Sleeper 2019 Wings
Who are sleeper wings in the state of Illinois in the 2019 class? We look in-depth to find some of the under the radar shooting guard and small forwards in the state.
Julian Barr (Lincoln Way East)
Barr is a 6’4” wing from Lincoln Way East that shot the lights out when we saw him with Team RWA. He is a well built two guard that drills threes from all over the court. Quick and clean shot mechanics. Most effective off the catch, but did show a smooth pull up from 15 feet as well. Mixes in some off the bounce as he is a decent athlete.
Cortez Mosley (Peoria Richwoods)
Mosley is a super athletic wing that will transfer to Richwoods for his senior season. He is a big and athletic wing that has freaky bounce! Plays so hard on both ends of the floor. He is definitely at his best in the open floor and driving to the hoop. Finishes well. Hit an occasional mid-range jumper and made nice passes.
Sean Houpt (Danville)
Houpt is a favorite of ours with the competitiveness he brings to the table on both ends of the floor. Mixes in a tough takes and doesn’t shy away from contact. Like what he brings defensively as he is a pit bull at the point of attack. Plus shooter off the catch with a sweet lefty stroke.
Latik Murphy (Morton)
He is a powerful guard that is 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. Can hit a deep three, but was streaky shooting it when we saw him in July.
Anthony Roberts (OPRF)
Roberts is a 6’4” small forward that plays bigger than his height. The OPRF forward rebounds well in traffic snatching them with two hands. Offensively he works best out of the high post. Connects on threes and can take his man off the bounce from mid-range.
Fillip Bulatovic (Maine South)
Bulatovic is a two guard from Maine South that flies a bit under the radar, but this kid can play! He is best as a spot up shooter with a clean release from three. Plays really hard. At times he is a bit wild and misses some layups, but you will take the aggression he plays with any day. Gets on the glass for put backs. Productive scoring wing with sneaky athleticism.
Dylan Engler (Oswego)
Engler broke out in July with his play both for Mercury Elite and in camp settings. Engler is a 6’4” wing from Oswego that has proven to be a great glue player for Mercury Elite. What you have to like about his game is the way he can contribute a little bit across the board and is efficient with his touches offensively. He makes a lot of plays off the bounce scoring in the lane with crafty drives that he often converted with runners or surprising athletic pop. Sound passer for a wing. Clean looking shot.
Kameron Battle (Oswego East)
Battle stands at 6’6” and is the son of former Illini standout Kenny Battle. Excellent rebounder with an explosive second jump. Battle shines as an offensive rebounder with put backs. High points rebounds on both ends of the floor with his springy legs. Flashes a little perimeter skill.
Ikenna Okeke (Romeoville)
This Romeoville 6’5” wing is an angular forward that plays with a high motor! Slashing is what he does best taking quality angles and using a strong first step to get to the rim. Also thought he stood out defensively the way he defended the opposing teams best perimeter threat with the Hoopers. Classic glue guy that makes his team better!
Keith Kiner (Chester)
Kiner is an angular forward that plays with a high motor and rebounds well. Defensive presence being able to guard multiple positions and can block shots on occasion. His offensive game is starting to shine through with his improved ball handling in the open floor and even showing he can shoot some from three.
Will Engels (Benet)
This Benet wing jumped on our radar with his play for the Illinois Stars. What he did best was defend. Active defender that can switch. Contests shots. Tough and gritty offensive player that plays as a secondary option.
Shaden Clanton (Rockford East)
Clanton who is from Rockford East broke out at Summer Jam 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.
Andrew Veon (Riverside Brookfield)
Veon is an intriguing combo forward at the small college level with his 6’5” frame. Plays really hard and with an edge. Handles it well in space getting to the rim where he finishes through contact.
Connor Ilyari (Downers Grove North)
It was lights out shooting from the perimeter for this Breakaway wing during July. He has been a consistent presence throughout the spring and summer. He connected on a lot of threes off the catch particularly being effective from the wings. Big time spot up shooter.
Austin Rager (Mt. Carmel)
Rager is a sleeper prospect from Southern Illinois. This Mt. Carmel 2019 wing is a plus athlete with strength in his upper body. Really like what he brings to the table defensively. Contests shots and moves well staying in front of his man on the perimeter. Offensively can hit a mid-range jumper and created his own shot off the bounce on a few occasions with the Illinois Bears.
Ocean Johnson (Leyden)
Johnson who is from Leyden High School is a plus athlete that flies around making plays on both ends of the floor. Strong slashes to the rim and is also active on the offensive glass getting put backs.