Fall 2023 Top Performers: Part 1
Prep Hoops Illinois dives into what we saw from a variety of events during the fall months. We saw tons of basketball over the last few months and now we recap that. Check out our Fall 2023 Top Performers: Part…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Illinois dives into what we saw from a variety of events during the fall months. We saw tons of basketball over the last few months and now we recap that. Check out our Fall 2023 Top Performers: Part 1!
Grant Fridley Grant Fridley 6'1" | PG Wesclin | 2023 State IL (Trenton Wesclin)
Event: Pure Sweat Back 2 School Camp
This Trenton Wesclin 6’1” guard can flat out shoot the rock. In the first game he drilled a pair of threes and then followed it up with a trio in the last game of the night. Crisp and concise release. Mixed in a couple drives and threw a fantastic left handed bounce pass for a dime.
Dalen Davis Dalen Davis 6'0" | PG Whitney Young | 2023 State #167 Nation IL (Whitney Young)
Event: Meanstreets Mini-Camp
Davis is among the premier floor generals in the 2023 class in Illinois. High IQ guard that understands how to run a team and use pace. Pushed in the open floor always having his head up to make a play. It was his shooting that was very impressive. The Dolphins standout was money from mid-range all day long seemingly to barley miss. Pulls up stopping and popping on a dime. Crisp ball handler that also split the D a couple times getting to the cup.
Darrion Baker Darrion Baker 6'8" | PF St Rita | 2023 State #227 Nation IL (St. Rita)
Event: Meanstreets Mini-Camp
Baker was the prospect that saw his stock rise the most with his play. The 6’8” St. Rita forward was hurt most of his freshman year after impressing us last fall. He has grown and also gained strength. Played as a power forward and was very good on both ends. Ran the floor hard, handled it some in the open floor, used his bounce around the hoop high pointing rebounds, and finished in the paint with his quickness. Defensively he utilized his length to block and alter shots.
Richard Barron Richard Barron 6'5" | SF St. Ignatius | 2023 State IL (St. Ignatius)
Event: Stealth Final Runs 2023
Barron was about as good as we have seen him in this setting. The 6’3” small forward is a strong bodied wing that got buckets from multiple levels. He was powerful with the rock off the bounce taking it to the hoop playing bully ball for scores. Ran the floor hard over and over where he was rewarded. His overall motor and physicality are what really stood out. Did hit a couple threes and we liked what he flashed defensively.
Jalen Griffith Jalen Griffith 5'9" | PG Simeon | 2023 State IL (Simeon)
Event: Stealth Final Runs 2023
Griffith is a 5’9” point guard from the Wolverines that is one of the most exciting playmakers in the class. He has the ball on a string and is electric with it in tight spaces. At times he can be a little too fancy, but he has all the moves for sure. Got to the rim with his speed and crisp handles seemingly at will. Drilled an array of jumpers from mid-range and three. He is actually a very good shooter. Threw several passes in the event that no one else would even think to attempt and was successful. Bullet passes in transition on the money. Pesky defender that gets steals when locked in on that end of the floor.
Sonny Williams Sonny Williams 6'1" | PG International Sports Academy | 2023 OH (Niles Notre Dame)
Event: Illinois Wolves Scrimmages
Williams continues to see his stock rise each time we see him play. The Niles Notre Dame point guard drilled feathery jumpers from mid-range and three. Dished the rock to his teammates putting them in positions to succeed. Defensively he contests shots on the perimeter and has active hands getting steals.
Khalil Ross Khalil Ross 6'6" | SF Brother Rice | 2023 State IL (Lincoln Way East)
Event: Illinois Wolves Scrimmages
Ross is a prospect we have been high on for a while. We hadn’t seen him do it consistently against a high level of competition. That was checked off in this outing. Very projectable small forward with length. The lefty wing is cat quick getting on the offensive glass for second chance opportunities. Excels at running the floor for buckets in transition. Slick passer for a wing that threw a great pass in the open floor. Streaky shooter, but did drill one from the corner. Defensively he has a chance to be special with his anticipation getting steals and staying in front of his man.
Macaleab Rich Macaleab Rich 6'5" | SF East St. Louis | 2023 State #261 Nation IL (East St. Louis)
Event: Brad Beal Elite Mini Camp
This East St. Louis small forward is built like an outside linebacker with his strength and quickness. He is extremely efficient with his touches. Excellent at finishing dump off passes in the paint along with catching dimes in traffic from his guards with his strong hands. High level offensive rebounder that is super quick off the floor on his second jump. Snatches boards on both ends of the floor. High motor player. Defensively he has active hands on the perimeter being able to defend outside and inside. Had a steal that he threw down the court for a long outlet.
Asa Thomas Asa Thomas 6'6" | SF Lake Forest | 2023 State #91 Nation IL (Lake Forest)
Event: Illinois Wolves Scrimmages
Thomas already checks in at #6 in the 2023 rankings and he looked every bit the part. In our first eval of him since late in the high school season the 6’6” shooting guard was absolutely lethal with his three point shooting. Hit five of them in the scrimmage. Has excellent size, a high release, and it gets off so quickly. Thomas has elite size for position. Also showcased a decent passing feel in this contest. Big time prospect!
Cole Peppenhorst Cole Peppenhorst 6'4" | PF Breese Mater Dei | 2023 State IL (Breese Mater Dei)
Event: Illinois Bears 2023/2024 Scrimmage
Peppenhorst is a prospect that intrigued us over the last few months and this might have been the best he has played yet. The 6’4” four man is a mobile post that has a long and lanky frame with projectability. Should continue to grow. He can beat a defense in so many ways. Skilled around the basket with a soft touch. Nice looking hook shot. Stretches the floor with his perimeter shooting knocking down a handful of them off the catch throughout the day. Can put it on the deck slashing from the high post and is more than comfortable taking it off the defensive glass and pushing it on his own in transition. Good area rebounder that once he adds strength will be even better. Length plays well defensively as he can block a shot with good timing.
Grant Fridley Grant Fridley 6'1" | PG Wesclin | 2023 State IL (Trenton Wesclin)
Event: Illinois Bears 2023/2024 Scrimmage
Fridley was among the highest ranked prospects in the event. The 2023 6’1” point guard showed why displaying an all-around floor game. Pushes in the open floor and is an excellent passer with a feel for when to score and when to dish. Strong ball handler that can get to the rim where he would score at the cup or was fouled. Plus shooter that drilled an array of threes both pulling up and off the catch. Has a knack for finding open spots in the defense to get his shot off.
Cade Altadonna Cade Altadonna 6'0" | PG Highland | 2023 State IL (Highland)
Event: Illinois Bears 2023/2024 Scrimmage
Altadonna is a high level scorer that was one of the most productive bucket getters in the state last year among freshman. The crafty lefty might be an even better facilitator. He passes it with a ton of flair, but also makes sound decisions with the ball. Hits guys running the floor hard on the break. As a scorer he did most of his damage in the paint on nifty layups and creative finishes.