Film Room: 2021 Southern Illinois Prospects Pt 2
With no spring and summer basketball going on we wanted to do a deep dive into the prospects across the state by reviewing their season long highlight tapes and giving our evaluation of their strengths as a prospect along with…
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Continue ReadingWith no spring and summer basketball going on we wanted to do a deep dive into the prospects across the state by reviewing their season long highlight tapes and giving our evaluation of their strengths as a prospect along with projected college level. Here is our Film Room: 2021 Southern Illinois Prospects Pt 2!
Quani Rudd Quani Rudd 6'6" | SF Mt. Vernon | 2021 State IL (Mt. Vernon)
Rudd is one of the best kept secrets in the state’s 2021 class. He has been a D1 prospect on our radar for the last year and a half. Rudd had a big junior season as the 6’6” small forward has all the physical tools you could ask for in a wing. Super explosive finisher that plays above the rim with monster finishes. Aggressive slasher that gets to the rim with authority. Plus athlete that has really improved as a shooter over the last year. Soft touch and good form. Hits mid-range pull ups and can stretch it to three on occasion. Flashes as a passer in the lane. Crashes the glass for put backs. Mid-major prospect that is going to be a steal for someone!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sim9JpRwmnA
Carson Prost Carson Prost 6'1" | SG Mt. Vernon | 2021 State IL (Mt. Vernon)
Prost is a shooting guard that is a plus catch and shoot threat. Good at spotting up and finding weaknesses on the perimeter to set up for a shot. Moves well without the ball to get open. When defender flies at him he is effective with a hard shot fake and pull up jumper inside the arc. Scoop shots are his favorite finish in the lane and throws bullet passes to cutters to the basket. Good small college prospect.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12119792/5e9520ad8cd3d70e8484a8ac
Garrett Gunter (Sesser-Valier)
This thick bodied guard from southern Illinois is tough. Offensively he uses his strength to go through his opponents and shoot within 5-7 feet. Finishes through contact. Below the rim athlete. Decent passer. Scrappy defender that does the little things on that end. Small college player.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13977855/5e740d2132dcb217780f1281
Kaleb Applebey (Mt. Carmel)
Applebey is a prospect that we were intrigued by early in his career, but haven’t seen for a while. At 6’7” the center has good size, strength, and is a better athlete than we remember. Right handed hook shot is go to move in the paint. Can stretch it out a little shooting hitting an occasional spot up three. Was impressive snatching rebounds at their highest points in traffic. Will block shots in the paint. D2s should be monitoring. Also plays football.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9945259/5e9b04deda513a0c749c0346
Reece Johnson (Benton)
Johnson is a fun player to watch. The 6’0” point guard is a creative passer especially in the open floor. Throws crisp passes through traffic on the money with either hand. Likes short jumpers in the lane and can stretch it out to three on occasion with a quick release. D3/NAIA prospect!
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13986068/5e7e4c3da677350fe448ada2
Joe Melton Joe Melton 6'6" | C Ncoe | 2021 State IL (Norris City Omaha Enfield)
Not many know about this 6’7” big man, but he is one of the bigger sleeper prospects from southern Illinois in 2021. Skilled five man that has mobility. Long and gangly frame. He can really shoot it at his size as a spot up shooter or pick/pop threat. Stretches opposing big men out on the perimeter. Shows touch on the block and finishes with explosiveness on quick moves from the mid-post. Solid shot blocker. High level small college prospect that could very well elevate into D2 territory.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13966842/5e7eb799f31cf4055c605c1f
Eli Downen (Carterville)
Downen is a 6’4” strong bodied small forward. Tough and high-motor player. Average athlete that makes up for it with a solid all-around skill set. Decent shooter from mid-range and three. Projects as a small college player.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12019198/5e72618f688e3b0a283a55c0