20 2023’s To Track This Season
THIS IS NOT A RANKING! Glad we got that out of the way. These are 20 freshman prospects that we have seen in person and been impressed by early in the process. They have a chance to be legit college…
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Continue ReadingTHIS IS NOT A RANKING! Glad we got that out of the way. These are 20 freshman prospects that we have seen in person and been impressed by early in the process. They have a chance to be legit college prospects down the line. Yes, I know there are players not on here that will be among the best prospects in the state, but we haven’t seen them yet with our own eyes. It is insanely early in the process and you can’t do a legitimate ranking at this point. This is a look at some of the 2023 players to follow during their freshman seasons. Once again THIS IS NOT A RANKING! Players are listed by position alphabetically. Here are 20 2023s to Track!
Point Guards
Darrin Ames (Morgan Park)
Ames is a volume scoring point guard with his lefty three point shot. Good mechanics from three and could be the next high scoring Mustangs guard!
Dalen Davis (Whitney Young)
What you have to like about Davis is his advanced basketball IQ and feel for the game. Gets to the rim with his quickness off the bounce and is a pesky on ball defender that gets after it creating turnovers!
Jeremy Fears (Joliet West)
Fears is a force on the defensive end of the floor. Puts a ton pressure at the point of attack using his quick hands to get steals. Shows a natural feel for the game at a young age.
Jalen Griffith (Simeon)
He is a smaller point guard listed at 5’9” with elite ball handling ability having shifty moves and speed coming off the pick and roll. Crafty layups shielding the ball from defenders and is a solid passer.
Tevonta Jackson (Springfield Lanphier)
The next standout Lanphier prospect is this 6’1” point guard. He is a high level passer that plays with speed, athleticism around the hoop, and is a capable shooter.
Marcus Pigram (Whitney Young)
This Dolphins point guard has good length and plays bigger than his height because of that. Gets out in transition for scores and is a high level passer in traffic! Has a projectable frame and can knock down shots. Finishes in transition.
Sonny Williams (Niles Notre Dame)
Lead guard from Notre Dame has good size and athleticism. Rebounds well from his guard spot. Gets after it defensively snatching steals. He pushes the tempo in the open floor and is a solid pull up shooter.
Wings
Darrion Baker (St. Rita)
Excellent size already at 6’6” with a big frame and plus athleticism. Attacks downhill with force. Capable three point shooter. Potential to be a two way standout down the line.
Cam Christie (Rolling Meadows)
The younger brother of the state’s top junior has a long and rangy frame like his brother and flashed potential when we saw him in June with Rolling Meadows.
Ethan Kizer (Metamora)
There have been several Kizers from central Illinois over the last few years, but this one could have the highest ceiling. The long haired blonde wing is known for his unique look and elite level of athleticism shown off on his dunks.
Sam Lewis (OPRF)
This small forward has an extremely projectable game. Love what he brings to the table defensively getting in passing lanes where he stealing the ball and going the other way. Tons of upside as a two way player.
Jordan Pickett (Belleville East)
The younger brother of Mizzou star Javon Pickett has next in the metro east. Broad shoulders and long arms. Should continue to grow. Silky smooth driver and ball handler that has a burst on his first step getting to the cup.
Khalil Ross (Lincoln Way East)
Ross is a rangy left handed wing that has super long length and is a pogo stick of an athlete. Absolutely love his upside as a prospect! He has a chance to be one of the top wings in this class if he continues to develop. Sound mid-range shooter and can hit from three.
Posts
Keon Alexander (Bolingbrook)
The 6’5” 2023 prospect is a long and lanky lefty that is super bouncy. Great mobility and fluid moves with the ball. One to watch going forward at Bolingbrook!
Matas Buzelis (Hinsdale Central)
Lengthy frame at 6’5” with the ability to continue to grow. He is really thin and will definitely need to add strength moving forward. Stretches the floor with his shooting, but there was more to his game. Gets on the glass with his second jump and puts it on the deck with straight line drives.
Aries Hull (Home School)
Legit size at 6’7” with a physical body. He rebounds very well in the paint using his strength and size to position himself for boards. Moves very well for his size. Major shot blocking presence on the defensive end.
Jackson Kotecki (St. Ignatius)
This 6’6” physical Catholic League post rebounds very well in his area with his strength and runs the floor. Even stretches the court a little with his shooting at times.
Davius Loury (Simeon)
Well-built 6’5” power forward that has a physical upper body at a young age. Active rebounder that snatches them in traffic. He has a little bit of handles and creativity to his game for a big guy.
Javonte Taylor (Morgan Park)
Taylor is the clear top prospect in the class heading into the season. At 6’7” as a face up four man with only a couple years of basketball experience he has so much upside. Plus athlete that can handle, shoot, and finish around the hoop. Younger brother of former Simeon standout Steve Taylor.
Donaven Younger (Bolingbrook)
After seeing Younger at Pangos he might be the most intriguing long term play after Taylor. Younger is a rangy 6’7” left handed four man that is excellent in transition. He runs the floor with the fluidity of a guard. He also can handle it in the open floor with ease. Plays above the rim with thunderous jams. Snatches rebounds at their highest point.