Rock Classic: 2020 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 2020 Class.
SG Ramean Hinton (Team Rose 16U)
Hinton is already a top 20 prospect in the 2020 class, but he elevated his stock even more with his play over the weekend. The power wing from Curie has size and athleticism for days. Powerful getting in the lane and finishing at the cup. The area he has improved the most is his perimeter jump shot. Hinton was drilling pull up threes from all over the floor. He was really confident in his shot going down. Rugged wing also gets on the glass. Hinton plays so hard. He scored 20+ in both games we saw. Mid-majors should start to have him on their radar.
SF Jimarius Sneed (Team Rose 16U)
This 6’5” small forward from Crane burst on the radar with his play in Madison. The wing is a rangy defender that can guard multiple positions. Offensively he is best as a slasher that gets to the rim where finishes well in the paint. Pogo stick jumper with his second jump.
SF Bryce Hall (Team Rose 16U)
Hall was hidden for most of the year at Simeon with so much veteran talent, but will definitely be looked at to step up next season. Running with Team Rose this spring he is smooth with the ball, but at times can be loose with it causing it to be stripped. Hall has a tendency to drift in and out of games with his motor. When he was aggressive in the second half of one of the games we evaluated he got to the rim finishing with both hands.
SG Dan Florey (Team Rose 16U)
Florey is joining a new squad and is trying to find his place on the team. He is a skilled shooter that can hit shots off the catch. Didn’t have a lot of opportunities to do that over the weekend.
PG Elijah Pickens (Team Rose 16U)
Pickens is a quick twitched and under six foot point guard. He is more of a scoring point guard at this stage. Looks to attack off the dribble and get to the rack and can hit an occasional runner in the lane. Needs to improve as a passer at his size.
SF Demarius Splunge (Team Rose 16U)
In two full games that we evaluated this top 10 2020 prospect scored exactly two points. He has the size, athleticism, and strength to be a no doubt mid-major prospect and with the graduation of everyone from Orr it is his team next year. Splunge looked completely disinterested and played with no motor on either end of the floor. He has a world of talent, but will need to elevate his game a lot to live up to it.
PF Sangolay Njie (Team Rose 16U)
Njie came on our radar last fall at the Pangos Camp. The 6’6” power forward is built like a truck and has solid athleticism. He struggled to get much done in the two games that we saw. Rebounded ok, but was far from dominant. Needs to define who he is as a player.
PG Daveon Rogers (Team Rose 16U)
Rogers is a small point guard that shined on Saturday as a scorer. Hit an array of jumpers and step back shots.
SF Jayden Johnson (Fundamental U 16U)
Big fan of what this top 10 2020 wing brings to the table. He will never jump off the floor at you athletically, but he is just so skilled. Johnson is a 6’4” wing that can really shoot the basketball from the perimeter. Outstanding shooter particularly off the catch. Johnson lets it fly from deep with a lot of confidence. Can also shot fake and finish in the lane with a runner. Competes on the glass. He was pretty consistent scoring in the upper teens all weekend except for his last game where he struggled. Johnson should be on the mid-major radar in 2020.
PG Luke Scheffers (Fundamental U 16U)
Scheffers is a 6’1” point guard that handles the ball well and can get in the lane for layups. Also is an outstanding drive and kick distributor. Pushes it in transition. Sound pull up jump shooter stopping and popping from mid-range.
C Michael Huene (Fundamental U 16U)
Hune has size at 6’8”. He opened our eyes during the winter with St. Viator with his efficiency around the hoop. Size and length combination out of this post. Not the most fluid athlete. Works well in the high low and is a skilled passer.
SF Josh Preston (Fundamental U 16U)
Preston is from Geneva. The 6’2” forward is a tough wing that has a solid skill level. Not a great athlete, but gets the most out of his ability with his basketball smarts.
SF Connor Kochera (Fundamental U 16U)
Kochera stands at 6’4” from St. Viator. The wing is just a tough and gritty small forward that is efficient with his touches around the hoop. He gets on the offensive glass for put backs. When taking his man off the dribble he is most effective on straight line drives. Sound passer. He had 18 points. Small college prospect.
SG Uchenna Egekeze (Fundamental U 16U)
Egekeze is the younger brother of former Huntley and Belmont standout Amanze Egekeze. They are different players. This 2020 prospect is more of a wing with a long and angular frame at 6’3”. He has a nose for the basketball always being in the right spot to make a play. Has a bit of a funky release, but drilled two threes. Moves well without the ball. Gets on the glass and is a sound passer. Great glue guy with some upside! Right now projects as a small college player, but if he grows could become a D2 prospect.
SF Christian Shumate (Chicago Lockdown 16U)
Shumate is uber bouncy 6’5” small forward that’s game lives off his athleticism and ability to get to the rim. The Plainfield East 2020 prospect has long strides attacking off the bounce and is explosive in the lane finishing with spin moves or just going right after the rim. Really like how aggressive he is taking the ball to the cup. Quick and assertive moves. Efficient on his takes. Play so hard! Shumate needs to improve his jump shot to round out his offensive game. Did hit one three, but that isn’t a strength in his game at this stage. Projects well defensively with his length, toughness, and anticipation. He had 17 points in a win. Shumate projects as a low-major prospect at this stage.
PG Grant Niego (Chicago Lockdown 16U)
This Lyons Township 6’1” point guard is a leader at the point guard position. Gets others involved with his passing particularly in the half court. Capable jump shooter.
PG Connor Glennon (Chicago Lockdown 16U)
Glennon is the heart and soul of this team. The 5’10” Brother Rice guard has off the charts competitiveness and is fiery as the leader. He is vocal on both ends of the court encouraging his teammates and putting them in the right places. Glennon takes it to the hoop off the bounce going through bigger defenders converting or getting to the line. Crisp passer.
SG Nick Smoldt (Chicago Lockdown 16U)
Smoldt is a projectable 6’2” forward from Plainfield East. The sophomore had a nice baseline take. Wasn’t overly productive, but shows some potential.
SF DeAndre Hagan (Chicago Lockdown 16U)
Hagan stands at 6’4” from Brother Rice. The forward has a nose for the basketball seemingly always being right there to make a play. He is a lefty with long arms and a thick upper body. He rebounds well and is a tough post defender. Versatile junk yard dog player.
PF Ryan Isaacson (Chicago Lockdown 16U)
This 6’7” four man has legit size and showed that he could stretch the floor some by hitting a corner three. Struggled finishing around the hoop with his lack of strength.