Summer Jam: Sunday Standouts
Sunday closed out the NY2LA Sports Summer Jam! A pair of Illinois teams took home championships as the Illinois Irish won 17U and Meanstreets won 15U. Here are the standouts from the last day of the second live period.
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.
PF Karl Wright (Illinois Irish 17U)
Wright was definitely the tone setter in both of the Irish’s big wins. As always the Irish open up with an alley-oop to him the first possession and this bouncy undersized four man slammed them home with authority. That was just the beginning as he finished some absolutely spectacular dunks including one to close out the half that was Dominique Wilkins like. Rim runner in transition that this week especially started to show more skill hitting a few face up jumpers.
SF Ryland Holt (Illinois Irish 17U)
Holt is one of the biggest stock risers in the state with his play over the last two weeks. He finished his July at Homestead with a big performance in the championship game. The 6’5” wing is a plus shooter from three that also played well in transition as a wing finisher. Great versatility on both ends of the floor. Every year there is an Irish player that blows up this time of year. He is the guy this year!
C Evan Pogge (Illinois Irish Klein 17U)
This Pekin 6’6” post has good strength around the hoop. Finishes well on dump off passes and garners deep post position in the paint. Quality area rebounder. He was tough defensively blocking multiple shots in the game we saw.
SG Latik Murphy (Illinois Mustangs 17U)
This Morton shooting guard played well with his high school team during June and was outstanding on Sunday. He is a powerful guard that was aggressive taking it to the hoop off the bounce. Particularly effective working on the baseline for drives and hitting jumpers. Strong bodied wing that is powerful finishing in the lane. Hit a deep three, but was streaky shooting it.
C Kofi Cockburn (NY Rens 17U)
Cockburn is a 6’11” grown man! He is a big post that has a wide body and knows how to use it. Consistently garnered deep post position where he was able to dunk on his opponents or get to his go to right handed hook shot. Elite level rebounder that snatches them with his strong hands in traffic. Good post defender.
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.
PG Boopie Miller (Mac Irvin Fire 15U)
Saturday it was “Coach Boopie” that helped lead the Fire to a win. Against Meanstreets in the semifinals he displayed an innate ability to score at his diminutive size. Deep range on his three point shot to well beyond the arc and has some athleticism scoring with scoop shots in the paint.
SG Blake Peters (Meansteets 15U)
Peters is featured here for the second day in a row. The Evanston shooting guard was the sparkplug for Meanstreets in their semifinal victory over the Fire. This shooting guard is a tough and gritty wing that is an elite shooter from the perimeter. Crisp shooting stroke with a super quick release. Hit multiple threes in the game, but also mixed in a few tough drives including a sweet euro step on one.
SF Tevin Smith (Meanstreets 15U)
Smith is one of the top wings in the state of Illinois. The Danville wing is a powerful slasher with very good athleticism. Couple coast to coast takes finishing above the rim. His jump shot was on point as well drilling them from both mid-range and three. He is primed to take over at Danville as the go to scorer.
PF Scotty Ebube (Kessel Heat 15U)
This 6’7” power forward will debut in our next update of the 2021 class as one of the top post players. He is a strong and physical four man that is an outstanding rebounder with his long arms and timing. He finished well around the hoop with quickness and athleticism. Likes spin moves on the block. Got to the foul line quite a bit where he shoots it well from the line.
SG Jayden Houston (Quad City Elite 15U)
This Davenport North shooting guard opened our eyes as well as the PrepHoopsIowa staff a week ago. He continued that momentum in QCE’s last game on Sunday. He is a plus shooter that is at his best working in that 15-18 foot range off the dribble. Gets elevation off the floor and drills jumpers for days.
SG Brandon Newman (Meanstreets 17U)
Newman might have had the best performance of the day. The Indiana native is one of the more coveted wing prospects in the Midwest and it is because of his elite shooting from the perimeter. He is an outstanding shot maker drilling threes from all over the floor. About as good of a shooter as I have seen nationally in the 2019 class.