Film Room: 2023 Chicago West and South Suburbs Prospects
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 looking how they project long term. Here is our Film Room: 2023 Chicago West and South Suburbs Prospects!
Donaven Younger Donaven Younger 6'8" | C Bolingbrook | 2023 State IL (Bolingbrook)
Younger is one of the premier 2022 prospects in the state of Illinois. At 6’7” he has a great frame and tremendous upside. Quick, mobile, and athletic in the paint. Great bounce off the floor after catching passes in traffic. The smoothness that he goes from catch to dunk is so easy. Then to think he is just a freshman! Uses a right handed jump hook, has touch around the cup, and is a capable 12 foot jump shooter. Rim running big man that runs the floor with such ease. Potential high-major target and contender for top prospect in the class.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13866999/5eb1e58696760e0dd88958f8
Keon Alexander Keon Alexander 6'6" | PF Bolingbrook | 2023 State IL (Bolingbrook)
Alexander put his name on our radar with the Hoopers a summer ago playing 14U. This season he played mostly on the sophomore level, but that doesn’t take away from his long term potential. He is listed at 6’5” with room to continue to grow. Super bouncy around the hoop with an explosive second jump on the offensive glass. Can hit a short jumper, but right now relies on athleticism offensively. Mobility and length stand out on the defensive end. Contests shots in the paint over and over. Potential D1 post if he follows the projectability in front of him.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14520271/5eb91a44a018251290b877d9
Mekhi Cooper (Bolingbrook)
Cooper is a smaller point guard at 5’9” that played varsity this season on a talented Bolingbrook team. What we liked about his tape was how he passes in the lane to his big men. Capable spot up shooter.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13866957/5e868e504ba89c10a4588300
Brayden Long Brayden Long 6'4" | SF Yorkville Christian | 2023 State IL (Yorkville Christian)
Long is a small school player that posted quality numbers against good competition throughout the year as a freshman. On the season he went for 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 dimes while shooting 40% from three. His shooting is definitely his biggest asset at this point. The strong bodied 6’3” two guard has a quick shot off the catch that can also let it fly off a dribble hand off. Mixes in mid-range jumpers from the free throw line.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13681083/5e7aab88a6783d0d10a1e653
Bryce Shoto Bryce Shoto 5'6" | PG Plainfield Central | 2023 State IL (Plainfield Central)
Shoto is really small at only 5’3”, but he is so fun to watch. He plays with so much confidence with his shifty ball handling and ability to change gears at will. Attacks the rim despite his size throwing up scoop shots. Long release pushing it on threes, but he makes them at a pretty good rate.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13946595/5e7906f9c119de04d82ddefd
Rex Dockendorf (Riverside Brookfield)
Dockendorf is a combo guard at 5’10” that is a scrappy defender and can hit an occasional open shot. Glue guy. Tape was from non-varsity games.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13968991/5e1f57278cd47b1658b94bc2
Khalil Ross Khalil Ross 6'6" | SF Brother Rice | 2023 State IL (Lincoln Way West)
Ross is an athletic and wiry built 6’5” small forward. Explosive athlete that slithers through the defense getting to the rim where he finishes above the hoop. Athletic pop off the bounce. He is a capable shooter with a high release on his lefty shot. Good passer for a wing. Projects as a D1 prospect and one of the best wings in the class.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8WThZL_lvc
Owen Freeman Owen Freeman 6'10" | C Moline | 2023 State #179 Nation IL (Bradley Bourbonnais)
Very, very intriguing prospect! Freeman is a 6’7” center with good length and some projectability to grow a little more. Fluid post moves making quick and assertive moves on the block. You can tell he works on his post game and has learned how to be a true five. Right handed hook shot. Like how well he catches passes in traffic and transfers to dunks. Plus athlete for a big man that can throw it down with some pop. Good second jump for second chance points. Flies in for rebounds on both ends of the floor rebounding well out of his area. Flashed as a passer inside. Shot blocking presence that should only get better in that area as he volleyball swatted a couple. One of the better true fives we have seen in this class early on.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12482164/5e7553af5b3c870ab85009f9
Xavier Sulaiman Xavier Sulaiman 6'3" | SG Oak Lawn | 2023 State IL (Marist)
Suliaman is a 6’2” super long and thin combo guard. What was most impressive about this tape was his defense. Contests shots on the perimeter with his long arms. Pressures the ball at the point of attack. Gets deflections and does a nice job of getting in passing lanes. For a guard he blocks shots pretty well. Offensively he is best as an athletic slasher getting to the rim.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKkDLpoeo_M&feature=youtu.be
Bryce Tillery Bryce Tillery 5'7" | PG Hillcrest | 2023 State IL (Hillcrest)
Tillery is a small point guard at 5’7” that plays with speed in the open floor. Pushes in the transition game. He has a ton of quickness and shifty handles. Range on his three point shot. Really likes mid-range jumpers off cross overs.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13892021/5e83f76df31cb209e42d1504
Sam Lewis
Sam
Lewis
6'5" | SF
Oak Park River Forest | 2023
State
IL
(OPRF)
Lewis is a 6’5” projectable small forward with a frame where he should be able to add strength moving forward. Played on the sophomore level with so many talented upperclassmen at OPRF this past season. Smooth putting it on the deck. Very skilled at a young age showcasing a smooth jumper and passing feel. Can even play some on the ball. Defensively he is aggressive going for steals. Potential D1 prospect.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13896589/5e1cb4bb4df63e16b00350d7