Three Stripes: Illinois Standouts
Here are the top Illinois performances from the Three Stripes Alliance Event in St. Louis this past weekend.
SF Talen Horton-Tucker (Team Rose 17U)
THT gave us one of the best performances of the summer at Lindenwood University. In a packed house with college coaches lined up on the sideline Team Rose played a showcase game vs Bradley Beal Elite (EYBL) Saturday evening. Horton-Tucker brought out his full arsenal in the second half of the game. It started with a pair of three pointers and from there the floodgates opened for Talen. It seemed like every time he touched the ball he looked to attack and score and he did it in such a smooth fashion. Talen broke guys down off the dribble and finished at the rim. So crafty he backed guys down and shot one foot step back fade aways on defenders. Any type of way you think a person can score Talen did it. All in the second half of the game. THT scored 32 points and lead Team Rose to a double figure victory over Brad Beal Elite.
PG Maurice Commander (Young & Reckless 17U)
Just earlier in the day before Talen’s big performance Maurice Commander gave another special performance himself. Commander scored on all three levels in this high speed game where if you blinked someone could have scored. Maurice started the game as a set-up man but as the tempo picked up he became a scorer. He made several pull up jump shots whenever defenders sat back off of him. When guards tried to get up on him he just went around them and made floaters or got his big man easy buckets. Commander finished with 32 points and 7 assists. A performance that had the opposing coaches asking who is that PG. SIUE and Evansville offered him this weekend.
SG Kenny Pittman (Young & Reckless 17U)
Pittman has been lighting it up from the three point line as of late. In the past two weekends he has several games where he’s made over four 3 pointers a game. The trend continued this weekend as he shot lights out while mixing up his attacks. Kenny is known for being a knock down shooter so when defenders try to get up and guard him tight they are surprised when he gets around them with his handles. Pittman received some attention from a couple of schools this weekend. Should see more college interest coming his way during the final week.
SF Dannie Smith (Team Rose 17U)
Mr. Smith brought his work hat to St. Louis this weekend. An unknown to most of the coaches to start the weekend he did a little bit of everything for Team Rose and before it was said and done Smith was labeled the Draymond Green of Illinois high school basketball. Dannie initiated contact anytime he was around the rim or basketball. Smith displayed his ability to shoot as he connected on most of his mid and long range shots. His work horse mentality was a key factor to Team Rose winning the Championship this weekend.
PG Kendle Moore (Team Rose 17U)
Moore was magnificent on Sunday. He had it going on the perimeter. In an early game vs St. Louis Gateway Moore shot the ball really well. Most of the time the ball never touched the rim. Moore was a great compliment to THT this weekend. Opposing teams had trouble chasing him around on the court. Kendle plays hard and can play on and off the ball if needed. With the ball he was able to get 15 foot pull up jump shots. When off the ball he found ways to get free and knock down open looks. Moore has what it takes to be a really good scoring point guard at the next level.
SG Zion Young (Young & Reckless 17U)
The strong guard had another solid weekend. Zion imposed his will on opposing teams. He mixed it up in the different games this weekend. When teams played zone he found empty spots and made shots. When on the baseline he got to the rim and used his athleticism either to get around the big man or jump over them. On defense Young used his strength to keep guys in front of him applying pressure and causing let turnovers over the weekend. He has a college ready body which makes him a sure standout for schools now.