Summer Jam: Wednesday Standouts
PrepHoopsIllinois opened up coverage of the NY2LA Sports Summer Jam on Wednesday night in Mequon, Wisconsin. We caught some of the best from Illinois along with quite a few national stars. Here are the standouts from night one!
Illinois Standouts
PF Karl Wright (Illinois Irish 17U)
Wednesday night was best described as the night of the dunk. That was started off by this Springfield Lanphier power forward. Wright is a slightly undersized four man that is an elite level athlete. Showed that off as soon as the coaches were walking in the door with an array of monster dunks where his head spent a lot of time above the rim! Runs the floor and is a great player to throw lobs too as he has tremendous timing catching dunks. We have always known he is a high flier so what might have been even more impressive was the perimeter skill he showed knocking down a pair of jumpers. One from mid-range and another from three. If he can add this to his game consistently over the next week his recruitment will start to take off. Nice job as a rebounder that high pointed them in traffic.
G Sean Houpt (Illinois Irish 17U)
Houpt is just a consistent performer. He was very good when we saw him a week ago at the Next Level Invitational and started off strong at Summer Jam. Houpt is a lefty combo guard that leans toward the two. He is a sound threat off the catch connecting from deep on a regular basis. Calm under pressure doing a good job of staying under control against double teams simply making the right play. Mixed in a tough finish at the cup which he gets a couple a game and was a sound perimeter defender as always.
SG Christopher Burnell (Illinois Stars 17U)
Burnell is a power two guard that got to play some on the ball and looked more comfortable doing so than in the past when we had seen him. Strong and stocky build out of this guard that loves to attack downhill. Tough cover when he gets a head of steam behind him. Came into this game with an aggressive mindset and it paid off. Connected on a variety of pull up jumpers all over the floor.
PG Traevon Brown (Illinois Stars 17U)
It took this West Aurora lead guard a while to settle into the game, but he made some huge shots late to get his team the victory. The biggest key for him is how his three point shot has become a more consistent weapon over the last year. That was evident in the second half as he drilled a trio to seal the win. Athletic guard with some developmental upside.
PG Marquise Kennedy (Illinois Wolves 17U)
Kennedy is the prospect with the most buzz in the state right now. The Brother Rice point guard played very well in Atlanta last week and picked up an array of offers because of it. Looked like he was going to go off again against CIA Bounce as he came out on fire with takes to the rim winning off the dribble with ease and making tough layups at the cup. Overall didn’t shoot it his best. I thought he did a nice job distributing getting others involved throughout the game.
SG Perry Cowan (Illinois Wolves 17U)
Cowan is a player that right now is flying a bit under the radar. Coming off a solid junior campaign at DePaul Prep this is a huge month for him with a lot of coaches in the stands. What I liked about his game on Wednesday night was how well he did the little things. Had a few aggressive takes, made sound passes, hit a corner three, got on the glass for a put back. Did a little bit of everything and didn’t settle.
F Frank Jakubicek (Illinois Wolves 16U)
This Cary Grove post has slimmed down since we last saw him in the spring it seemed. Was able to show more quickness and athleticism because of it. He finishes well around the hoop being very efficient when the ball touches his hands. Solid rebounder and can occasionally hit a mid-range jumper.
SF Terrence Shannon & Kahlil Whitney (Mac Irvin Fire 17U)
We were watching a game on the next court, but it was hard not to notice the dunk show that was going on with these two stars that attend high schools on the east coast now. Whitney has seen his national stock explode including an offer from a blue blood in the last week. He put on an absolute show dunking everything and playing so hard. Terrence Shannon was his equal however doing his usual coast to coast drives and throwing it down with a huge left handed slam. They weren’t playing the greatest team, but they didn’t let down on the primetime stage.
SF Nate Santos (Mac Irvin Fire 16U)
Santos is another prospect that has left the state as he attended Geneva last year, but opted to reclassify to 2021 and head east to prep school. This 6’8” small forward is oozing with potential. Plus plus shooter with a feathery jumper from all over the floor. Handles well in space. I thought what might have stood out the most was the way he passed it throwing several dimes right on the money in transition.
National Standouts
F Jonathan Kuminga (NY Rens 17U)
Kuminga is a top 10 2021 prospect in our eyes after the way he played at the Nike Elite 100 camp last month. He continued that momentum in Milwaukee. The 6’8” combo forward was throwing down hammer dunks in the open floor. We knew he was an outstanding athlete, but what might have impressed the most was the way he handled the ball with ease for someone his age, size, and playing against a high caliber team in KC Run GMC.
C Kofi Cockburn (NY Rens 17U)
This dude is just a load inside! At 6’11” with a huge body he is practically unguardable in one on one situations. The game is definitely going away from traditional back to the basket players, but this kid will be a star at the college level. Insanely strong moving guys all over the floor with his massive frame. Dunked it so hard. Elite level finisher and rebounder at the next level. Despite his size he actually moves fairly well. Flashed a little face up game hitting a 15 footer, but most of his damage will be done on the block.
SG Zach Harvey (KC Run GMC 17U)
Harvey had a barrage of scores every time we turned over to his court. A once top 15 type player nationally he might be undervalued somewhat now that he has fallen some in the national rankings. This kid is just born to score the basketball with quick handles and a smooth offensive repertoire.
SF Jalen Johnson (Phenom University 16U)
We close things out with the Phenom 16U guys who were very impressive. Johnson is a 6’8” point-forward that reminds me a lot of Scottie Pippen. I even heard a T-Mac comp thrown out there Wednesday night. His passing is what sets him apart from everyone that he plays. Unreal vision seeing the floor and hitting guys right on the money. Displayed his scoring game as well with a few jams and feathery pull up jumpers. Complete package for this top 10 national recruit in 2020.
PG Reece Beekman (Phenom University 16U)
Beekman is a rangy point guard out of the state of Wisconsin that is sometimes overshadowed by his teammates on the Phenom squad, but he is a high-major player in his own right. Just knows how to play the game with an advanced mindset. Natural in the drive and kick along with using his speed in transition. Sound shooter from beyond the arc.