Top Illinois 2021 Post Prospects
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We close out our detailed look at the Illinois 2021 class with the best post prospects in the state! Chris Hodges (Schaumburg) Current Ranking: #5 Travel Team: Illinois Wolves Hodges is the top big man in Illinois at this…
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Continue ReadingWe close out our detailed look at the Illinois 2021 class with the best post prospects in the state!
Chris Hodges (Schaumburg)
Current Ranking: #5
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Hodges is the top big man in Illinois at this stage. He is a throwback back to the basket post that understands angles and uses the glass to bank it in. Physical big man that can go through his man when needed. Shows advanced footwork along with a lethal hook shot that he goes to over and over again. Seals man off very well. Runs the floor beating his opponent down the court. Rebounds very well within his area.
Grant Newell (Whitney Young)
Current Ranking: #9
Travel Team: Meanstreets
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 fluid for a player his size. Shows improved footwork on the block including a nice drop step. Becoming a better rebounder.
Oliver-Maxence Prosper (Lake Forest Academy)
Current Ranking: #10
Travel Team: Brookwood Elite
Listed at 6’7” he has good strength and solid length. Mobile getting up and down the floor. Shows flashes of a face up game where he can hit a three. Touch on a mid-range and baseline jumper. Gets out in transition for rim rattling dunks. He has size, skill potential, and mobility as a combo forward.
Scotty Ebube (Mundelein)
Current Ranking: #15
Travel Team: Kessel Heat
Ebube is a beast rebounder that has timing for where they are coming off the rim and man does this kid go after them! Super aggressive mauling opponents on the offensive glass for put backs. Seals well in the high/low game. Defensive presence with his raw strength and shot blocking inside.
Chad Readey (Homewood Flossmoor)
Current Ranking: #19
Travel Team: Meanstreets
Broad shouldered four man with strength in his upper body and moves very well for his size. Plus rebounder snatching the ball out of the air. Active on the offensive glass for put backs. His skill level is very impressive. Uses hook shots with both hands. Knocks down shots in the pick and pop game. Can even put it on the deck off shot fakes. Finishes at a high clip around the hoop. Potential as an anchor on the defensive end.
Kevin Bozeman (Downers Grove North)
Current Ranking: #24
Travel Team: Breakaway
So projectable at 6’5” with long arms. Definitely could see him growing several more inches. Frame to add strength as well. He handles the ball well for his size and runs the floor so fluidly being the first one down the court consistently. Feathery touch as a shooter. Prototype four man in today’s game.
Ashawn Burbridge (Joliet West)
Current Ranking: #26
Travel Team: Illinois T-Wolves
The undersized four man is an excellent rebounder that has a feel for where it is coming off and aggressively going after it. Best scoring on offensive rebound put backs. Will need to continue to grow to be a post at the next level.
Brian Mathews (DePaul Prep)
Current Ranking: #28
Travel Team: Illinois Jaguars
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.
Walt Mattingly (Deerfield)
Current Ranking: #32
Travel Team: Fundamental U
Mattingly broke out in a major way at the Prep U Showcase in late October. The sophomore is a 6’6” transfer from out of state that displayed a lot of intriguing tools. Good size, long arms, and projectability to both add strength as well as continue to grow vertically. In the paint he displayed touch around the rim along with a strong right handed hook shot. Could face up and handle it too with several sweet takes from the high-post area. Handles very well for his size. Crashed the glass on both ends of the floor.
Luke Moustakas (Brother Rice)
Current Ranking: #34
Moustakas is a 6’5” power forward that put himself on our radar with his play at the Team Rose Shootout. Good size and strength. Clean release on his mid-range jumper and even stretched it out to three making a pair from beyond the arc. Average athlete that can rebound in his area. Face up four to track down the road.
Julian Campbell (Palatine)
Current Ranking: #38
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Campbell is a 6’6” center that is a wide bodied post. He has lost weight since we saw him in July. Despite his big body he is actually more of a perimeter based post. Campbell is an outstanding mid-range shooter that can also stretch it out to three. Fluid release on his jumper.