Show Me Showdown: 2019 Evals Pt 2
PrepHoopsIllinois covered the Show Me Showdown over the weekend in St. Louis. Time to breakdown the prospects from the Land of Lincoln in the last event of the spring. Here is part two of our evaluations of the 2019 prospects at the event!
G Nate Duckworth (Illinois Warhawks)
Duckworth is a combo guard at 6’0” that hails from Normal West. He did a nice job directing the offense with crisp passes and is definitely a vocal leader on the floor. What Duckworth does best is shoot it from the perimeter. He is a sound three point threat that can hit them both pulling up and off the catch. Shoots it with a lot of confidence. Really helped his stock over the weekend. Duckworth is a high level D3/NAIA player.
PG Bryson Cowper (Illinois Warhawks)
This Champaign Centennial 5’10” point guard also made noise shooting the basketball. The guard drilled multiple corner threes to open the contest and would hit several more as the game went along. Should be a sharp shooter during next high school season in central Illinois. Worth tracking for small colleges.
SG Donzell Johnson (Illinois Warhawks)
Johnson is a strong and athletic wing from Bloomington. The 2019 wing started off in dominant fashion in the 17U title. He opened by drilling shots from all over the floor. Known as more of a slasher this was a very impressive development. He was confident hitting pull up jumpers from mid-range and three. Also got to the rim with powerful drives. Little big undersized at 6’2” for the wing, but makes up for it with his athleticism and mentality. Upside small college player.
SG Payton Sheen (Illinois Warhawks)
This Urbana two guard opened eyes over the weekend with his ability to shoot it from deep. Skilled two guard that is best a shooter from beyond the arc. He also mixed in a couple tough runners and got on the glass well for a guard. D3/NAIA prospect.
SF Terance Fisher (Illinois Warhawks)
Fisher opened our eyes with his physical play on the wing. The Normal West 6’4” wing can shoot it off movement and plays well in transition with his strength and athleticism. Flashed as a defender as well. Small college player.
C Adrian Gutierrez (Chicago Select)
This Minooka big man is a huge body on the interior. At this point the value that he brings to the table are his area rebounding and clogging the lane in the middle. Snatched boards throughout. Not an athletic prospect, but considering how big he is Gutierrez moves well for his size. Offensively he did hit one mid-range jumper, but isn’t a huge offensive threat at this stage. D3/NAIA big man.
SF Solomon Oraegbu (Chicago Select)
Oraegbu made his debut with Chicago Select over the weekend. The small forward is a wing that has strength on the perimeter. His game is predicated on his toughness and transitions game. Gets most of his points as a wing finisher. Small college player.
C Taeyon Neal (Chicago Select)
Neal is another big bodied post with great height. He had a couple powerful dunks including sealing off his man in the high/low game on one find. I like how he is being more aggressive with his moves and not waiting for the defense. Solid rebounder. Not the greatest athlete and conditioning will need to improve. See him as an upside D2 post.
PG Tim Ervin (Chicago Select)
Ervin is a tiny point guard from Providence St. Mel. His value comes with his speed in the transition game pushing it up the floor in a hurry. Can hit a three when given space. Struggled finishing inside. Small college guard.
F Jason Mason (Chicago Select)
This Providence St. Mel forward is intriguing with his length and mobility as an undersized four man that can play some combo forward at times. He was excellent getting on the offensive glass for put backs. Quickness inside and a good second jump allows him to make second chance plays for his team. Mason flashed a right handed hook shot and made several effective passes in the paint. Love his upside as a D3/NAIA combo forward.
SG Elijah Stewart (Chicago Select)
Stewart is a born scorer. The two guard gets downhill and finishes with acrobatics at the cup. Plays well in transition getting up and down the floor both with the ball in his hands and as a wing finisher. Lack of size at the two guard spot will hurt him some. He is a small college player that D2’s need to keep tabs on in July.
SF Deion Jackson (Chicago Select)
Jackson is a rangy small forward that has length. He loves to attack with his long strides getting to the hoop from beyond the arc in a couple dribbles. Converted multiple and-1 opportunities. He has a very slow release on his jump shot. Small college wing with upside.
SG Tyriel Nelson (Chicago Select)
Nelson really likes to play at this facility in the STL. He went off at this same place several weeks back. The Providence St. Mel wing had another solid outing on Sunday. He was very aggressive attacking off the bounce. The wiry two guard is slippery through traffic getting to the hoop. He was excellent scoring in transition. Small college player.
PF Danardo Jones (Chicago Select)
Although he isn’t the most productive player at this stage this Timothy Christian forward might have the most upside of anyone that played for Chicago Select over the weekend. He has a strong frame and is an elite level athlete! Jones plays above the rim with thunderous slams and big blocks. He isn’t consistent with it at this stage. D2s should monitor him as he could come on strong over the next six months.