Top Illinois 2021 Wings
The wings are definitely the strength of the 2021 class early in the process with nine of the top 14 prospects overall coming from the shooting guard and small forward groups. Here we breakdown the best of the best! …
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe wings are definitely the strength of the 2021 class early in the process with nine of the top 14 prospects overall coming from the shooting guard and small forward groups. Here we breakdown the best of the best!
Max Christie (Rolling Meadows)
Current Ranking: #1
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Christie is the best prospect in the state regardless of class. He has showed why this season with monster performances including going over 50 points in one game. Quality shooter from deep with great elevation off the floor being able to get his shot off with ease. Consistent mechanics both pulling up and off the catch. Slick ball handler that is slippery through traffic. Type of player that can get it off the boards, push in the open floor, and finish at the rim. Rebounds extremely well for his position. Excellent passer from his wing spot.
Bryce Hopkins (Fenwick)
Current Ranking: #2
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
Hopkins has gone from upside prospect to the man at Fenwick this season. 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. Looks explosive off the bounce getting by his opponents. Uses combination moves to win off the dribble. Solid defender both on the perimeter and in the post.
Brandon Weston (Morgan Park)
Current Ranking: #3
Travel Team: NY Rens
Weston hasn’t played that much this season as he transferred from Lake Forest Academy to Morgan Park in December. His athleticism is off the charts with his quick twitched style of play. Makes plays 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. Also impressed with how well he passes the rock at times.
Ahamad Bynum (Simeon)
Current Ranking: #4
Travel Team: Mac Irvin Fire
Bynum has struggled some with injuries throughout his sophomore campaign, but while he has been on the court both during the fall and this year he has played at a high level. He definitely is a volume scorer that will take a lot of shots. Needs to be more efficient, but when he is on Bynum can carry a team with his scoring and pull up game. Splits defenders and finishes difficult layups at the hoop.
Isaiah Barnes (OPRF)
Current Ranking: #7
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
At 6’6” Barnes 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. Defensively love his potential!
Tevin Smith (Danville)
Current Ranking: #8
Travel Team: Meanstreets
Smith was absolutely spectacular when we saw him over the holidays at Pontiac. He 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.
Troy D’Amico (Niles Notre Dame)
Current Ranking: #11
Travel Team: Meanstreets
D’Amico is a 6’6” wing from Niles Notre Dame that produces, but also has some upside to grow as a prospect. Very high skill level out of the wing hitting threes and pull up mid-range jumpers. Crafty around the hoop and is efficient with his shots. Like what he brings to the table as an outlet passer after securing rebounds. He has improved athletically as well.
John Poulakidas (Neuqua Valley)
Current Ranking: #12
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
Poulakidas has outstanding size for position along with a big time skill set. The 6’5” small forward has long arms and an angular build. Looks like he has room to grow. Poulakidas is in the process of adding strength onto his frame. He is a big time perimeter sniper with his catch and shoot shot along with just pulling up in transition. The athleticism is starting to show more. Can block a shot on occasion and is becoming more assertive on the offensive glass. Puts it on the deck and overall has a creative feel for the game.
Jaylin Gibson (Evanston)
Current Ranking: #13
Travel Team: Hoops Avenue
Athletic wing that consistently wins off the bounce and gets to the rim. He is 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. Has continued to develop as a passer and can play on the ball at times.
Jaiden Lee (Joliet West)
Current Ranking: #14
Travel Team: Illinois T-Wolves
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. Also has burst getting to the rim for slashes and runners.
Blake Peters (Evanston)
Current Ranking: #17
Travel Team: Meanstreets
Peters is an elite sniper from deep. The Evanston wing can flat out shoot the rock from beyond the arc. He moves well to get open, sets up his shot, and has a lighting quick release. Does some gritty stuff rebounding and taking charges. Decent athlete.
Tommie Williams (Belleville West)
Current Ranking: #18
Travel Team: Ramey-Jets United
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 from his guard spot for second chance points.
Amar Augillard (Zion Benton)
Current Ranking: #21
Travel Team: Meanstreets
At 6’5” he has superior strength against players his own age. Such a powerful slasher that mauls opponents on the offensive glass. Finishes in transition and can hit a mid-range jumper as well.
Khailieo Terry (Champaign Central)
Current Ranking: #22
Travel Team: Indy Heat
Terry is one of the most difficult players to gauge in this class right now. Elite level athlete that plays above the rim with thunderous slams and blocks. At 6’4” he probably isn’t going to grow much more so he will have to be a wing at the next level. Terry is not a very good shooter at this stage and needs to tighten up his handles. There is a lot of upside here and he will be a prospect we track closely over the next year.