Top 250: Scott’s Afternoon Standouts
The PrepHoopsIllinois Top 250 Camp had the best field of talent the camp has ever seen. We will have tons of coverage and in-depth scouting over the next week. With a loaded field of prospects it is hard to narrow it down to just a few standouts. Here are Scott’s Afternoon Session Standouts from Saturday!
SG Brandon Weston (Lake Forest Academy – 2021)
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.
PF Grant Newell (Whitney Young – 2021)
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 – 2021)
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.
SG Jaylin Gibson (Evanston – 2021)
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 Kimahri Wilson (Carmel – 2021)
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 – 2021)
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 – 2021)
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!
C Brian Mathews (DePaul Prep – 2021)
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.
SG Tommie Williams (Belleville West – 2021)
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.
SF Troy D’Amico (Niles Notre Dame – 2021)
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.
PG Kendall Martin (Hinsdale South – 2021)
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.
SF Timaris Brown (St. Patrick’s – 2022)
Brown is the lone incoming freshman on this list. He was probably the best 2022 prospect that we saw at the camp. The St. Patrick’s wing has size on the perimeter at 6’4”. The lefty was bombing in threes from really deep. Had an effortless feel to his game. He is still really young, but there is a lot to like with the size, projectability, and skill set early in the process.