Top 250 Camp: 2021 Pt 1
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 1 of our evaluations of the Class of 2021!
SG Brandon Weston (Lake Forest Academy)
The top prospect in the house probably all day was this 2021 shooting guard from Lake Forest Academy. His athleticism is off the charts with his quick twitched style of play. Made plays all day in transition playing above the rim for big slams. Just a monster scorer that can get buckets from all three levels. Explosive first step and a clean looking jumper from the perimeter. Was also impressed with how well he passed the rock. He has always been a scorer, but his drive and kick ability along with his willingness to get others involved was impressive.
PG Terrance Ford (Orr)
Ford is a tiny point guard listed at 5’8”, but this kid plays with a lot of heart and toughness. Also speed to burn! Scrappy guard that can hit a pull up jumper.
PG Ramik Spencer (Kenwood)
Point guard with decent size at a young age. Hit a couple of mid-range jumpers when we were watching.
PF Robert Roszkiewicz (Addison Trail)
This 6’6” big man from Addison Trail has a nice build and length. Showed some of his mobility off on a nice pick and roll finish.
PG Jamari Ward (Plainfield East)
Ward is a prospect that plays really hard. Defensively he uses his plus length to pressure the basketball. Quick twitched athlete that should allow him to continue to improve. Solid at getting in the lane.
PF Grant Newell (Whitney Young)
Newell has one of the highest ceilings of any prospects in this class. At 6’6” his skill set continues to improve each and every time I see him play. Long and lanky build with plus athleticism. Right now he is a face up four with the ability to play some three. He excels shooting it from mid-range with a feathery jumper that he drills from all over. Very confident shooting the basketball. Handles are very fluid for a player his size. Showed improved footwork on the block including a nice drop step. Got on the offensive glass for several put backs. Becoming a better rebounder.
SF John Poulakidas (Neuqua Valley)
Good to see Poulakidas back on the court after sitting out July with an injury. This Neuqua Valley small forward is extremely intriguing with what he brings to the table as a prospect. At 6’5” the lefty handles it extremely well. His ability to take the ball off the defensive glass and go the length of the floor for a score is extremely impressive. Rebounds well flying in for multiple offensive rebound put backs. Plus shooter from three with a clean looking stroke from deep. Such a smooth player for his size. Feel for the game.
F Trenton Askew (Lane Tech)
This Lane 2021 forward has quality size along with broad shoulders. Projectable athlete that played well in the transition game. Definitely has some upside as a developmental prospect. Runs the floor with fluidity.
PG Christopher Boberek (Lake Forest)
Boberek is a tiny point guard from Lake Forest High School. I liked how he pushed the basketball in the open floor using his speed to get down the court always having his head up. Clean looking shot mechanically.
SG Jaylin Gibson (Evanston)
Gibson scored at the rim ALL DAY LONG! Athletic wing that consistently won off the bounce and got to the room. He was very efficient on his takes scoring on a lot of tough layups. Overall he is just an athletic scorer that can get buckets from all three levels. Range on his shot out to beyond the arc as he drilled several threes too. One of the best wins in the class.
PG Christian Henry (St. Rita)
Henry is a prospect that came on strong during July where we saw him both on the circuit and in a camp. Was solid again at Top 250. At 6’1” he has good strength. That along with his quick first step allow him to win in one on one situations getting in the lane where he can score or dish. Couple nice assists in the paint. Mixed in some scoop shots and even a corner three.
SF Cameron Mallory (Lincoln Way East)
Mallory emerged on the travel team circuit with the Illinois T-Wolves last spring. Projectable wing at 6’4”. Explosive first step that covers a lot of ground with his long strides. One to watch to see how he rounds out his game this season.
SG Jadyn Benson (Mt. Carmel)
This 6’3” two guard from Mt. Carmel is definitely one to pay attention to this upcoming season. Long and lanky that flashed a perimeter jump shot stretching out to three.
G Pheonix Smith (Chicago Christian)
Smith is a guard with length from Chicago Christian that definitely showed some long term potential. Size for position. Length allows him go get steals on defense and get on the glass for put backs. Clean looking shot from three.
PG Kimahri Wilson (Carmel)
Wilson is among the best point guards in the state’s 2021 class. He is a lightning quick guard that is shifty with the rock in hands. Ball on a string. Wins off the bounce at will getting past his man with ease. Scoring point guard that is best getting in the paint for his buckets. Just so explosive with the ball in his hands pushing in the open floor as well with his speed. Jumper and overall passing feel need to improve to max out.
PG Ismail Habib (Lincoln Park)
Habib is a 5’11” point guard with some projectability where he could grow a little more. He was ultra-smooth with the rock in hands getting to the rim off the bounce. Also showed he could score from mid-range with several stop and pop mid-range pull up jumpers. More than just a scorer he worked in a few drive and kick dimes.
SG Isaiah Barnes (OPRF)
Barnes was one of the best prospects in the gym and the OPRF wing showed exactly why. At 6’6” he has tremendous size for position along with plus athleticism. He is one of the premier scorers in his class with his ability to score from all three levels with relative ease. Big time perimeter jump shooter with a feathery J from both mid-range and three. Can also score off the dribble with his long strides. Caught a huge alley-oop when we were evaluating him. Defensively love his potential!
PG Matthew Hawkins (Mt. Carmel)
Matthews is a thick guard that is a strong driver and finisher in the paint. Had one nice coast to coast drive that he completed with a finger roll.
SF Matthew Williams (Peoria Notre Dame)
This 6’4” small forward could be the next big time wing for the Illinois Irish program. Already has legit size for position. Excellent wing rebounder crashing the offensive glass with regularity for put backs. Quality athlete that can finish in transition. A lot of potential here!