Top 2022 Illinois Posts
Time to turn our attention to pretty solid post group that features five power forwards or centers ranked inside the top 10 overall. We look at the best of the best here! AJ Casey (Tinley Park) Current Ranking: #1…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingTime to turn our attention to pretty solid post group that features five power forwards or centers ranked inside the top 10 overall. We look at the best of the best here!
AJ Casey (Tinley Park)
Current Ranking: #1
Travel Team: Meanstreets
Casey remains the premier prospect in the Illinois 2022 group. This skilled 6’8” post has everything you could ask for in a young power forward. Size, length, and athleticism. He can play inside and outside along with impact the game on both ends of the floor. Rebounds well, finishes lobs inside, and uses his athleticism around the hoop. Runs the floor very well for a post. Seems a lot more comfortable facing up shooting the ball and handling it than he has been in the past. Confident letting it fly and creating his own shot. Shot blocking presence and covers ground defensively.
Nigel Hylton (Lake Forest Academy)
Current Ranking: #3
Travel Team: Project Excellence
Hylton is a bouncy power forward that rebounds at a high level. Quick around the hoop and snatches rebounds at a high rate. Long and rangy frame that should fill out in time. Offensively he finishes dump off passes, throws down lobs, and displays touch around the hoop. Hylton has a feathery shooting touch on the perimeter and is very comfortable letting it fly from deep. Covers ground defensively with his mobility and length.
Kyle Thomas (St. Joseph’s)
Current Ranking: #4
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
First thing that stands out about Thomas is he has a projectable frame. Broad shoulders and a frame that should easily be able to carry 25-30 more pounds as time goes on. Coordination is still a work in progress, but he does show off potential with a couple big dunks every game. Decent footwork. Thomas is an absolute force swatting shots! Right now his defense is ahead of his offense. Elite level shot blocker!
Robbie Avila (Oak Forest)
Current Ranking: #6
Travel Team: Meanstreets
The Oak Forest 6’8” power forward was spectacular with the way he scored at will this fall at the PrepHoops Top 250. Skilled face up four that stretches the floor with his shooting. He did just that connecting on an array of triples. We have always known that was a strength, but the standout post showed much more including improved athleticism. Ran the floor so fluidly for buckets, moved laterally defensively, and swatted shots. So efficient with everything that he does!
Xavier Amos (Whitney Young)
Current Ranking: #10
The 6’8” forward has insane length and explosion around the hoop. Several times he just used his second jump to get on the glass and put it in the hoop. His projectable tools are off the charts. Kid could be next Whitney Young forward to track at the D1 level.
Sulaiman Agiste (Michelle Clark)
Current Ranking: #15
Travel Team: Illinois Heat
A lot of upside! All arms and legs! Will need to add strength, but there is a lot to like here. He is extremely active as a rebounder on both ends of the floor. Shot blocking presence. Offensively he flashes a couple quick moves which make you think with more work he can be a problem down low in a couple years! Runs the floor pretty well for a five man.
Danny Wolf (Lake Forest Academy)
Current Ranking: #18
The 6’7” four man is extremely active on both ends of the floor. Offensively he can stretch the floor shooting it, put it on the deck, and score at the cup. Several times at Pangos he took the ball off the glass and pushed it the other way for acrobatic layups. Defensively he is effective as a rim protector. High motor kid that was super productive.
Lance Rodgers (Simeon)
Current Ranking: #22
Travel Team: Young & Reckless
Rodgers is a 6’6” power forward that has broad shoulders and long arms. Like his projectability as he should be able to grow even more over the next few years of high school. He is excellent on the glass high pointing rebounds in traffic and getting put backs. Strong outlet passer. Defensively he is a shot blocking presence being able to come out of nowhere for swats.
Marcellius Cohen (De La Salle)
Current Ranking: #25
Cohen is a really intriguing left handed 6’9” post. He has good strength and runs the floor very well. Plus athlete that has bounce around the hoop. At times he drifts too much to the perimeter, but when he plays above the rim on the inside he is a very intriguing player. Gets on the glass for put backs and finishes alley-oops.
Emondrek Erkins (Bloom)
Current Ranking: #27
A lot to like with his 6’7” power forward! He has tremendous length and the lefty has excellent mobility. Has the ability to take a defensive rebound and start the break on his own. High level rebounder especially on the offensive glass for put backs. Can face up a little and put it on the deck. Defensively he protects the rim and can defend in ball screens. A little raw at times, but so many things to like with this young post and will have the chance this season to learn behind Martice Mitchell.