PHI 2020 Rankings: Biggest Stock Risers
Here we examine a group of the biggest stock risers in the final PHI prospect rankings! All of these prospects made a leap of at least 15 spots up in the rankings with their play from the second half of…
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Continue ReadingHere we examine a group of the biggest stock risers in the final PHI prospect rankings! All of these prospects made a leap of at least 15 spots up in the rankings with their play from the second half of the season.
Damontae Taylor Damontae Taylor 6'7" | PF Zion Benton | 2020 State IL (Zion Benton)
Previous Ranking: #65
Current Ranking: #45
Taylor showcased in multiple outings during the season his immense potential as a face up four with the ability to even play some point forward. That was no more evident than in their game against Evanston where he went OFF! Taylor is a super long and thin combo forward that had it all working that night. In the first quarter he ripped off 11 points playing above the rim with an array of acrobatic finishes. He is excellent running the floor with his long strides and has a sweet euro step. Smooth slasher that is slippery on straight line takes. Crashed the glass offensively for second chance opportunities. He even played quite a bit on the ball showing improved handles from what we saw over the summer. Taylor finished with a game high 33 points.
Jackson Connor Jackson Connor 6'6" | PF Marion | 2020 State IL (Marion)
Previous Ranking: #94
Current Ranking: #58
Connor created buzz during the second half of the season with his play. We caught him a couple times and he was best in the last game of his career against a quality East St. Louis squad. First aspect that stood out was his broad shoulders and solid build. Definitely built like a mobile four man that can play a little inside and out. Showed more athletic pop and improved ball handling. Connor had several crisp pull up jumpers from mid-range and one from three. Cut well away from the ball for a pair of layups on the move. Inside he missed a few bunnies, but did a nice job with his second jump getting back on the glass for put backs or trips to the charity stripe.
Elijah Pickens Elijah Pickens 5'8" | PG Curie | 2020 State IL (Curie)
Previous Ranking: #110
Current Ranking: #70
The consistency out of Pickens during the second half of the season was what stood out. He was one of the clear leaders on the team. The floor general set the tone with his passing, defense, and perimeter shooting. Pickens brought it every night and didn’t have many off nights the entire season while playing his role on the team.
Uchenna Egekeze Uchenna Egekeze 6'3" | SG Huntley | 2020 State IL (Huntley)
Previous Ranking: #106
Current Ranking: #91
Egekeze is a prospect that has been on our radar for a long time. He is a long and angular wing that the more you watch the more you can see the value that he will bring to a program at the next level. Plus defender that can check three perimeter spots at the small college level. Offensively he is a well-rounded player that is the ultimate utility guy being able to fill in a little bit everywhere.
Blake McKay Blake McKay 5'10" | PG Woodlawn | 2020 State IL (Woodlawn)
Previous Ranking: #160
Current Ranking: #101
McKay is a player that we have covered for years and when we saw him during the second half with Woodlawn he showed even more growth since last summer. McKay who is headed to McKendree is a strong guard with crisp precise movements. He drilled a pair of threes and some pull ups. McKay handles it well finding the weaknesses in the defense and exploiting it whether it be for threes or blowing by defenders on drives. Finished well and got out in transition including a nice dunk. As a distributor McKay got others involved setting up his shooters and pushing ahead in the open floor. Like what he did defensively moving his feet and staying in front of his man.
Josiah Hammons Josiah Hammons 6'2" | SG Curie | 2020 State IL (Curie)
Previous Ranking: #143
Current Ranking: #124
Hammons has emerged as a senior with his three and D ability. Didn’t even play during the first three years of his career. The lefty shooting guard is a sound spot up marksmen with how he connects off the catch. Particularly good from the corners. Solid wing defender.
Demarius Splunge Demarius Splunge 6'5" | SF Orr | 2020 State IL (Orr)
Previous Ranking: #166
Current Ranking: #127
Splunge is a prospect that at one time was a top 10 player, but never quite lived up to that status after injuries and not producing at a high level. This year he put together some of that ability he has always had as a big bodied wing together averaging 14.2 points per game along with 8.8 rebounds per game.
Bryce Hall Bryce Hall 6'4" | SF Orr | 2020 State IL (Orr)
Previous Ranking: #167
Current Ranking: #128
Hall was also a key player for Orr this season. He transferred in for his senior year and took on the role as one of the primary bucket getters for this squad. He knocked down jump shots while also getting loose in transition. Averaged 11 points a game as a senior.
Kyle Lillwitz Kyle Lillwitz 6'4" | SG Lemont | 2020 State IL (Lemont)
Previous Ranking: #215
Current Ranking: #139
Lillwitz had an epic performance when we saw him late in the high school season for Lemont against Oak Forest. He is a lefty small forward that is committed to Lawrence University. The wing displayed a clean looking three point shot along with a crafty all-around scoring game. His shot fakes followed by step in mid-range jumpers were absolutely lethal in that contest.
Rron Thaci Rron Thaci 6'6" | SF Jones | 2020 State IL (Jones)
Previous Ranking: #161
Current Ranking: #143
This was quietly one of the more productive players in the Chicago Public League. The Jones senior forward is an interesting under the radar prospect that had a quality season. Tough kid who is a capable shooter and an underrated athlete.
Micah Schnyders Micah Schnyders 6'1" | SG Yorkville Christian | 2020 State IL (Yorkville Christian)
Previous Ranking: #191
Current Ranking: #144
Schnyders is a big time perimeter sniper that transferred over to Yorkville Christian for to form one form one of the most lethal shooting teams in the state! Will bring his sharp shot to a program at the next level.
Gabe Mason Gabe Mason 6'5" | SF Metamora | 2020 State IL (Metamora)
Previous Ranking: #202
Current Ranking: #164
Mason lit it up late in the season including a 36 point outing against Peoria Central in the playoffs. Long and slender wing with a plus shot.
Derrick Williams Derrick Williams 5'10" | PG Thornton | 2020 State IL (Thornton)
Previous Ranking: #210
Current Ranking: #171
Thornton is headed to Murray State to play football, but the senior was the clear leader for one of the top teams in the state this season. Athletic guard that scored, dished, and defended!