2018 July Stock Risers
July is the time to shine for prospects! It is one of their last prime time showcases to perform in front of college coaches. Let’s take a look at 10 players that we personally saw who were stock risers in July from the 2018 class.
PG Xavier Pinson (Mac Irvin Fire NY2LA – Simeon)
Pinson had some momentum coming into the month after a strong spring. He continued to play well leading his team to the NY2LA Association championship game during the first live period. He is a smooth and slick point guard that is tough to stay in front of from a defensive stand point. He has really improved his feel for getting others involved in the half court and can hit a three on occasion. He is being pursued by a variety of D1 programs.
PG Isaiah Fuller (Mercury Elite – OPRF)
Fuller had a good spring with another squad and then switched over to play with Mercury for the final month. The speedy Oak Park River Forest point guard used his quickness and speed to breakdown defenses especially in transition where he regularly blew past defenders for scores at the rim. Fuller is an under the radar player that is now on the LM/D2 radar.
PG Kevin Caldwell (Jets-Ramey United – Alton)
Caldwell won our MVP for the Next Level Invitational to start the month. This Alton High School point guard has always been solid in our evals of him, but he never really stood out. He did that week in Milwaukee. Caldwell shot it the best we have ever seen him from three throughout the event. Compact point guard that has a burst off the bounce. Probably best as a D2+ prospect that has LM potential in the right fit.
PG Alex Casieri (Wisconsin Playground Warriors – Deerfield)
Casieri impressed us with his play at both the High Academic Showcase and with his travel team. The Deerfield point guard is a high IQ floor general that has a tremendous feel for the game. Makes sound decisions with the ball especially in the half court finding teammates for easy buckets. Casieri is also an adequate three point shooter. Expect some D2 programs to take a look. If not he will be an impact D3/NAIA prospect.
SG Anthony Lynch (Kessel Heat – Larkin)
Lynch has become Mr. Consistent on the circuit. Ever since last season when Christian Negron went down with a knee injury for his high school team he has stepped up to the challenge. With Lynch you have to love the competitiveness he plays with and how tough he is attacking downhill. The shooting guard takes it at his man and finishes well around the rim through contact. Jump shot is effective from mid-range and he is a willing passer. Low-major prospect.
SG Eddie Creal (Hoops4Health – Romeoville)
Creal took his game up another notch in July with Hoops4Health. The Romeoville transfer is a strong and athletic two guard that plays above the rim and loves to get out in transition to finish. He played his best in big games taking it right at the defense attacking downhill and finishing at the rim. The development in his skill game especially his jump shot started to show throughout the month as well. He shot it at a much better clip than we had seen out of him in the past. Low-major prospect in our eyes.
SG Kenyon Duling (Caron Butler Elite – Morgan Park)
Duling is a tough and hard-nosed wing from Morgan Park that on his high school team has flown under the radar with all the star power they had on last year’s team. He found the perfect fit for him playing with Caron Butler Elite on the travel team circuit and that has turned into a pair of D1 scholarship offers. What Duling brings to the table is toughness and competitiveness. He is a physical wing that goes right after his man, gets on the glass, and will not be outworked.
SF Zion Griffin (Hoopers Basketball Club – Hinsdale South)
Griffin was obviously the most notable stock riser of the month. The Hinsdale South product went from ranked #13 post spring to likely a spot in the top 3 to 5 overall in the next update. The 6’6” forward proved his wing skills both slashing and shooting the rock against a high level of competition including going off for huge games against multiple EYBL and UAA teams. His athleticism and ability to score in volume made him blow up as a clear high-major player after the last weekend in July.
SF Jake Wolfe (Illinois Wolves – Aurora Christian)
Wolfe is just a kid that is consistent game in and game out. The Aurora Christian wing isn’t going to wow you, but he just gets stuff done. Tough wing that can slash it, shoot it off the catch, and is a quality wing rebounder. He was one of the leading scorers and rebounders for the Wolves throughout the month of July. Low-major programs and D2’s should take a long hard look at this kid!
C Gabe Bergeron (Fundamental U – Dundee Crown)
We were extremely impressed with Bergeron at the High Academic Showcase in mid-July. He stands at 6’8” with broad shoulders and great mobility. Runs the floor great as he can catch a pass and dunk it all in one motion. On the block he is efficient with his touches using skilled post moves to score. High points rebounds and has some bounce which could make in a rim protector down the road. D2 priority guy in our opinion and if he has a breakout high school season it wouldn’t shock us to see him get some low-major attention.