KC: Illinois 2018 All-Tournament Teams
PrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance at the Sunflower Showcase and Jayhawk Invitational this past week in Kansas City. Here are our 2018 Illinois All-Tournament Teams from the event base on the games we personally evaluated.
First Team
MVP: SF Zion Griffin (Hoopers Basketball Club 17U)
The MVP of this 2018 group was pretty cut and dry. Hinsdale South 6’6” small forward Zion Griffin made KC his personal performance stage the last two weeks by destroying EYBL and other high level competition. He did that just again going for 25 points twice including in a game against PSA Cardinals. With about 30 coaches in the gym Saturday night he showed off his immense athleticism and skill by blocking shots, scoring at the rim, and hitting mid-range jumpers. Griffin established himself as a clear high-major prospect with his play over the last two weeks.
PG Benjamin Tompson (Kessel Heat 17U)
Welcome to the party Mr. Tompson. This Bartlett guard came out of literally nowhere as we had barely heard of his name until KC. He put himself heavily on the D3/NAIA radar with his play. Tompson stands at 6’1” with the ability to shoot it from deep. He can do more than just that mixing in some runners/floaters and tough layups. Gritty kid. He scored 19 points in the first half alone of their game on Saturday.
PG DeAndre Heckard (Hoops4Health 17U)
Heckard plays his best in the biggest games. We caught him for a full game against the Hoopers where he forced his will on the game getting to the basket, hitting jumpers, pushing it in the open floor, and getting others involved. He was the spark plug that got them going from the jump. In another game we saw the second half where he absolutely went off getting to the rim at will attacking downhill. Heckard has established himself as a LM+/MM- player in our eyes.
PF Ethan Schuemer (Mercury Elite 17U)
Schuemer is just so consistent game to game. The skilled 6’5” post isn’t going to blow you away with his physical tools or athleticism, but this kid just knows how to play the game. He is an excellent scorer around the hoop that shoots very efficiently with his soft touch and outstanding footwork. Area rebounder that fights on the glass. Solid passer. Really like this kid at the D2 level!
PG Branden Ellis (Kessel Heat 17U)
Ellis is an athletic combo guard that gets out and runs! He is best in the open floor where he can score with his speed beating almost any and every opponent down the floor. Finishes well with acrobatic layups and dunks. Quality ball handler that continues to improve in the half court with his feel for the game and can shoot it when given space. Ellis is a LM/D2+ player.
Second Team
PG Isaiah Fuller (Mercury Elite 17U)
Fuller was great again! We liked him in the spring and since switching over to Mercury Elite in July he has continued to elevate his game. This OPRF lead guard is best at using his speed to get out in the open floor and get to the rim. Blow by speed both in the half court and transition. Has a knack for finishing well at the rim. Fuller is also a solid defender at the point of attack and sound passer. Low-major/D2 prospect.
SG Eddie Creal (Hoops4Health 17U)
Creal played big in their victory over Hoopers Basketball Club. The Romeoville shooting guard is a big and physical wing that is a plus plus athlete. Most of his game plays off his raw athleticism getting out with dunks in transition along with explosive slashes to the hoop. The area that impressed us most was the improved consistency on his jumper. Creal drilled four or five jump shots in the big game including looking extremely comfortable from 15-18 feet pulling up off the bounce. He was a beast on the offensive glass winning 50/50 balls on a consistent basis. Creal needs to be on the low-major radar and is a no brainer at the D2 level.
SG Malachi Smith (Jets-Ramey United 17U)
Smith is a powerful wing from Belleville West High School. He has the ability to get to the rim and finish through contact. Some have questioned his jump shot this month and in one of his last AAU games he answered those concerns by hitting an array of mid-range shots and threes. Smith is a born scorer that will be able to do that at the low to mid-major level in college.
PG Chris Pugh (Team Illinois 17U)
This Bloomington 6’1” point guard went off in one early morning game we caught finishing with 23 points. He also hit the game winning shot on a sick step back. He is a scoring point guard that gets in the lane with his speed and explosive first step. Made a living finishing at the rim and through contact. Struggled as a free throw shooter. He is a quality small college scoring guard.
SG Quinlan Bennett (Kessel Heat 17U)
Bennett is a player that has had a solid July. He is a fluid athlete that makes things look easy on the floor. The Proviso East 2018 shooting guard has the ability to score at multiple levels, but is most comfortable working in the mid-range where he has a lethal jump shot. Showed he can attack off the bounce at a good clip as well. Bennett is a low-major prospect.
Third Team
C Jalen Shaw (Kessel Heat 17U)
Shaw didn’t have one dominant game, but his talent showed through during the event. This Larkin 6’10” center was the top big man at the event from Illinois. He has a great frame and upside. Still learning the game and how to play consistent every game. He showed a motor in stretches getting on the glass and flashed skill. Shaw is a guy that mid-major programs should go on with his developmental potential.
SG Anthony Lynch (Kessel Heat 17U)
Always enjoy watching Lynch play. He just goes about his business and produces. Shooting guard that likes to attack downhill and get to the rim. He handles it well and knows how to convert in the paint. A gritty kid that plays with a lot of heart and is a very underrated prospect. D2+ kid that in right system could be an effective low-major player.
C Tyler Joest (Gateway Illinois 17U)
Joest is a big man from Breese Central that is rail thin. He has length, height, and will need to add a ton of strength to play at the college level. The southern Illinois big man is intriguing because he can really shoot it as a face up five. Skilled post that stretches the floor especially on the baseline out to 18 feet consistently. Good passer as well. High end D3/NAIA guy that has some upside at that level.
SG Michael Huff (Kessel Heat 17U)
Huff is another new name that jumped on our radar with his play. The Grant High School wing is a plus shooter that let it fly over and over again from beyond the arc and was accurate. He has a quick release and sound fundamentals. Mixes in a drive every now and then. Huff had 25 points in their Saturday morning game. Sleeper small college player.
PG Jalen Hodge (Jets-Ramey United 17U)
Hodge is a point guard from O’Fallon High School that sometimes flies under the radar. This lefty just looks like a basketball player with his competitiveness, skill, and ability to shoot it. He was effective connecting on shots from deep in the game we saw. Has speed in the open floor pushing it and vision to find teammates. D2+ prospect that will be a star at that level.