Top 250 Camp: 2021 Evals Pt 2
The PrepHoopsIllinois Top 250 Camp was this past weekend in Deerfield, Illinois. It was the best group of prospect in recent memory at all ages! Here is Part 2 of our evaluations of the Class of 2021!
SF Troy D’Amico (Niles Notre Dame)
The single best performance of the day was this Niles Notre Dame small forward in one game with four top 15 players on the floor. He was dominant going for probably over 30 points. D’Amico has size on the perimeter with a very skilled offensive game. That was on full display as he scored with crafty drives, pull up jumpers, post ups, threes, transition finishes. Pretty much whatever he wanted in that game he got! Handled it well in the open floor also displaying his advanced IQ and passing feel. Got on the offensive glass for a few put backs. Athleticism continues to improve at 6’6”. One of the best forwards in the state.
SG Tommie Williams (Belleville West)
Williams has only played two high school basketball games after transferring from St. Louis his freshman season. This year he will be a key role player for the defending state champs. Once EJ Liddell graduates he will be the guy at Belleville West! The 6’2” two guard plays bigger than his size with his combination of strength and athleticism. Attacks the hoop with force and skill. Crisp ball handler that finishes well in the paint and has a smooth looking jumper. Crashes the glass well from his guard spot for second chance points.
C Luke Braman (Roanoke Benson)
We had previously seen this central Illinois 6’8” big man, but for most he is still a mystery. Country strong post that is a willing screener and a very good area rebounder. Can step out on occasion to connect on a mid-range jumper.
SF Odin Lium (Oswego East)
As if Oswego East needed more weapons Lium will provide some quality minutes as an underclassmen. Stands out with his size at 6’4” and ability to rebound the basketball. Crashes the glass hard. Mobile athlete that can finish in the open floor.
PG Parker Higginbottom (St. Ignatius)
Higginbottom is the younger brother of current Wisconsin walk-on Carter Higginbottom. Definitely saw some growth out of the 5’9” point guard with his play at Top 250. Better shooter than his brother was at the same stage. Connected at a solid clip on mid-range shots. Also got a couple tough layups. Crafty guard with a high IQ.
SG Josh Uju (Plainfield East)
This 6’1” shooting guard is a long and lanky guard that plays bigger than his height with his long arms. Clean looking shot from the perimeter as he drilled a couple threes.
PF Logan Talmage (Evanston)
The Evanston power forward stands at 6’5”. Good scorer on the block with crafty moves in the paint. Not overly athletic. Quality screener.
PG Jake Dimovski (Downers Grove South)
The 5’9” point guard stood out with his shooting. Loves catch and shoot opportunities from beyond the arc.
G Mentor Ballazhi (Eisenhower)
Ballazhi is a guard that has nice strength. He was ok pushing the ball and was a nice free throw shooter. Shooting could improve from deep as he shot a couple air balls when I saw him. For his size and strength he could contribute more from his guard position as a rebounder.
SG Jaiden Lee (Joliet West)
Lee is one of the more intriguing two guards in the 2021 class. The top 20 prospect is such a good perimeter shooter. It looks like it is going to go in every time even when it doesn’t.
SF Amar Augillard (Zion Benton)
Augillard is one of the tougher evals in this class. At 6’5” he has superior strength against players his own age. Such a powerful slasher that mauls opponents on the offensive glass. Finishes in transition and can hit a mid-range jumper as well.
PG Christian Armstrong (Fremd)
Tiny 5’7” point guard that lived in the lane and converted some acrobatic buckets.
PG Ja’Markus Gary (Alton)
Gary is a point guard from Alton that has a thick build. Potential as a defender.
C Brian Mathews (DePaul Prep)
Mathews might be the least talked about big man in this class that has a chance to be a D1 player. He has consistently improved every time we have seen him. At 6’8” he has quality size already heading into his sophomore season. Strong body as he has added strength over the last year. He is a quality area rebounder that snatches them with his long arms. Scores several buckets a game on offensive rebound put backs. Soft hands around the hoop catching quick passes which he finishes. Can block a shot on occasion. A lot of skill potential here. Next step will be improving his all-around athleticism.
PF Caden Connolly (St. Patrick’s)
Thick bodied four man that can play some as an undersized five. Good area rebounder. Coast to coast take that he finished surprised us a little bit.
PG Julio Montes (Lincoln Park)
We came away very impressed with this 5’9” point guard. He is quick with the basketball. Shot the ball extremely well from both mid-range and three. Excellent form on his pull up shot.
PG Brandon Hall (Thornton)
The first aspect that jumps out at you with Hall is his size at 6’4”. The combo guard attacks downhill with authority being able to finish with difficult layups as well as dropping in runners with regularity. When he gets his shoulders turned he is one of the most difficult covers in the class.
PF Jarrett Strate-Lutzow (Hononegah)
Like what this 6’6” power forward brought to the table as a prospect. The post was a quality area rebounder that competed on the glass. Gritty big man that scored on a couple strong moves in the lane.
SG Jacob Harris (Mt. Carmel)
Harris is a 6’4” wing with size and a thick build. He might not have the most projectable look, but this kid plays hard and goes after it. Hit a three in one of the games we evaluated.
PG Kendall Martin (Hinsdale South)
Martin can’t be more than 5’4”, but this compact guard was dynamic with the rock in his hands. Thicker guard that had speed getting up and down the floor and was in complete control of the game. Pass first point guard that made several spectacular dishes.
SG Brennan Syas (Southland College Prep)
Strong and physical 6’2” lefty guard that shined when we saw him with Team RWA in July. Rebounds well for his position. Best finishing in the paint!