Ridgewood Live Event: 2024 Stock Boosters

<p>Who were the rising juniors that caught our attention the most and helping their stock at Ridgewood?  There are 10 of them here in <strong>Ridgewood Live Event: 2024 Stock Boosters</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1157209" first="Will" last="Gonzalez"] (Riverside Brookfield)</strong></p> <p>Gonzalez has such a bright future as a long and rangy wing that brings two way ability.  Versatile defender that uses his length getting in passing lanes and into opponents.  What stood out the most offensively was his passing.  Such an excellent distributor that made sound decisions as a distributor getting others in position to succeed.  Takes long strides slashing with the rock in his hands.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Jakob Blakely (Larkin)</strong></p> <p>Blakely is a sound mid-range shooter that loves to get to his spots and rise up over his opponents.  The combo guard is one of the more intriguing pure scorers in the state with his three level scoring pop that when he is on goes for 20+ like its nothing and he had that working over the weekend.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1373437" first="Justus" last="McNair"] (Joliet West)</strong></p> <p>Continue to be intrigued with this combo guard from Joliet West.  More of a scoring guard with his ability to knock down shots in bunches which he did when we saw him at Ridgewood.  Smooth athlete that has creative handles breaking down defenders.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Calvin Robins (Kenwood)</strong></p> <p>High energy power forward who is one of the bounciest front court players in the state.  The rising junior plays with physicality and athleticism around the hoop.  His burst off the floor is right up there with anyone in the class.  He is best utilized offensively out of the dunker spot, playing off the glass, and rim running.  Very good rebounder.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1373452" first="Robert" last="McCline"] (East St. Louis)</strong></p> <p>Thin and wiry two guard that shines as a spot up threat.  Liked him during the second half of the high school season and he shined in spurts for ESL with his knock down shot as well as perimeter defense.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="939072" first="Marcus" last="Pigram"] (Whitney Young)</strong></p> <p>Pigram is an interesting prospect.  Combo guard leaning more toward off guard that has a strong body and does most of his damage playing bully ball and backing his opponents into the paint.  Biggest value at the next level is in his defense being able to be a plus perimeter defender.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1194776" first="Max" last="Johnson"] (OPRF)</strong></p> <p>Johnson is a point guard that we have been fans of for a while.  The lead guard is a plus pull up shooter that knocks in mid-range shots and threes at a good clip.  Overall shows a good feel for the game and high basketball IQ.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1285533" first="Edwon" last="Duling"] (Kenwood)</strong></p> <p>Duling is going to be an x-factor guy for Kenwood this upcoming season.  The combo guard can play on and off the ball, but his biggest value is in all the intangible things he brings to his team.  Defense, passing, and making the right play.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1373451" first="Jurrell" last="Baldwin"] (Homewood Flossmoor)</strong></p> <p>Baldwin caught our attention during the season and continues to be a power forward we like long term.  Good size that brings athleticism up front and shot it well nailing a pair of threes in the game we saw.  Looked much more comfortable offensively than we had previously seen where he was more of a rebounder and defender.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1285494" first="Ameer" last="Morrow"] (Simeon)</strong></p> <p>Morrow is an uber athletic four that is quick to the offensive glass.  Will be a role player for the Wolverines with a future as a long term prospect because of how well he rebounds, runs the floor, and is active in the paint.</p>