Evan Turner Showcase: Standouts
With the start of AAU happening almost everywhere across the country. This weekend in Chicago was dedicated to some of the best unsigned seniors in the area. The Evan Turner Showcase invited over 300 of the best players still looking…
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Continue ReadingWith the start of AAU happening almost everywhere across the country. This weekend in Chicago was dedicated to some of the best unsigned seniors in the area. The Evan Turner Showcase invited over 300 of the best players still looking for schools. It attracted over 130 colleges to the event and like each year the coaches were not let down by the talent in the building. Here were some of the standout players that jumped out over the weekend in Chicago.
Keeshawn Chambers 6’6 Thornton High School
Seems like anytime you hear anything about Chambers Prep Hoops is always there! Keeshawn was terrific in both days of action. He has a 6’10 reach but is very athletic, dunking literally everything around the rim. Chambers is a for sure JUCO prospect who gained a lot of attention mostly because how hard he plays. Keeshawn was without a doubt one of the best players in the showcase.
Keenan Jones 6’5 Whitney Young
The always active forward showed his high IQ of the game and his continuous motor over the weekend. Mr. Jones did a little bit of everything on both end of the court. He was able to show his handles at times as well as his ability to score in transition. Keenan just played his heart out and many coaches noticed. Jones is a D2 program type of player. He can guard 1 through the 4 positions and still have an enormous upside to his game. He’s a qualifier and received lots of attention from many D2 and NAIA 4 years schools.
Justin Eagins 6’2 Downers Grove South
Justin was maybe the most efficient guard this weekend. He plays at good pace for any half court set. I would say Eagins is best suited for playing of the ball coming off screens and pinned downs but Justin showed at times he can be on the ball and make sound choices with it. An absolute lights out shooter from long range he and Erik Cohn were the best shooters in the gym for both days.
Isiah Burd 6’2 Bolingbrook
Burd was able to show what many coaches didn’t see during the high school season because log jam of high quality guards at Bolingbrook. He’s was very smooth and precise during games. At times he would go on mini scoring runs most of the time using his ability to get to the basket no matter who was guarding him. Burd didn’t take a lot of perimeter shoots but I’m positive I saw him make one three. Isiah can be a steal for any small school who takes a chance on him.
Latik Murphy 6’4 Morton High school
Murphy was a prolific scorer during his tenure at Morton. On Sunday it was no different as he has a good frame on him that he creates problems for those who tried to body him during games. Murphy is a superb athlete that has improved his ball handling a lot. Latik was best off missed shots as he would snatch rebounds and push it on the fast break. Most often his team scored because he made the right play. Murphy should be a good targeted by many JUCO programs.
Joseph Doyle 6’9 Corliss
“Big Joe” was without a doubt the tallest player in the Evan Turner Showcase. He’s still a relative unknown to most in Chicago but he has the one thing you can’t teach and that’s size. Doyle is still raw scoring in the post but he possesses big hands and length that changes almost every shot in his area and rebounds with anyone around him. Joseph isn’t your typical thin big man. He has some weight on him and can get up and down the court with it. Joe is a qualifier but could benefit more from playing and learning more at the JUCO level. Could end up a possible division 1 player if he does so.
Drake Montgomery 6’1 South Elgin
Montgomery had it rolling on Sunday until an injury sidelined him the rest of the day. During his time on the court Drake was an effective lead guard who isn’t very fast but shifty and can make shots as well as create for others around him. Drake made 4 threes in his second game and dished out several assist before coming down on someone’s foot while challenging for a rebound. Montgomery is still young for his age and might take a chance at going the prep route, but NAIA schools and even D2 schools should pay attention to Drake.
Gavin Alston 6’4 Chicago Dunbar
Alston opened my eyes on both days. He was very active on defense playing the passing lanes well when opposite of guards and showed how high he could sky a couple of times with some amazing help side blocks. Gavin didn’t stop on defense though he showed he has nice touch around the rim with some crafty finishes. Alston also knocked down a couple of threes over the weekend. Most coaches were impressed with how well Gavin competed and is sure to be contacted by coaches. Alston is a for sure JUCO target that will be very good at the next level.
Nuri Knighten 6’5 Kenwood
Knighten opened some eyes with his work effort on the boards. He’s an undersized big man that competes hard. Nuri has a quick second jump which really got the attention of most coaches. He would miss his first attempt and go right back up to finish it off on his second try. Nuri had one possession on Sunday when he literally got his rebound 6 times on the same possession. Knighten is a JUCO prospect that can develop into a wing once ready for a 4 year school.
Dylan West 6’7 Hilcrest
The big man from Hilcrest is just money when he has the ball around the rim. Dylan does two things just as good as anyone in the state. He rebounds the ball in and out of his area and he scores whenever he gets the ball by the rim. Sunday was no different! He punished guys for not boxing him out. Dylan is a solid D2 choice with a chance to still land at a low major school on the D1 level.
Erik Cohn 6’3 York
Cohn was lights out on both days. It seems like every time you looked up he was able to free himself up for an open three. Erik is very savvy off the basketball and shows the type of toughness on the defensive side that most coaches loved. Erik can become a better ball handler for the next level, but he’s an absolute knock down shooter. D3 and NAIA programs should reach out to him right away.