Show Me Showdown: Steve’s Saturday Seven Standouts
Prep Hoops Show Me Showdown in St. Louis is always the last stop of the spring and this year it was just as good as any other year. Here are my Steve’s Saturday Seven Standouts. Illinois Prospects Brendan Gray…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Show Me Showdown in St. Louis is always the last stop of the spring and this year it was just as good as any other year. Here are my Steve’s Saturday Seven Standouts.
Illinois Prospects
Brendan Gray (Major League) Rockford Guilford 2022
Gray had a good morning especially in the second half of the game where he hit 3 threes including the dagger to seal his teams win over Wisc. Academy. Brendan gets after it on defense to go along with his nice shooting touch.
Nehemiah Fowlkes (Team Evol) Hillcrest 2024
Fowlkes is a dynamic guard who will pick up ballhandlers the full 94 feet and turn them or get steals in the open court. Nehemiah is a ballhawk but he also shot the ball well in the game I watched. His best move is a runner in the lane but can also stop and pop from mid range as well. Fowlkes seems to have a continuous motor that makes him easy to coach.
Thon Bill Thon Bill 6'8" | PF Timothy Christian | 2025 IL (ET21 Buckeyes) Timothy Christian 2025
Probably the best player in the gym with the most upside. The very long and agile Thon is a rim protector and strong rebounder on the defensive end. In my first look at him he had 2 blocks. On the offensive side is where the upside comes in. He did score around the rim with a dunk and a sweeping hook shot. Once he can add some weight and play more with his back to the basket watch out for him. Just a freshman he can become a legit college prospect.
Brandenn Robinson (Big Time) Springfield 2023
Robinson is a very aggressive post player. He works hard on the boards snatching rebounds often with a lot of ferocity. Brandenn plays like he has springs in his legs. On offense he had several rim rocking dunks on each the defense parted like the red seas when he came down the lane. Robinson is a new name that played well at the right time.
Johnny Wiggins (Team Evol) St. Laurence 2024
Wiggins is another St. Laurence underclassmen guard that is tearing it up this spring. In the morning game I caught Johnny lighting it up from all three levels. He’s a tough guard with some strength. He was able to create separation by bouncing guys off him and making shots. He made a few deep threes that let everyone know that’s something he’s comfortable doing. He’s is a willing passer as well as he got in the lane a few times and created for his teammates. Wiggins is another Vikings guard to track come June.
Wisconsin Prospects
Darius Chestnut Darius Chestnut 6'2" | SG Sun Prairie West | 2023 State WI (E2E Elite) Sun Prairie 2023
Chestnut is another explosive athlete that made some noise in his evening game at Show Me Showdown. Darius is a slashing forward who gets in the lane off the bounce and is able to finish with either hand. If he didn’t score he was fouled. A college coach walked over to see who was the kid that continued to be at the free throw line. As the game opened up Chestnut started to flourish in transition as he connected with three highlight dunks to finish the game.
Desmond Laongoen (Wisconsin Premier) Madison East 2024
Desmond was a guard who caught my eye while I was watching another game. He seemed to score a bucket every time I turned my head. A smaller thick bodied guard who is savvy with the ball gets in the lane and knows how to create space to get his shot off with defenders in his face. Laongoen was doubled at times in the game but still found a way to get the ball back and score. He played at his own pace no matter who they switched on to him. Desmond has a gift that can make him a college prospect with two years remaining in high school.