Scouting O’Fallon Shootout: 2016 Prospects Part 1
PrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance from start to finish at the Bank of O’Fallon Shootout. The event featured some of the top prospects in the state in a variety of classes. Here we break down part one of the prospects in…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingPrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance from start to finish at the Bank of O’Fallon Shootout. The event featured some of the top prospects in the state in a variety of classes. Here we break down part one of the prospects in the class of 2016.
PG Charlie Moore (Morgan Park – 2016)
Moore put on a show for the southern Illinois fans. In reality it was just a solid game for those of us who have seen him over the years, but he really was a crowd pleaser. The Memphis commit got to the rim throughout the night beating anyone who tried to check him with relative ease. Finished with high flying layups where he shielded the ball from his defenders. He was unguardable in one on one situations and attacked strong off ball screens. Pushed the tempo in transition with his speed and vision. Moore’s perimeter shot wasn’t falling, but it didn’t matter because he got wherever he wanted on the floor and flipped turnovers into points in the blink of an eye. He had 25 points (9-18 FG), 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. Leader for Mr. Basketball and remains the state’s top senior prospect.
PG Jarrin Randall (Morgan Park – 2016)
Efficient game for one of the state’s top senior guards. Randall only hit one of his patented threes, but was still productive. The sharp shooter beat the defense with his speed in transition and getting in the lane for scores. Randall has been the perfect complement to Charlie Moore in the Mustangs backcourt. He knows how to play the game and makes the right play most of the time. Randall went for 13 points (5-8 FG). He is headed to Western Michigan.
SG Jamal Burton (Morgan Park – 2016)
Another big game for Burton. The 6’3” shooting guard plays with as much intensity and motor as anyone in the state of Illinois. Burton is an elite athlete that flies around using his speed and hops to make plays all over. Nose for the basketball. He rebounds at a high rate on both ends of the floor with his second jump ability. Best getting out in transition where he can use his physical gifts. Struggled at times guarding Sneed and the perimeter shot wasn’t falling, but all in all it was a productive game for the unsigned senior going for 13 points and 12 rebounds. Needs to be on the low-major/D2 radar!
SF Nick Robinson (Kenwood – 2016)
Kenwood senior small forward Nick Robinson is a versatile scorer that is continuing to round out his game. The most impressive development is the consistency on his jump shot. Robinson was knocking them in from all over the floor with confidence especially pulling up off the bounce. Can hit it from both mid-range and three. He is very comfortable working out of the mid and high post areas where he can back his man in, face up to take them off the bounce, or hit a jumper. Also sees the floor well and is a better passer than I even thought. Rebounding continues to improve as well as he snatches them out of the air. Robinson went for 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists against a very good Althoff team. After his decommitment from Indiana State the top 10 overall prospect is the best wing on the board and mid-major schools need to take a long hard look at him!
SG Zion Morgan (Kenwood – 2016)
It wasn’t a stellar showing out of one of the more talented unsigned seniors in the state. The 6’4” shooting guard played some on the ball as well. He wasn’t overly assertive and just never got in a rhythm. He knocked down a pull up three and got to the free throw line late where he racked up some points. Finished with 9 points (2-10 FG), 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. Low-major D1 prospect.
PF Nick Rakocevic (St. Joseph’s – 2016)
Another big time performance out of this year’s Mr. Double Double. The 6’11” Rakocevic was a beast on the glass all night! Particularly on the offensive end where grabbed a ridiculous 12 offensive rebounds. His second jump ability and feel for where the ball is coming off the rim continues to get better each time out. Once he adds more strength in college it will get even better. Rakocevic scored in a variety of ways on post ups, face up mid-range jumpers, got to the foul line at a high rate. He played physical against a much thicker post in CBC’s Duane Clark. Defensively his length was a factor inside. Although he missed some easy shots around the hoop he still finished with a very productive stat line going for 27 points, 18 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 blocks, and 3 steals. High major prospect and the state’s premier uncommitted senior.
C Barret Benson (Hinsdale South – 2016)
The Northwestern commit had a significant height advantage on his opponent Centralia and as the game went along he started to utilize it. Benson is a big bodied 6’10” center that understands how to post up. He gives his guards a wide target to throw the ball into, knows how to position his body, and seals off his man better than anyone in Illinois. I love how Benson keeps the ball high and doesn’t allow opponents to swipe at it. The area his game that has continued to develop greatly is his face up jump shot. It has extended from 10 feet out to 15-18 feet where he is comfortable knocking down mid-range jumpers with consistency. Defensively he has ability as a shot blocker. Would like to see him be a more consistently productive rebounder. Great pick up for Northwestern. He finished with 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
PG Brian Kern (Hinsdale South – 2016)
Kern is a combo guard at 6’2” for Hinsdale South that can play on the ball, but also slide to the two guard spot where he looks to score. Kern has wiry strength and is best attacking the hoop on straight line drives where he beats his man and goes right to the cup. Finishes well inside 5 feet with acrobatic finishes and runners. Tough kid that is an average passer at the lead guard spot. Should find a home at the D3/NAIA level.
PF Luke Davis (Dekalb – 2016)
Davis is a 6’8” 235 pound post with a big upper body. The area of his game that stands out the most is his ability to be mobile in the paint at his size. He does a great job of moving on the interior reposting and sealing his opponent off for scores. Davis shoots a high percentage from the field and has a soft touch around the basket. He is also a terrific passing big man that sees the floor both out of the high-post and on the block. Should find a home a JUCO program where he can be developed. Davis had 14 points (7-11 FG), 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.
SG Michael Pollack (Dekalb – 2016)
Impressive showing out of the Northern Michigan commit. Pollack is a 6’3” senior wing that plays with a motor. He is constantly moving without the ball to get open and set up his jump shot. Pollack is a plus shooter from both mid-range and particularly from three. He is always locked and loaded ready to fire from deep. Can hit them off the catch and pulling up. As a driver he is crafty getting in the lane. Plus rebounding guard. Pollack had 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists.
PG D’Aaron Owens (Centralia – 2016)
In my opinion this is the state’s most underrated prospect. At 5’9” his size scares some coaches away, but there is no doubt he can flat out play. Owens has a tremendous feel for the game as a distributor, but it was his scoring that was on full display at O’Fallon early. The senior opened the game with 11 points in a row. He can score in a variety of ways particularly getting in the lane off the bounce finishing with floaters and scoop shots. Perimeter jumper has also greatly improved. His vision in the half court is a major weapon hitting cutters as well as guys cross court on a regular basis for open looks. Owens had 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists against a quality Chicago team with a high major center. D2 kid in my eyes and an absolute no brainer for every single D3, NAIA, and most JUCO’s in the Midwest.
SG Tyriq Billberry (Centralia – 2016)
Billberry does what he does night in and night out. It is never flashy, but the 6’2” thick bodied two guard quietly produces. He had a few powerful drives to the hoop including one where he went baseline and finished through traffic. Also does a nice job of getting to the charity stripe where he is a good foul shooter. Billberry had 10 points. Small college prospect.