Summer Jam: 2020 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 2020 Evaluations: Part 1!
F Frank Jakubicek (Illinois Wolves 16U)
This Cary Grove post has slimmed down since we last saw him in the spring it seemed. Was able to show more quickness and athleticism because of it. He finishes well around the hoop being very efficient when the ball touches his hands. Solid rebounder and can occasionally hit a mid-range jumper.
SF Will Wolfe (Illinois Wolves 16U)
Wolfe is the highest ranked prospect on the Wolves 16U squad. The rising junior brings a nice combination of skill and toughness. Shoots it well especially off the catch. Was impressed with how well he passed the ball from his wing spot.
PG Donovan Newby (Illinois Wolves 16U)
Newby runs the show for the Wolves and the Bloom guard can score in spurts. Was most effective when we saw him as a scorer off the bounce converting multiple tough layups at the rim.
SF Jayden Johnson (Fundamental U 16U)
Johnson opened up play for Fundamental U with a statement performance at 8:00 AM on Thursday morning. For whatever reason this top 10 2020 prospect doesn’t have an offer and in front of a decent amount of Midwest coaches he showed why he deserves that offer. The ultra-skilled wing has a high basketball IQ and knack for putting the ball in the hoop. Some coaches might knock him a bit on his athleticism, but man can this kid score. He is a plus shooter from three with a clean looking stroke. Finishes well through contact at the rim and consistently makes the right play.
F Josh Preston (Fundamental U 16U)
Preston who is an undersized four man for Geneva is one of those players that just knows how to get stuff done. The 6’4” forward has a nose for the ball seemingly always being around to make the right play. Efficient with his touches and is a very good offensive rebounder. Junk yard dog forward with some skill being able to pass and has a soft touch around the hoop.
PG Luke Scheffers (Fundamental U 16U)
Scheffers is a crafty point guard that plays with a flair for the game. He is a natural pass first point guard with a feel for the game. Does a good job of getting his teammates involved and making crisp passes. Vision in transition. Capable shooter from three.
SG Matthew Ambrose (Fundamental U 16U)
Ambrose is a plus shooter from the perimeter. The Stevenson two guard moves well without the ball to get open and has a quick release from deep. Liked how he mixed in some runners and shot fakes to diversify his game.
SF Connor Kochera (Fundamental U 16U)
Kochera is a versatile wing from St. Viator that should see his profile rise this season on one of the top teams in the area. Impressed most what he does on the defensive end of the floor. Can switch and guard multiple positions. Offensively didn’t standout out a ton in Milwaukee. Rebounded well.
SG Uchenna Egekeze (Fundamental U 16U)
Egekeze is an angular and lengthy two guard that is the younger brother of former Huntley and Belmont standout Amanze Egekeze. This guard is a plus defender with his length and quickness on the perimeter. Active on both ends of the floor. Rebounds well and showed some handles attacking off the bounce.
C Michael Huene (Fundamental U 16U)
Huene is a big man from St. Viator that has legit size. Did a nice job rebounding in the two games that we saw. Got some put backs. Played hard on both ends and blocked a few shots.
SF Jack Holmstrom (Quad City Elite 16U)
Holmstrom has made his name known in our eyes over the last two weeks. This lefty 6’6” small forward has nice strength and plays with a lot of toughness. The skill set is there as well being able to shoot it off the catch or connect on mid-range shots. Not a go to scorer, but when the ball is in his hands usually good things tend to happen.
SF Isaiah Rivera (Quad City Elite 16U)
This Geneseo wing is the #4 ranked prospect in the state of Illinois. He had a tough matchup in the game that we saw against Phenom University with their bigger and more athletic wings. Rivera mostly stuck to his ground game attacking off the dribble with power getting fouled or scoring at the hoop. Also got on the offensive glass for put back.
C Devon House (Quad City Elite 16U)
House is currently the #2 center in the state, but the way he has played this past month can make a strong case for the top spot at that position. He is a wide bodied five man that has skill in the post. Rebounds well and is a good outlet passer. Struggled some against Jalen Johnson’s quickness inside defending him.
SG Sincere Parker (Illinois Stars 16U)
Parker put himself on our radar with his play in Milwaukee. This 6’3” shooting guard from Rockford East has broad shoulders and long arms. Frame where he should be able to continue to add strength going forward. Showed an innate ability to score the ball at multiple levels and was a primetime performer in the upset on the 17U level of the New York Rens.
PG DJ Steward (Meanstreets 16U)
Steward is an outstanding jump shooter and that is exactly what he did hitting shots all over the floor in Milwaukee. Did it both off the catch and pulling up. Works well around ball screens to get his jumper off. Clean release on his shot with textbook mechanics. Pushes the tempo and threaded the needle multiple times in transition. Defensively his length plays well getting into opponents along with creating turnovers.
PG Tyler Beard (Meanstreets 16U)
Beard is a super athletic point guard that is coming off a monster month of June and strong showing at the Peach Jam. The Whitney Young 2020 point guard didn’t have his jump shot falling at the rate we saw previously, but he was still effective with the way he attacked downhill both in the half court and transition. Speed and is an outstanding layup maker at the rim. State’s #3 2020 prospect.
PG Ahron Ulis (Meanstreets 16U)
Ulis is one of the premier point guards in the state and with the other 2/3 of their three headed point guard monster playing up that day it was the Marian Catholic guard that was the feature player. He is a guard that handles the ball well and is particularly effective working in the pick and roll game. Ulis is a sound jump shooter and is actually best pulling up from both mid-range and three. Acrobatic finishes at the rim. Advanced feel passing at the lead guard spot.
PF RJ Ogom (Meanstreets 16U)
This jacked 2020 undersized four man from Homewood Flossmoor is a post that snatches rebounds in traffic with his strong hands. Finishes dump off passes with dunks. Solid post defender anchoring and contesting shots.
SF Jeremiah Williams (Meanstreets 16U)
Williams stands at 6’3” with length and projectability. Thin frame that he will need to add some weight onto. Runs the floor well finishing on the break. Think where his biggest potential comes is defensively blocking shots on the wing and staying in front of his man.
SF Destin Whitaker (Meanstreets 16U)
Whitaker is a wing that has size, athleticism, and versatility. Can shoot it some off the catch and is a multi-positional defender. The Romeoville wing will be the go to player for his high school team next season.