Show Me Showdown: 2020 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 2020 prospects at the event!
PF Seryee Lewis (Young & Reckless)
The jump that this Kenwood 6’7” power forward has made in the last six months is significant. He is trending toward being the top post prospect in the June Illinois 2020 rankings update. His play on Saturday showed why he deserves that distinction. Lewis played above the rim with his big time athleticism posting several monster slams. Dunked it in a variety of ways on tip dunks, transition slams, and jams on dump off passes. Even hit a mid-range jumper. Becoming a lot more assertive on the glass. Mid-major player right now.
SG Johnny Close (Young & Reckless)
Close is a lights out perimeter shooter from Rockford Boylan High School. The 2020 wing is one of the premier shooters off the catch in the state regardless of class. He has solid size and a quick release to get it off over defenders. The athleticism and ability to go around guys on occasion is starting to come around too! Low-majors and D2’s track this kid in July!
SG Keshawn Williams (Young & Reckless)
Y&R was pretty well rounded on Sunday. Williams is a bouncy two guard from Bloom that made key plays especially in the semis. He is a sound shooter off the catch. His athleticism plays well in the open floor with his speed pushing and finishing. Regularly goes coast to coast. Made the play of the game with a dramatic swat on a game tying three attempt in the corner that he swatted out of bounds ala Hakim Warrick in the 2003 title game for Syracuse. Williams is a low-major plus/mid-major minus prospect at this stage. Would like to see the lead guard skills improve at his 6’2” size.
PG Reggie Strong (Young & Reckless)
Strong is an angular point guard from Farragut who PHI has ranked in the top 10 overall in the state. I like the progression he has made his game over the last year. Strong used to be more of a score first mentality. With the players around him elevating his game he is more than willing to be a distributor getting them the ball in spots to succeed. Sound passer that is learning to run a team in the half court. Also is a plus defender that has very active hands getting multiple steals a game. Mid-major prospect.
SG Josh Holmes (Young & Reckless)
Holmes is a two guard from Jones College Prep. He flies a bit under the radar to casual fans going to a non-traditional basketball school, but this kid has game! He is a rangy wing that can shoot it off the catch when left open and mixes in scores in transition. Also like what he brings to the table as a defender in the backcourt. Low-major player.
PF Kendale Anderson (Young & Reckless)
Anderson like his older brother is a grown man! The physical 6’5” power forward has unbelievable strength in his body and is a beast rebounder. Snatches rebounds in traffic and clears space with his elbows including one time drilling a kid in the gut for a knockout punch. D2 prospect that needs to improve offensively.
SF Bryce Hall (Young & Reckless)
Hall is a wing from Simeon that should see significant minutes for the Wolverines this upcoming high school season. He has a scorer’s mentality as he likes to get out in transition for buckets. Struggles with his consistency game in and game out and making mental mistakes. Talented player that sometimes needs to play more within the team concept.
PF Shontrail Key (Young & Reckless)
Key is a big bodied post that rebounds well within his area. He scores mostly on dump offs and offensive rebound put backs. Would like to see the motor run higher consistently. Small college big man with upside.
SG Kevin Drumgoole (Young & Reckless)
Drumgoole might have had the best game we have seen him play on Sunday. The wing got out in transition and scored quite a bit as a wing finisher. He also connected on a couple of jump shots. Small college wing.
SF Robert Postma (Young & Reckless)
Postma is a new name that has emerged in recent weeks. The Whitney Young small forward has the ability to space the floor with his perimeter jump shot. He can drill threes especially from the corners off the catch. Also was an active offensive rebounder going for a few tip ins. D3 prospect at this time.
PG Alex Wood (Young & Reckless)
Wood is one of the more underrated point guards in the class that doesn’t get talked about enough. The Normal U-High point guard is a high IQ player that runs the team and gets others involved. Excellent decision maker with the ball in his hands. Can score it as well getting in the lane and to the foul line on drives. Capable of hitting open three point shots. D2’s and low-majors keep an eye on this kid.