Chicago Elite Classic: 2021 & 2022 Illinois Evals
The Chicago Elite Classic was this past weekend. This great event featured eight games filled with high level prospects on Saturday. PrepHoops dives into our prospect evaluations on the event. Here are our 2021 and 2022 Illinois Evaluations!
Class of 2021
PG Landon Moore (Bloomington)
Have a day Landon Moore! The Bloomington point guard was a role player over the summer for the Illinois Wolves, but stepped up into a starring role at the CEC. He was lights out from three shooting the ball going 5-8 from deep. Shot it with a ton of confidence stepping into his shot each time like it was going in. His game will need to continue to round out passing and scoring off the bounce, but it was quite a performance from the young central Illinois guard. Went for 19 points on the day.
SG Demarco Clayton (Bloomington)
This 6’4” two guard showed some flashes in limited minutes. Drilled a corner three and got on the offensive glass for a put back. Scored 5 points on 2-2 from the field. One to continue to monitor long term.
SG Jaylin Gibson (Evanston)
Overall it was a bit of a quiet game for the top 20 sophomore, but he definitely did do some nice things. He didn’t force his offense taking his opportunities and capitalizing on them. Scored on a drive in transition as well as a dump off pass finish. Took a charge on the defensive end. Rebounded very well. Gibson had 7 points (2-2 FG), 7 rebounds, and 2 steals.
SG Blake Peters (Evanston)
Peters is a sharp shooting two guard that didn’t do what he is best at on Saturday as he struggled going 0-4 from beyond the arc. Contributed in other areas though. Was very good crashing the glass with reckless abandon. Scored on a back cut. Got a steal and converted a difficult layup. Another nifty behind the back layup. Showed more to his game going for 8 points and 6 boards.
PG Isaiah Holden (Evanston)
Add this sophomore to the list of young prospects to track for Evanston. This point guard had a sweet coast to coast finish and also went 2-3 from beyond the arc. He scored 8 points.
SF Louis Lesmond (Evanston)
Lesmond is a 6’5” small forward from Evanston that just moved to America from France. He has excellent positional size with good length. Will need to continue to add strength. We have been told he is a shooter and although he missed both threes he took you can tell he shoots a good ball from deep. Sound passer that made a couple crisp dishes that led to points. Skilled wing with upside. He had 0 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.
PG Darrion Jones (Bogan)
Jones is a young point guard that put himself on our radar with his play at the event. Strong combo that made solid decisions coming off the bench for Bogan. Was also active as a defender. He had 6 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals.
PG Boopie Miller (Morgan Park)
The small Morgan Park point guard came off the bench playing 18 minutes. Pushes the tempo in the open floor. Converted a sweet scoop shot. Went 1-4 from three point range. He had 5 points on the night.
PF Grant Newell (Whitney Young)
Newell is a top 10 prospect in the 2021 class with the way he played on the circuit and in camp settings during the fall. He never looked quite comfortable in this game. He got the start, but only recorded one field goal attempt in nine minutes of action. We are still huge fans of his potential as a new age face up four.
SG Ahamad Bynum (Simeon)
Bynum is a powerful scoring shooting guard that opened on fire from beyond the arc. It was Bynum drilling three early pull up jumpers from deep that got Simeon going. He is a volume scorer that went for 18 points on 5-14 from the field. Struggled shooting from three after that early run. As the game went on he was at his best getting to the charity stripe where he hit 5-7. Bynum has a very bright future!
Class of 2022
C AJ Casey (Simeon)
The top incoming freshman in the state made his debut at the Chicago Elite Classic. This 6’8” post is a mobile five that has an insanely bright future. Casey played 14 minutes where he recorded 3 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Mobile defender that has a chance to be a big time defender.
G Jaylen Drane (Simeon)
Drane is a combo guard that has big time upside. This was also his debut on the high school level. Athletic slashing guard that got to the line where he shot 2-4 finishing with 2 points.