Top Illinois 2022 Post Prospects
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We now examine the top post prospects in the 2022 class! These are the highest ranked prospects at the position in the latest PHI Rankings! AJ Casey AJ Casey 6'8" | PF Whitney Young | 2022 State #55 Nation…
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Continue ReadingWe now examine the top post prospects in the 2022 class! These are the highest ranked prospects at the position in the latest PHI Rankings!
AJ Casey AJ Casey 6'8" | PF Whitney Young | 2022 State #55 Nation IL (Whitney Young)
Ranking: #1
Casey is the top junior prospect in the state and in contention for the best prospect regardless of class. Smooth and fluid athlete that can play inside and out. Knocks down face up shots, puts it on the deck, and scores with athleticism in the paint. Runs the floor with ease and is a mobile defender on the defensive end. He has all the tools you look for in a high-major post prospect.
Kyle Thomas Kyle Thomas 6'8" | C St. Joesph | 2022 State #183 Nation IL (St. Joseph)
Ranking: #3
Thomas has great size and strength on the interior. He seems to be growing into his body and frame. Runs the floor hard for lobs. Powerful in the paint as a finisher. The improved skill and mobility were what made the biggest impression on us at Rock N Ball. Looked extremely comfortable taking shots from all over. Rebounded at a high level throughout the night. Physical presence around the hoop on both ends of the floor that has made strides in his skill game.
Robbie Avila Robbie Avila 6'9" | PF Oak Forest | 2022 State #225 Nation IL (Oak Forest)
Ranking: #4
His skill level is his calling card. For his team this winter at Rock N Ball they were playing him as a point forward. The natural face up forward isn’t the most explosive athlete, but his skill more than makes up for it. Great passer finding guys in the open floor and from the perimeter cutting. He moves well without the ball on cuts to the hoop himself for scores. Efficient when the ball touches his hands in the post. Sound footwork and a soft touch. Had several conversions running the floor. One of the best shot making big men from beyond the arc in the class.
Braden Huff Braden Huff 6'11" | PF Glenbard West | 2022 State #58 Nation IL (Glenbard West)
Ranking: #5
Huff is a long and rangy left-handed power forward that is being pursued by an array of high-major programs. Great skill level for his size being able to push in transition off defensive rebounds. Finishes inside and gets to the line. More than comfortable as a face up four putting it on the deck past nonathletic defenders and has a smooth looking lefty shot. Defensively he blocks and alters shots.
Xavier Lewis Xavier Lewis 6'7" | PF Tf South | 2022 State IL (TF South)
Ranking: #10
We liked the progress we saw since we last evaluated him in the late summer at the recent Rock N Ball event. The power forward shined on the defensive end being able to defend all over the floor. Protected the rim inside, guarded on the perimeter moving his feet, and even swatted a jump shot. Offensively he was exceptionally good getting on the offensive glass for second chance opportunities. Extremely bouncy in the paint with an explosive second jump. Hit a corner three along with a one dribble baseline jumper. At times he has a bit of a straight line shot. When he puts arc on it the shot usually goes in.
Dylan Arnett Dylan Arnett 6'9" | PF DePaul Prep | 2022 State IL (DePaul Prep)
Ranking: #17
Strong outing from the DePaul Prep 6’9” five man at multiple Illinois Wolves scrimmages this fall. Thick bodied post, but has solid mobility to go with it. He was crafty around the hoop finishing in traffic. Displayed good footwork when facing up handling it and drilled threes. Versatile post that rebounds in his area and can play inside/out.
NJ Benson NJ Benson 6'8" | C Mt. Vernon | 2022 State #238 Nation IL (Mt. Vernon)
Ranking: #18
First part that stands out is his strength and frame. Built similar to Kansas State freshman Davion Bradford with really broad shoulders and a strong upper body. He moves very well for his size. Benson was dominant at Thanksgiving Throwdown on the glass in all three games we saw. He crashed the offensive glass over and over again for put backs completely owning the boards throughout the event. In one game alone he had five put backs. The other area he scored a lot was on dump off passes which came from Rudd. He slammed home quite a few monster jams going straight up with power after catching the pass in traffic. Showed flashes being able to handle a little facing up from the mid-post and even pushed it a few times in the open floor. Not much of a shooter and struggled at the foul line. His rebounding was very good as he high pointed boards in traffic over and over again. Went after them at their apex and snatched them strong with both hands. Defensively he is an excellent shot blocker that showed good anticipation and timing.
Xavier Amos Xavier Amos 6'7" | PF Whitney Young | 2022 State #233 Nation IL (Whitney Young)
Ranking: #24
Strong bodied 6’7” four with broad shoulders. Quality athlete that shined with the Illinois Stars when we saw them. Rebounded well, tough defender, and has emerging skill offensively. Versatile two way player that has upside.
Christian Meeks Christian Meeks 6'6" | SF Homewood Flossmoor | 2022 State IL (Homewood Flossmoor)
Ranking: #25
Meeks is a high energy forward that plays harder than anyone on the floor. That translates into production. The Homewood Flossmoor combo forward was a beast on the glass all summer and fall owning it in almost every game we saw him. He is so quick with an elite second jump. Gets a ton of his points off second chance opportunities on the glass. Big time rim runner in transition for easy buckets. Flashes an evolving game off the dribble. Defensively he is one of the top players in his class guarding all over the floor with the best of them.
Emondrek Ford Emondrek Ford 6'8" | PF Bloom | 2022 State IL (Bloom)
Ranking: #29
The 6’8” power forward is very bouncy and active on the glass with a quick second jump. Once he adds more strength should be an even better rebounder as he high points them in traffic already. Offensively he opened our eyes knocking down a three every now and then. Also can put it on the deck from the mid-post and in. Shot blocking presence that contests shots.
Sulaimon Agiste Sulaimon Agiste 6'8" | C Michelle Clark | 2022 State IL (Michelle Clark)
Ranking: #30
Agiste is a 6’8” projectable five that has long arms and is oozing upside. Rim runner that finishes dump off passes around the hoop. Defensively he can standout with the way he blocks shots.
Martell Webb Martell Webb 6'7" | C Tinley Park | 2022 State IL (Westinghouse)
Ranking: #31
Webb is a huge presence on the interior. He mauls opponents with his raw strength. Snatches rebounds with his strong hands in traffic. Seals off his man in the paint for scores. Brick wall defensively in the paint.