Top 250 : Derrick’s Dimes 2020 Forward/Center Standouts
Deerfield, Il — Prep Hoops Network and Prep Hoops Illinois hosted their annual Top 250 Expo at Joy of the Game in Deerfield, Il on September 15th, and I was on hand for the morning 2019/2020 session. It was a great event with lots of talent and one of the better expos we have had. Here I take a look at some of the Top Standouts from the 2020 class that are Forward/Centers.
2020 Forward/Center Standouts
6’8’’ PF Ryan Isaacson (Hinsdale Central)
Isaacson impressed at the Top 250 Expo with his ability to stretch the floor from the post. He is a long lanky forward who moves well and has a good feel for the game. Showed potential to be a rim protector, by blocking shots and being a presence in the paint. I liked his game with his back to the basket and he showed nice footwork and post moves for scores in the games I scouted him in. Played with a good motor, rebounded at a nice rate and did not force anything.
6’5’’ SF Christian Shumate – (Plainfield East)
Shumate was one of the top athletes at the camp and started off the day really strong with his ability to get up and down the court. He can handle it out on the wing and battled down low for rebounds when he was forced to guard the post due to matchups. Shumate gets off the floor quick and is super bouncy. He had several big time dunks on in transition. I like the potential of Shumate to be a 3 and D type wing at the next level if he continues to improve his perimeter game on offense. Really impressed with the energy he brought on defense. Will be a player to keep an eye on out at Plainfield East.
6’6’’ SF Jayden Johnson – (Batavia)
Jayden Johnson out of Batavia is a productive wing who can score in a variety of way and has a really nice offensive game. Johnson got it going in the second game I scouted in him. He was able to use his body well to finish around the rim on dribble drives and also on the break. He would later heat up from deep hitting a couple three’s showing he can score from all levels. Johnson can play on the wing and guard multiple positions.
6’8’’ PF/C Devon House – (Newman)
Devon House was a absolute force in the paint. The big man showed off quick feet and footwork in the paint and solid post moves to go along with a soft touch around the rim. Once he caught the ball down low in position he was an instant bucket. To go along with his back to the basket game, House showed good feel passing out of the double and even dishing it out to teammates from the perimeter. In another game I scouted House in he showed he can step out and hit from deep as he hit a nice three. House is one of the top post players in the 2020 class and will be a player to keep track of.
6’9’’ F Seryee Lewis – (Kenwood)
Lewis who holds several Division 1 offers showed why so many school are after the explosive Forward out of Kenwood. At 6’9’’ Lewis has good size and moves really well. A good athlete Lewis is a powerful shot blocker and rim protector. He had several big time blocks in the game I scouted as well as some monster dunks. I was impressed by his soft touch around the rim and his motor on defense. He showed he can put it on the floor for scores and as that area of his game improves the sky’s the limit for Lewis. Look for him to have a big year out at Kenwood.
6’10 F Yves Nkobma – (La Salette Academy)
Yves Nkobma is a under the radar prospect but is a sleeper with potential and at 6’10” and the ability to run the floor and protect the rim he is a prospect to keep an eye on. Matched up against Seryee Lewis in the game I scouted him in he did a good job on defense and used his length to grab rebounds. Offensively he still need works and still have time to improve but he certainly can make a name for himself on the defensive end.