Hard Work Region Finals: Stock Risers
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In the final tournament of the season on the PrepHoops Circuit there were quite a few Illinois prospects that took their games to another level. Here are some of those players in Hard Work Region Finals: Stock Risers! RJ…
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Continue ReadingIn the final tournament of the season on the PrepHoops Circuit there were quite a few Illinois prospects that took their games to another level. Here are some of those players in Hard Work Region Finals: Stock Risers!
RJ Walker (Capital City Teamwork 16U)
Walker has been a prospect known to central Illinois basketball fans for a while with his strong first two season for Decatur Eisenhower. He played well on a big stage over the weekend for Capital City Teamwork. Scoring point guard that has range on his shot, gets out in transition, and is active getting in passing lanes.
Malachi Key (QC Ballers 17U)
Key is an interesting prospect. Angular power forward that flashes upside. The Rock Island four man proved he could stretch the floor and when engaged is a quality rebounder. Will be interesting to watch his development this season.
Luke Moustakas (Chicago Lockdown 17U)
This Brother Rice power forward is trending as one of the better posts in the 2021 class. Face up four that stretches the floor with his shooting. Opened Lockdown’s game with three of them in a 22 point outing. Improving his athleticism as he scored several times in transition and rebounded well in traffic.
Christian Shumate (Young & Reckless 17U)
Shumate was a consistent performer for Y&R throughout the weekend. The bouncy combo forward from Plainfield East used his athleticism to slash to the hoop, rim ran in transition, and used his athleticism on the glass to get second chance points.
Moory Woods (Gateway Illinois 17U)
This Alton shooting guard has had a strong last couple months and that continued in Minnesota. Woods went for 17 points in their opener. High energy wing that finished acrobatic layups, got on the glass, and hit a couple threes. Primed to take over as the go to guy for Alton.
Cawhan Smith (Gateway Illinois 17U)
Smith is a pesky defender that pushes with speed. His jumper has become a more reliable weapon which has made him a more difficult cover. Stopped and popped from mid-range on quite a few occasions.
Jabari Chiphe (Young & Reckless 17U)
Chiphe had an excellent outing against Gateway recording 22 points in a win. Athletic two guard that has potential as a shooter especially in that 15-18 feet range. Could emerge as a late steal prospect with a big senior season at Walter Payton.
Christian Czerniak (All-In Athletics 17U)
Creative passer that has a flair for the game. All weekend he did a nice job of getting others involved with his distribution skills. Also a sound jump shooter that knocked them down from three.
Armond Williams (Southwest Jets 17U)
Long and angular post that continues to see his stock rise. His defensive skills as a rim protector and being able to switch will be very coveted at the next level. Offensively he is a rim runner in the open floor and flashes post moves. Once he adds strength he could be a very good value for the school that adds him.
Andrew Johnson (Illinois T-Wolves 16U)
Johnson is a scoring wing that does it in a variety of ways. Quick moves off the dribble where he draws contact. Likes to attack on the baseline. Active rebounder.
Quani Rudd (Southwest Jets 16U)
The southern Illinois prospect from Mt. Vernon High School is primed for a breakout season. He has freakish athleticism and the skill is starting to come along. Explosive slasher with the ball in his hands. High-points rebounds in traffic. Finishes well in the pick and roll. Defensively he was a beast swatting shots and defending on the perimeter.
Jamarkus Gary (Southwest Jets 16U)
Another Alton prospect to track going forward is Gary who was the go to guy for the Southwest Jets Blue squad. Got to the foul line at a high rate and scored in the paint with regularity.
Trent Howland (Young & Reckless 16U)
Howland is a tough and gritty glue guy that showed there is more to his game in Minnesota. The Joliet West wing went for 20 points against Team MORE on Saturday. He has a physical body at the small forward spot and loves to use runners in the lane. Can hit a three every now and then. Uses his physicality on the defensive end and glass.
Chase Monkemeyer (IBA Mann 17U)
Monkemeyer shined for IBA over the weekend with his three point shooting. Moves well without the basketball and has a crisp and concise three point shot. Mixes in slashes every now and then.
Billy Durkin (ET21 Buckeyes 17U)
Durkin is a high-motor wing that plays with reckless abandon. Durkin has a nose for the basketball. Plus three point shooter that also crashes the glass for second chance points.
Hamahrie Bowers (The Work Foundation 16U)
Bowers is one of the more intriguing prospects on this list. The Hillcrest 2021 small forward has a long and angular frame. Multi positional defender checking spots across the board using his length to get in passing lanes. Offensively he has a burst off the bounce getting to the rim. Plays well as a transition finisher.
Aaron McQueen (Illinois Jaguars 16U)
This Lane Tech power forward showed well during the camp on Thursday and then again with his Illinois Jaguars team in the tournament. Tough and rugged power forward that is a junk yard dog. He gets the most out of his ability as a gritty rebounder and scorer. Spin moves on the block and scores from 10 feet in.
Julius Rollins (Young & Reckless 16U)
Rollins was pretty good over the three days. Long and angular combo forward from Hillcrest who is intriguing to D1 schools. Runs the floor, rebounds, defends the 2-4 spots, and can hit an occasional jumper. If that shot becomes more consistent this athletic forward could see his recruitment take off!