Top 2019 Wings
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Here we breakdown the best shooting guards and small forwards in the state of Illinois in the class of 2019! Who stands at the top of their class?
Dajuan Gordon (Curie)
Travel Team: Team Rose
Overall Ranking: #3
Gordon is a rangy 6’4” wing that was the best player for Team Rose throughout the spring and summer. He is a smooth athlete that plays well in the transition game. Plus shooter off the catch that can let it fly from deep. He is a very projectable prospect with a lot of upside. He has diversified his scoring game, starting to contribute on glass, and is playing more consistent.
Terrence Hargrove (East St. Louis)
Travel Team: Brad Beal Elite
Overall Ranking: #6
Hargrove is a high energy forward with elite hops that outworks everyone. He did that at times with Brad Beal Elite with a variety of scores in the paint on put backs and quick moves around the hoop. He was solid, but not spectacular throughout the spring. Like his athleticism and motor that he brings to the table.
Myles Baker (Whitney Young)
Travel Team: Team Rose
Overall Ranking: #9
Baker shot lights out in in the spring with Team Rose. The Whitney Young two guard had his feathery jumper working from both three and mid-range. Baker did most of his damage from three, but did show some solid passing from the off guard position. Upside as a scoring two guard.
Jeremiah Hernandez (St. Viator)
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
Overall Ranking: #11
Hernandez is a smooth shooter that can create his shot off the bounce. Good at pulling up creating space for his shot. Smooth release with elevation. He got to the rim with his slick handles with Y&R throughout the spring and summer. Big time scoring potential with a rangy build on the perimeter.
Evan Taylor (Glenbard West)
Travel Team: Illinois Heat
Overall Ranking: #12
Taylor is a high academic 6’6” wing from Glenbard West that has an extremely versatile game. The wing can score at multiple levels, but is most effective in the mid-range where he can pull up or make a quick move with a couple dribbles to get to the rim. Handles it well in the open floor. I am a huge fan of his passing. We saw it during the high school season and on the circuit. Rebounds well for his position. Struggled some in July, but played very well in the spring.
Perry Cowan (DePaul Prep)
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Overall Ranking: #15
Coming off a solid junior campaign at DePaul Prep, July was a huge month for Cowan with a lot of coaches in the stands to show what he could do. What I liked about his game was how well he did the little things. Had a few aggressive takes, made sound passes, hit a corner threes, got on the glass for a put backs. Did a little bit of everything and didn’t settle. High activity level.
Tujautae Williams (Orr)
Travel Team: Chicago Demons
Overall Ranking: #16
The 6’6” wing from Orr was a role player last year for the Spartans, but his upside was obvious. Length, athleticism, and potential skill. Athleticism and burst off the bounce getting to the rim and out in transition is his strength. Made a couple nice passes during July with the Demons. Jump shot consistency is going to be a question he will have to answer for college coaches.
Bryant Brown (Waukegan)
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Overall Ranking: #17
Bryant is a highly productive 6’6” forward that had a stat sheet stuffing junior campaign. Was impressed with how he shot the ball from the perimeter in July. Seemed a lot more confident shooting it during the spring and summer. He is trending toward being a utility forward that can play and defend multiple positions along with rebounding well.
Lance Jones (Evanston)
Travel Team: Meanstreets
Overall Ranking: #20
Jones is coming off a strong junior campaign where he helped lead his team to the state’s final four in 4A. The athletic guard can really score the basketball from multiple levels and even displayed some combo guard skills as the season progressed. Showed flashes early in the spring, but struggled with injuries throughout the summer.
Anthony Fairlee (Springfield Southeast)
Travel Team: Mac Irvin Fire
Overall Ranking: #22
The strong and freaky athletic 6’3” shooting guard plays above the rim and has the potential to be a game changer on the defensive end. Rebounds well for his position. Fairlee led his team to a state runner up finish in 3A as a junior. Struggled getting consistent playing time and finding his role with the Fire.
Antonio Reeves (Simeon)
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
Overall Ranking: #23
Reeves is coming back to Illinois after playing last high school season in Arizona where he helped his team win a state championship. Since he was last playing in Illinois he has grown considerably height wise and his overall game has improved. Still what he does best is a plus perimeter shooter from three.
Ryland Holt (Gibson City)
Travel Team: Illinois Irish
Overall Ranking: #25
What makes Holt so intriguing is his combination of length, athleticism, and versatility. His jump shot has also really improved and is now the strength of his game. Sound shooter from both pulling up from mid-range and shooting off the catch from three. Did a nice job high pointing rebounds in traffic. Huge July stock riser!
Martin Macenis (Willowbrook)
Travel Team: ET21 Buckeyes
Overall Ranking: #27
Macenis is transferring next high school season from Stagg to Willowbrook. He is a big small forward at about 6’6” that has a European feel to his game. At his best when he is passing with flair and creating shots for others. Feathery jumper stretches out to beyond the arc. Elevation off the floor with a high release point.
Deng Reng (Wheaton North)
Travel Team: ET21 Buckeyes
Overall Ranking: #28
Reng is a rangy wing from Wheaton North that can even play some small ball four at the next level. Super long and rangy prospect that has a lot of developmental upside. When he gets in a roll he is an impressive shooter from mid-range that can stretch it out to three on occasion. A bit of a streaky shooter, but shoots it very clean mechainically. Long strides. Smooth going coast to coast Defensive potential. Needs to add strength.
LJ Johnson (Kenwood)
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
Overall Ranking: #30
Johnson is returning to Chicago after spending his sophomore season out of state. The strong and athletic wing is incredibly tough. He plays with an all-out motor on both ends of the floor. Offensively he is best getting downhill and attacking the hoop where he finishes with his strength through contact. Finishes very well at the rim. Defensively he gets after it with his tenacity and anticipation. One area that I saw growth since we last saw him was his passing. Love his competitiveness and heart that he brings to the table.