Pontiac: Friday Standouts
Friday was spent at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament. The state’s oldest holiday tournament is now in its 88th year. The field was loaded! Check out what prospects made the biggest statements!
SF Carter Thurman (Plainfield North – 2019)
Thurman impressed in a pair of games we saw him play. The 6’6” small forward was consistent throughout the day shooting it from beyond the arc. He connected on an array of threes mostly off the catch, but also mixed in some mid-range shots and crafty finishes in the lane as well. Skilled wing that also presents toughness. Thurman scored 18 points in their morning win.
SG Jaiden Lee (Joliet West – 2021)
Lee is one of the more projectable two guards early on in the 2021 class. Really like his length and athleticism. Plus shooter from three with a quick release. Has a chance to develop into one of the premier shooters in his class. Drilled 2-3 from beyond the arc and also showed off his burst getting to the rim for a couple slashes and runners. Lee had 15 points.
SF Tevin Smith (Danville – 2021)
The top 10 2021 prospect was good in Danville’s morning game and then took it to another level in the first half of the last game of the night. Smith is a 6’4” wing with strength and elite athleticism. We always knew this, but it was his consistent energy and motor that he brought to the table which impressed us the most. Smith was relentless attacking the hoop getting downhill with force. He used his power to finish through guys. Elite second jump allows him to be a factor on the offensive glass for second chance points. He also passed it well and defended multiple wing spots. Coming back from a hand injury so we didn’t see much of the jumper, but hit one three in the night game. During their morning game he had 19 points and 13 boards. Before we hit the road he scored an impressive 18 points in the first half of their night contest.
G Sean Houpt (Danville – 2019)
Houpt is a prospect that we have been talking about for a while and it was good to see a pair of D2 programs extend offers to him earlier in the week. This combo guard brings off the charts leadership and basketball IQ to the table. He is a sound perimeter shooter especially spotting up. Also did a nice job of using floaters over bigger opponents. He consistently got to the foul line where he was money going 10-13. Houpt had 23 points in their morning victory.
C Tommy Halatek (Lockport – 2019)
This was our first opportunity to evaluate the 6’7” center and man did he put in a workman like effort. The big bodied five man has a soft touch around the hoop and was insanely good at sealing his man off for scores. Understands how to use his body to his advantage to score in the paint. Big time area rebounder grabbing them and a high rate. This small college sleeper had 20 points and 19 rebounds.
SG Dajuan Gordon (Curie – 2019)
The future Kansas State Wildcat continues to step into his role as the man on a stacked Curie squad. The #3 senior in Illinois is a long and lanky wing that flat out gets buckets! That is what Gordon did against New Trier. He had a stretch in the game where he completely took over with his perimeter shooting drilling three after three. Also did something we have always thought he was underrated at which is flying in for offensive rebound put backs. Scored several times in transition and overall you can just see him oozing with confidence. Gordon went for 24 points (10-13 FG).
SG Antonio Reeves (Simeon – 2019)
Reeves was about as good as we have seen him on Friday. The projectable 6’4” guard was lights out shooting. He opened the game with three triples in the first couple minutes of the contest. Catch and shoot is like shooting into the ocean for him. What caught our eye was the other ways he impacted the game. Mid-range was on point. Made a few nice assists where he had sound decisions. Was active defensively. Reeves had 28 points (12-18 FG) and 5 assists.
PG Kejuan Clements (Simeon – 2019)
Clements is the heart and soul of this team. The Simeon lead guard brings toughness and leadership to the table. He had several explosive drives where he got downhill and finished at the rim. His scoop shot is becoming one of his major weapons. Clements was sound passing the rock with 6 dimes. He scored 14 points (6-14).
C Connor Linke (St. Charles North – 2020)
Linke had the game of his career in their opening round win against Danville. It wasn’t quite that dominant of an effort against Simeon, but he showed some qualities you have to like. First is his size at 6’9” 215 pounds he can be a legit five at the next level. At times he is a bit mechanical, but he displayed good footwork and touch in the paint. Also had a reverse layup off a rebound. Defensively and on the boards is probably where he is best at. Rim protector with his length. High level rebounder on both ends. He had 8 points and 14 rebounds.
C Joshua Ivory (Peoria Manual – 2020)
Ivory is a big bodied five man that plays to his strengths. He eats up space on the interior and has soft hands catching passes in traffic. Also displayed a right handed hook shot. Ivory had 12 points.
SG Caleb Donaldson (Bloomington – 2019)
Donaldson continues to see his stock elevate as the season goes along. This 6’5” two guard has good projectables and is a plus athlete. Donaldson is a slasher that when he gets going is tough to contain. Benet found that out as he threw down a pair of monster slams. When he rips and makes a decisive move he is at his best. Plays well in transition. Would like to see his shot develop more. He had 21 points on the night.
PF Kendrick Tchoua (Benet – 2019)
Tchoua is a 6’6” four man that plays with a high motor. Physical junk yard dog type of four that out works his opponents inside. Mauls on the glass and has an excellent second jump off the floor to the offensive glass. Did a nice job of finishing dump off passes inside going through his man time and time again. He needs to improve on his free throw shooting as he is a liability there right now. Tchoua finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
SG Dante Maddox (Bloom – 2020)
There is something about when I see Maddox at Pontiac he brings his A game. Did it again just like last year. The 6’3” two guard is a big time shooter from deep that can drill them equally effective off the catch or pulling up. Pure mechanics and has a knack for coming up clutch in key momentum swing times of the game. Also got to the rim including an outstanding straight line drive that he finished with his off hand. Also closed the night out with a beautiful bounce pass across the court for an open three. Maddox had 26 points.
PG Dashon Enoch (OPRF – 2019)
Enoch is an underrated guard in this senior class. He has size and strength at the lead guard spot. Can play or guard both backcourt spots at the D2 or D3 level. Showed improvement on his three point shot connecting on a trio of them. Decent passer and competes on the defensive end of the floor. He had 13 points.
PG Marquise Walker (West Aurora – 2019)
Walker played well for West Aurora. The senior is a thick bodied lead guard that hit an array of threes including three in a row at one point. Walker is usually a high volume scorer, but was more efficient in this one going for 21 points on 6-10 shooting.