CEC: 2018 Evaluations Pt 2
This past weekend PrepHoopsIllinois was in the house for coverage of the Chicago Elite Classic. We have given you our 5 Best Game stories, Standouts from each day, and now it is time for the massive scouting report of 65+ players. We begin with the prospects in 2018 with part two of our look at the seniors from Illinois at the event.
SG Javon Freeman (Whitney Young – 2018)
Freeman was the clear go to player for the Dolphins and it looks like he will be that throughout the season. The Valpo commit performed well in front of his future coaching staff. He was limited to only 15 minutes because of foul trouble, but while in the game did major damage. Caught a pair of alley-oops that he put in. Freeman is at his best when he is slashing to the rim taking quality angles and finishing around the hoop efficiently. Hit one mid-range jumper. Freeman also got to the line at a very high rate on his drives. He is going to be an all-conference type player for Valpo. Went for 22 points (6-8 FG) (10-12 FT).
PG Xavier Castaneda (Whitney Young – 2018)
The South Florida commit struggled in their game at the Chicago Elite Classic. He was best as a distributor with a couple drive and kick passes and a nice alley-oop. Also had four turnovers in the contest. Didn’t shoot it from the perimeter much, but struggled inside 15 feet to connect at an efficient rate shooting 3-9 from the field for 7 points. Remains a top 10 prospect and a solid get for USF.
SG Justin Boyd (Whitney Young – 2018)
Boyd is a rangy 6’2” shooting guard that at the next level will be asked to be a spot up shooter. That part of his game wasn’t there against Vashon going 0-3 from deep. He was the most active we have seen him in a long time on both ends of the floor. Particularly getting on the offensive glass was effective part of his play at the CEC. Recorded five offensive boards. Good athlete that could turn into a plus defender. He went for 10 points and 13 rebounds. Should be on the D2 radar.
SF Talen Horton-Tucker (Simeon – 2018)
The Iowa State commit was solid, but not spectacular in their win against Chaminade. THT looks to be in the best shape of his career as he has slimmed down even more and looked more athletic than we saw him in July. He drilled a few triples with a clean looking stroke from three. At times he fell a bit in love with the three ball going 3-11 from deep. He is at his best making crafty moves with the ball in his hands where he can finish in the paint. Also a quality wing rebounder especially on the offensive glass cleaning up for put backs. He had 21 points (8-21 FG) and 11 rebounds. The Cyclones are getting a difference maker from day one!
SG Zion Young (Simeon – 2018)
Young is a 6’3” physical wing that played a lot on the frontline in their game. Made some plays in transition with his big time athleticism. Can finish above the rim with his strength through traffic. Also hit a mid-range jumper. Got to the foul line where he was a perfect 4-4. The top 15 prospect is one of the top available players in the state. He had 10 points (3-5 FG) in his first game with the Wolverines. Projects as a low-major prospect with mid-major upside.
PF Messiah Jones (Simeon – 2018)
Jones is a super bouncy four man that is a bit undersized, but makes plays with his athleticism and energy on the glass. It wasn’t the usual dominant performance on the glass we are used to seeing only recording four boards. Scored on some put backs and an alley-oop. Good finisher especially when others create for him. Did a nice job guarding Hellems when he had that role using his length to force him into bad shots. Jones had 8 points (3-5 FG). Will be a great piece for the future at Drake.
PG Xavier Pinson (Simeon – 2018)
Pinson is one of the top uncommitted point guards in the senior class. The rangy lead guard is coming off a big summer where he saw his recruitment pick up. He committed to Kent State before decommitting just a week later. This was his first game with Simeon and was only cleared the day before so he also came off the bench for the Wolverines. Hit one mid-range pull up early and then went ice cold shooting it. Really struggled shooting the basketball which is usually one of his strengths. Couldn’t score from anywhere on the floor. Made a few nice passes for assists. He had 5 points (1-9 FG) and 3 dimes. Low-major prospect.
SG Kenny Pittman (Simeon – 2018)
Pittman is a shooter with size on the perimeter. His shot was not falling in this game as he went 0-4 from three and struggled to create his own offense beyond that. Like what he brought to the table defensively getting four steals using his length and anticipation. Despite a poor shooting night we still like him as a potential D2 prospect with his ability to shoot the basketball.
SF Bakari Simmons (Simeon – 2018)
Simmons started for the Wolverines on opening night. Projectable lefty with length and solid athleticism. Simmons just isn’t an overly productive player at this point. He went 0-3 from the field and recorded a handful of rebounds. Best pushing it in the open floor and is actually a solid passer for a wing. Would be a nice fit at the D3/NAIA level.
SG Tim Finke (Champaign Central – 2018)
The state’s #4 2018 prospect flashed what he can do up in Chicago, but also took a lot of shots to do it. It was clear that Morgan Park’s entire defensive mindset was around stopping the Grand Canyon commit. Usually a solid shooter he struggled from deep only going 1-8 from beyond the arc. Got to the foul line at a decent clip especially getting hammered in transition a few times. Did hit a couple tough shots including a fade away and had a sweet hook shot. It is tough to stop Ayo, but he definitely competed once again defensively especially contesting his mid-range shots and making him work for his points. Finke had 18 points on (5-18 FG).
SG A’Kieon Gill (Champaign Central – 2018)
Gill is a prospect that has put himself on our radar with his play early in the season. The 6’3” shooting guard looks like a sleeper D3/NAIA prospect that will see his stock rise in the next rankings update. Passes it very well for a wing and pushes the rock in the open floor. He did have some turnovers, but through he also made some high level passes against a very good defensive team. As a scorer he is best slashing especially on the baseline for buckets. Hit one three with a straight line drive shot. Rebounds and is active on the defensive end getting deflections and steals. He had 11 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals.
SG Jaden Aikens (Champaign Central – 2018)
Aikens got it going early for Champaign Central in their game. Strongly built two guard that mixes it up on the inside getting on the glass and having quick finishes inside. Capable of hitting an occasional three. Not an overly explosive player, but he just knows how to get stuff done! Small college wing had 9 points and 7 rebounds.
SG Jonte Coleman (Champaign Central – 2018)
Coleman is a perimeter shooting threat for Champaign Central. Clean looking stroke that can be streaky at times, but also shoot you back in a game. Quality wing passer. He had 11 points (4-11 FG) and 7 rebounds. D3/NAIA prospect.
SG RJ McGee (Kenwood – 2018)
McGee is stepping into the role as the go to scorer for Kenwood this season. He struggled a bit in their opener a few days ago, but was on point against Gray Collegiate out of South Carolina. McGee stands at 6’5” with strength and athleticism. Looked the most confident that we have seen him. Shot the ball well from the perimeter drilling 5-6 from beyond the arc. Clean looking shooting stroke with elevation off the floor. Mixed in some finishes in transition and baseline takes off the bounce. McGee was efficient with his shots and looked like a no brainer D2 prospect with low-major potential if he keeps playing like this. He had 25 points (9-11 FG), 4 rebounds, and 3 assists.
SF Naseer Turner (Kenwood – 2018)
Turner is a prospect that is looking to breakout this year and establish himself as a no doubt D2+ player that could sneak into low-major looks. Projectable wing that has gotten stronger in his upper body over the last year. At the CEC he finished well inside and also got on the glass at a nice clip including three offensive rebounds. Upside prospect that we will be tracking closely this year. He had 14 points.