Rock Classic: 2019 Evals Pt 1
PrepHoopsIllinois had tons of coverage over the weekend from the Rock Spring Classic in Madison, Wisconsin. Now it is time for evaluations of all the prospects at the event. Here is part 1 of our look at the 2019 Class.
PF Spencer Boehm (Fundamental U 17U)
Boehm is a high academic post from New Trier that stands at 6’8”. He is a low post presence with his ability to finish with sound footwork, a soft touch, and crafty moves on the block. Can use a little power every now and then as well to finish through his man. Boehm can finish with both hands around the rim. Runs the floor well. Capable offensive rebounder. Projects as a great Ivy League prospect.
C Alex Timmerman (Fundamental U 17U)
The first aspect that needs to be noted when it comes to this 6’8” Crystal Lake post is how much better his body and conditioning have improved. He is absolutely in the best shape of his career. Skilled low post threat that can score with hook shots and carves out deep post position. Crafty low post presence. Excellent footwork down low. Rebounds well crashing the glass on both ends. He isn’t best athlete at this stage. Liked the progress a lot that we saw out of Timmerman. He is a D2 prospect at this stage.
PG JR Cison (Fundamental U 17U)
Cison is a tough and gritty 6’0” point guard that is just a gamer. He has a high level of competitiveness to his game. Quick getting in the lane and makes passes inside to his teammates for layups. Offensively he is best working in the mid-range as a scorer with his pull up game. Cison projects as a D2 prospect right now.
SG Myles Baker (Team Rose 17U)
Baker was outstanding in Madison. Was aggressive taking the ball to the hoop and not settling for jumpers on Saturday. He attacked downhill off the bounce and in the open floor. Best I have seen him get to the rim consistently in his career. Then on Sunday he shot lights out from deep drilling five triples in one game shooting it with a lot of confidence. Crashed the glass and pushed it the other way. Was particularly effective in the drive/kick game as a passer. Mid-major player in the 2019 class.
PG Kejuan Clements (Team Rose 17U)
Clements is ready for the next step in his career. New travel team this spring and next year the keys to the Simeon Wolverines are his. The combo guard showed off his full game! He hit pull up jump shots including hitting one where he crossed his man then drilled it in his face. Clements also got to the rack using his strength to finish in traffic. Passed it with crisp dishes particularly in the half court finding his teammates for quality shots. He was a beast defensively with his anticipation creating turnovers that his team capitalized on at the other end. Looked the part of a mid-major point guard.
SG Dajuan Gordon (Team Rose 17U)
Gordon is a long and rangy 6’4” shooting guard that has a lot of projectability. Size, frame, and athleticism are all boxes he checks off. Gordon got out in the open floor where he was a tough cover being so athletic with his ability to fill the lane as a wing finisher or beat them off the bounce. He has a nice euro step in the lane. Gordon can really shoot it from three off the catch being particularly fond of the corners especially. What might have been the most impressive is how well he rebounded throughout the event crashing the glass from the perimeter. Mid-major prospect.
PF Dylan West (Team Rose 17U)
This Hillcrest 6’8” power forward has a strong upper body. He is most effective getting on the offensive glass for put backs. Did that consistently throughout the weekend cleaning up second chance opportunities. That is how he scored 80% of his points. Brings some potential defensively as a post defender. Not the highest level athlete, but is adequate. Small college or D2 player.
SF Kameron Battle (Team Rose 17U)
This was my first time seeing this Oswego East forward play. He stands at 6’6” and is the son of former Illini standout Kenny Battle. Excellent rebounder with an explosive second jump. When he was playing well Battle shined as an offensive rebounder with put backs. High pointed rebounds on both ends of the floor with his springy legs. Flashed a little perimeter skill. We look forward to following his development.
PG Treavon Hamilton (Team Rose 17U)
Hamilton is a 5’10” guard that is listed as a point guard, but plays quite a bit off the ball. He is best as a spot up shooter at this stage from three. Solid shooter from deep. Needs to improve his all-around game. Solid small college player.
SG Demetrius Douglas (Team Rose 17U)
This 6’2” North Lawndale wing put himself on our radar with his play over the weekend. He is a slashing wing that has some length. Best scoring off the dribble. Can hit an occasional three, but has no lift off the floor. Douglas is a small college player at this stage.
PG Jamonte Benton (Illinois T-Wolves 17U)
Benton is a point guard from Joliet West that ran the show for the Illinois T-Wolves. He is a tough and physical guard that has range on his jumper. Drilled multiple mid-range pull ups and stretched it out to three at times. Gets to the foul line with his toughness in the lane. Solid passer that finds teammates in the paint. Small college player at the next level.
SG Omar Truner (Illinois T-Wolves 17U)
Truner lit it up from three for the T-Wolves in their Saturday afternoon game. The 6’0” shooting guard drilled four triples in the first half including banking one in. In a short sample size looked to be a quality shooter. Didn’t bring much else to the table. Small college prospect.