Best Available: 2018 Centers
The senior seasons have concluded for the class of 2018. Now it is time for them to focus on their futures in college. For many that means taking visits and making a call. Others there is still work to be done playing in unsigned senior showcases or this spring on the travel team circuit to try to get more attention from college coaches. We recently released our final 2018 rankings. With that being said we are breaking down the Best Available at each position in the state. Here are the top unsigned centers on the board!
Jalen Shaw (Larkin)
Level Projection: JUCO
Travel Team: Kessel Heat
Shaw is the top available post on the board in the state of Illinois. He has great size and length for the college level. Offensively he can score on the block, hits an occasional jumper, and runs the floor well. Defensively he swats shots and rebounds well. Coveted junior college post prospect with his size, physical tools, and potential.
Gabe Bergeron (Dundee Crown)
Level Projection: D2
Travel Team: Fundamental U
Bergeron is a 6’8” post that has length and broad shoulders. Good athlete that is mobile and runs the floor well for a post. Rim runner in the open floor. Works well in the pick and roll setting good screens and finishing at the rack. Finishes well in the paint with quick and bouncy post moves where he gets height on his shots. Quality rebounder in and out of area.
Paul O’Leary (Lemont)
Level Projection: D2
Travel Team: Illinois Stars
Big and physical center that in the second half of his senior season started to show he is back to his old form after his injury late in the summer. Great size and strength. Anchors well in the paint. Area rebounder. Tough positional defender.
Mick Sullivan (Marmion Academy)
Level Projection: D3
Travel Team: Illinois Wolves
At 6’9” he has a strong build and plays with physicality. Not a great athlete, but has solid footwork. Sullivan can step out and hit a mid-range jumper every once in a while. He especially likes the one from 15 foot on the baseline. The Marmion Academy post is an outstanding rebounder. Improving skill on the block including a jump hook.
Tyler Joest (Breese Central)
Level Projection: D3
Travel Team: Gateway Illinois
Joest is a skilled face up post that stretches the floor with his perimeter shooting. Very effective in the pick and pop hitting shots with ease. The Breese Central senior can really stroke it with a quick trigger and high release point. Definitely going to be a face up shooting big man at the next level, but shows some athleticism handling it some off the bounce from 18 feet and in.
Joey Saracco (Bolingbrook)
Level Projection: D3/JUCO
Travel Team: SYF
Good frame at 6’7” and knows his role on the team. Rebound, play defense, and when they pass you the ball in the paint put it in. Saracco has soft hands and touch around the hoop. Efficient player with his touches. Hits short jumpers and finishes dump off passes. Area rounder snatching anything near him. Not overly athletic.