Illinois Wolves vs La Lumiere Scrimmage Evaluations
On Sunday the Illinois Wolves grassroots program scrimmaged against Indiana prep powerhouse La Lumiere. PrepHoops was in the house for the event. Here are our evaluations from the scrimmages.
Illinois Wolves 2019
F Kendrick Tchoua (Benet)
This Benet transfer moved in from the east coast for his senior year and this was our first chance to see him play. He is JACKED! Built like a college defensive lineman. At about 6’6” he probably projects best as an undersized four man that plays with a high motor. You could see the athleticism with a couple moves including a quick baseline take where he ended up at the charity stripe. Connected on a turnaround jumper and another from mid-range. Looks to have potential in that area. Fought on the glass. Struggled with some turnovers. One we will definitely track during the season.
Illinois Wolves 2020
PG Reggie Strong (St. Joseph’s)
This was the first time we had seen this top 10 prospect with the Illinois Wolves. The St. Joe’s lead guard looked very comfortable with his new teammates. He was outstanding shooting the ball with his quick flick of the wrist jumper from 15-18 feet. Moved the ball and got others involved in the half court with several bullet passes. Works well in the pick and roll.
PG Donovan Newby (Bloom)
Solid day for Newby. The junior is a tough and hard-nosed floor general that pushes in transition. Connected on a runner in the lane. His best drive came when he blew by his man, shielded the ball from his defender, and made a tough layup.
PF Frank Jakubicek (Cary Grove)
Face up four man that hit the glass. Got a couple offensive rebound put backs. Pick and pop potential as a shooter.
SG Zach Gibson (Romeoville)
Gibson came on strong at the end of the scrimmage. The junior is a strong bodied wing that can attack off the bounce with strength. Threaded the needle on a sweet pass in transition.
Illinois Wolves 2021
C Chris Hodges (Schaumburg)
Hodges is the top post prospect in the state of Illinois in the 2021 class. Good size, strength, and has seemed to have slimmed down some since we last saw him in July. Got on the boards for a couple put backs. Worked well from the high-post area taking his man off the dribble a couple times from there including one where he shot faked, drove, and finished with a nifty layup. At times struggled a bit against the La Lu bigs, but overall it was a good day.
SF Bryce Hopkins (Fenwick)
Hopkins was probably the most impressive of the Wolves 2021 studs on the day. Combo forward that is becoming much more comfortable on the perimeter. He has also trimmed down some of the baby fat he had during the summer. Looked explosive off the bounce getting by his opponents throughout the day. Used combination moves on several of those drives. Solid defender both on the perimeter and in the post.
SG Isaiah Barnes (OPRF)
Bit of a quiet day for the state’s #6 prospect. Love his projectability and upside though. Smooth wing with size and length at 6’6”. He didn’t have a ton of opportunities off the catch like he usually does. Created a couple buckets on runners.
SG Max Christie (Rolling Meadows)
It wasn’t the best showing from the top prospect in the state. Christie is a 6’5” two guard with excellent size and feel for the game. Drilled a wing three late in the scrimmage, but overall really struggled shooting it. Could never get in a rhythm. Few nice drives, but didn’t convert through traffic. Once he adds strength as his career goes on it will be easier for him to finish these. Still love his upside as a high-major prospect.
Illinois Wolves 2022
PF Kyle Thomas (St. Joseph’s)
We caught our first glimpse at this talented 6’7” power forward. There has been some buzz about his game coming into high school. First thing that stands out is he has a projectable frame. Broad shoulders and a frame that should easily be able to carry 25-30 more pounds as time goes on. Coordination is still a work in progress, but he did show off potential including a baseline take for a dunk. Moves his feet pretty well. Like his potential as a shot blocker down the line. Still early, but a big man to monitor.
SG Jaden Schutt (Yorkville)
The Yorkville 2022 two guard is a player that posted monster numbers in grammar school. Played up some with the Illinois Wolves last summer. What you have to like about him is his shooting and feel for the game. Very clean shot mechanically pulling up and off the bounce. Consistent mechanics every time he let it fly. Connected on multiple off the catch. Moves without the ball to get open. Good athlete. Smart basketball player.
PG Donovan Jones (Solario)
This point guard is a quick twitched athlete that proved to have a nice pull up game. Speed in the open floor.
La Lumiere
SF Gerald Drumgoole (2019)
The most impressive La Lumiere prospect that played was this wing. The 6’6” small forward has great size for position and strength on the perimeter. He showed well as an explosive wing that could get downhill with power. Consistently got in the lane for tough scores through contact. Shot faked his opponents a few time before he drove around them. Decent passer especially finding his big man in the high/low. Capable shooter although he was mostly a slasher. Defensively I like his upside with his length and athleticism. Even blocked a couple shots.
SG Paxson Wojcik (2019)
This Loyola commit was going against his travel team program that he runs with during the summer. Wojcik is a skilled two guard that can flat out shoot the basketball. Big time shot off the catch. Crafty wing that plays with pace. Slick passer. What I came away most impressed with however was how well he defended Christie. He was all over him throughout the scrimmage putting pressure on him. Best I have seen him defend.
C Jakov Kukic (2019)
With Isaiah Stewart and Keion Brooks out with minor injuries this UC-Santa Barbara big man commit showed well. At 6’10” he has legit size. Proved to be a quality post defender with his positioning and shot blocking ability. Not the greatest athlete, but he did run the floor well and had a dunk off a high/low dish. Touch around the hoop and hit a fade away jumper.
PG Desmond Polk (2020)
Polk is a long and rangy junior guard that played well with Phenom University over the summer. Projectable combo that has a feel for the game. He drilled a few pull ups and also threw down a couple monster slams including one off an out of bounds alley-oop pass.
PG Wendell Green (2020)
Green is a 5’10” point guard out of Michigan. The junior is more of a score first point guard. Liked to shoot it pulling up from 15-18 feet. Best working off the bounce to get in the lane where he can set up his shot. Couple shifty drives. Crisp handles. Would like to see him improve as a passer.
SG Kamari Lands (2022)
Lands is a rangy wing that can play and defend multiple positions. Runs the floor with fluidity. Flies in for rebounds. Jumper showed well including a wing three and one dribble pull up. Ton of upside out of this freshman.