Rock Classic: 2019 Evals Pt 2
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 2 of our look at the 2019 Class.
PG Jeremiah Washington (Young & Reckless 16U)
Washington is a quick and shifty point guard with speed to burn. Against D1 Minnesota Washington used that to breakdown a defense off the bounce with his killer handle. Consistently got in the lane. He also proved to be a plus jump shooter off the bounce stopping and popping on a dime multiple times for three. Also can get others involved with quick passes in the paint. Low-major D1 player at the college level.
PF Dechaun Anderson (Young & Reckless 17U)
Anderson is a physical four man that is built like a college defensive lineman. He is a beast on the glass getting put backs for the majority of his points. Also has solid hands converting dump off passes from his guards. Tough interior post defender. Anderson is a junk yard dog four at the D2 level at this stage. Will see how his skill level evolves this spring.
SF Jeremiah Hernandez (Young & Reckless 17U)
Hernandez is a top 15 prospect in the 2019 class in Illinois out of St. Viator. The 6’4” wing caught an alley-oop to begin the game we evaluated him. He has a skilled offensive game which allows him to finish in transition and hit a shot from three. At times he played too much one on one and had some turnovers because of that. I love this kids passing ability and would like to see him use that more as it is one of his strengths. Mid-major prospect.
SF Keenan Jones (Young & Reckless 17U)
Jones is a rangy 6’5” combo forward that is a utility guy. He is a guy that flashes, but isn’t consistently productive. Best as a pull up jump shooter from mid-range that can also stretch to three. Runs the floor in transition where his athleticism can shine. Big summer ahead for Jones defining who he is as a player. D2 upside here.
PG Artese Stapleton (Young & Reckless 17U)
Stapleton is a thin and wiry point guard that we were high on after his play last July. He struggled a bit with injuries and inconsistency during the high school season at Kenwood, but he definitely has D1 ability. Stapleton is a slick handling lead guard that is shifty with the ball in his hands. Gets in the lane when he wants driving to the cup for layups and finishes through contact despite his thin build. Solid passer in the open floor pushing it up the court. Just an average perimeter shooter. At times can be too passive. When engaged in the game he is a dynamic playmaker. Low-majors should monitor him in the live periods.
PG Chris Roberts (Young & Reckless 17U)
Roberts did nothing in the first half of Y&R’s game that we saw on Saturday night. Then he completely flipped the script putting on a show in the second half. He is a scoring point guard that is SO FAST! He attacks downhill. Began things by going coast to coast on back to back possessions. It was on after that! Roberts is a bit wild with the ball at times, but you can live with that with what he brings to the table. He got to the rim at will scoring on an array of and-1s and spin moves in the paint. Didn’t show much in the way of a jumper, but he got his team the comeback win with his scoring. Roberts had 18 points. Followed that up on Sunday with an 18 point outing against Team Rose where he showed a little more as a point guard. Roberts has mid-major upside and is a solid low-major player.
G Trey Boston (Young & Reckless 17U)
Boston is a scoring combo guard with some strength. He struggled a bit with turnovers and consistency. Finding his way on this new team. Had a couple strong takes to the hoop and hit a nice step back three. Just an ok weekend out of this D2 prospect.
SG Justin Eagins (Young & Reckless 17U)
Eagins is a 6’2” lefty that is primarily a sniper from the perimeter. He is a spot up shooter that destroys opponents with his shot off dribble penetration of his point guard when they leave him open. Quick and concise release. Didn’t show much else in his game. D2 player.
PF Dovydas Pinskus (Young & Reckless 17U)
New name to add to the radar is this 6’6” four man from De La Salle. Wasn’t overly productive, but there are some things to work with as he has size and skill potential. The lefty is a solid athlete that can put it on the deck a little facing up. Projects as a face up four man that needs to improve as a shooter.
G Malik Tidwell (Young & Reckless 17U)
Tidwell is a sub six foot scoring point guard. He scores with aggressive takes to the hoop and threes. Isn’t afraid to take it right at the opponent. Likes to use a runner to score over opponents. At times he can be a ball stopper and is a ball dominant guard. Would like to see him be a more unselfish passer to round out his game especially on the circuit with talented teammates around him. That will bring more value to his game. D2 player.
PF Nate Ferguson (Chicago Lockdown 17U)
Ferguson might have been the most impressive prospect we saw in Madison. The 6’7” four man from Lemont played above the rim like I had never seen him do before. Ferguson has always been looked at as a skilled four that could score on the block and face up. Saturday night he put on an air show with his thunderous slams! Ferguson showed incredible explosion and pop off the floor that we weren’t expecting. He played aggressive and with authority. Ferguson has added 15 pounds of strength over the last year and has filled out his frame. That has allowed him to be an above the rim post. His most impressive finish was catching a full court alley oop. Blocked shots defensively. Didn’t really shoot it in this one instead attacking with his dribble. Finished with 23 points. If Ferguson plays like this in the live period he will see his recruitment soar to the mid-major level.
PF Jackson Tanner (Chicago Lockdown 17U)
Tanner stands at about 6’7” and plays physical around the hoop. He is a quality offensive rebounder getting multiple put backs in the game we saw. The Latin big man also was effective as a post defender anchoring and making it tough for opponents to score inside by keeping his arms high and giving them difficult angles to get the shot off. Small college post at this stage.
PG Demari Grant (Chicago Lockdown 17U)
Grant is a name to watch this spring and summer. He is coming off a year at Bolingbrook where he contributed as the fourth guard on a quality Raiders squad. Fast guard that gets it up the floor in the transition game. Has the ability to take it to the rim himself or find other teammates. Made sound decisions with the rock hitting teammates for buckets including a full length alley oop to Nate Ferguson. In the lane he scores with acrobatic layups and runners. Grant is a small college player with D2 upside.
SF Trevon Jones (Chicago Lockdown 17U)
Jones emerged on our radar out of Richards over the holiday’s midway through his junior year. He is a thick built kid at about 6’4”. For Lockdown he played mostly on the interior crashing the glass and finishing on junk points inside. D3 or NAIA prospect.