This big shooting guard had a nice week at Summer Jam with his scoring pop. Currently doesn’t hold any offers, but says he is talking to Arkansas Little Rock, Wisconsin Green Bay, and Miami (OH). Burnell says Miami (OH) stands out the most “I like the campus and the way they showed me attention at the elite camp.”
SF Ethan Helwig (Metea Valley)
Helwig shot lights out from the perimeter at Summer Jam. Programs he is hearing from include Lamar, Winona State, and SEMO. He hasn’t taken any visits and currently doesn’t hold any offers.
SF Will Engels (Benet)
Engels opened up eyes at Summer Jam with his defense and being a great role player for the Illinois Stars. Schools he has heard from the most are Navy, Presbyterian, Minot State, and St. Cloud State. No offers at this time.
PG Semaj Henderson (Downers Grove North)
Henderson had a nice showing at Summer Jam. He updated us with the latest on his recruitment saying he is communication with IUPUI, New Mexico, Southern Illinois, North Dakota, and others. He holds offers from Northern Illinois and Western Illinois. When it comes to Northern Illinois he says, “I like their campus and coaches. It is a real friendly environment. The players are cool and facilities are up to date.” On Western Illinois, “I like their head coach. He is real nice. He made me feel like I was at home. Trying to tell me stuff to do after basketball. I like their playing style and facilities.”
SF Evan Taylor (Glenbard West)
The top 10 standout says he is talking to a lot of high academic schools. Dartmouth and Loyola Maryland have offered. He says both of those programs are making him feel like a priority. When it comes to Loyola Maryland, “I like the area. High academic school and they play in the Patriot League. The coach really cares about his team and believes I can make an impact right away.” What about Dartmouth? “I went on campus and loved it. It was a great atmosphere. Love the team, coach, and assistant coaches.” Princeton has been talking to him. He would like to go back to Dartmouth and Loyola Maryland for official visits.
G Tyrese Shines (Lyons)
This big combo guard says he is in most communication with Lindenwood and Minnesota Stockton. Western Illinois has texted him.
PF Rashaun Agee (Bogan)
Northern Illinois has stepped up to the table with an offer for this athletic rebounding four man. He attended their elite camp where Agee left quite an impression on the NIU staff. Other schools showing interest include Tulsa and Georgia State.
PG Joseph Yesufu (Bolingbrook)
Yesufu is one of the top point guards in the state. He has offers from Drake, UW-Milwaukee, Toledo, Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois, Winthrop, and UTEP. Didn’t give any hints on leaders. Plans on starting to take visits after July.
C Kam Leonard (Bolingbrook)
The Bolingbrook center is picking up quite a bit of interest at the D2 level. Recently added an offer from Lewis. On Lewis he said, “I like that it is close to home. I won’t be that far from my parents. It is close to home and it is pretty nice.” Purdue Northwestern and McKendree have also expressed interest.
SF Tujautae Williams (Orr)
Williams drew a pretty big crowd in the game we saw him play with the Demons. He holds offers from Northwestern State, Western Illinois, and Lewis. He has interest from Florida Atlantic, and Missouri State.
SF Malcolm Miller (Shelbyville)
The sharp shooter from southern Illinois tells us he is talking to Concordia, Augustana, and Illinois Wesleyan.
SG Malik Smith (Alton)
Athletic wing from the metro east is coming off a strong junior campaign. Smith is in communication the most right now with Quincy and Indian Hills.