Summer Jam: Thursday Standouts
Thursday was the first full day of games at the NY2LA Sports Summer Jam. It was wall to wall action with tons of impactful players both from Illinois and nationally. We dive into those prospects here in our Thursday Standouts!
Illinois Standouts
SF Jayden Johnson (Fundamental U 16U)
Johnson opened up play for Fundamental U with a statement performance at 8:00 AM on Thursday morning. For whatever reason this top 10 2020 prospect doesn’t have an offer and in front of a decent amount of Midwest coaches he showed why he deserves that offer. The ultra-skilled wing has a high basketball IQ and knack for putting the ball in the hoop. Some coaches might knock him a bit on his athleticism, but man can this kid score. He is a plus shooter from three with a clean looking stroke. Finishes well through contact at the rim and consistently makes the right play.
F Josh Preston (Fundamental U 16U)
Preston who is an undersized four man for Geneva is one of those players that just knows how to get stuff done. The 6’4” forward has a nose for the ball seemingly always being around to make the right play. Efficient with his touches and is a very good offensive rebounder. Junk yard dog forward with some skill being able to pass and has a soft touch around the hoop.
SF Bryce Hopkins (Illinois Wolves 15U)
Hopkins was the player of the day for me from an Illinois perspective. The insanely talented Illinois Wolves 15U crew is playing up in the 16U division and was tasked with checking the best 2021 post in America in Michael Foster. Hopkins took on the challenge and did a nice job defensively using his quickness to bother him and with his strength even pushed him away from the hoop at times. Offensively he had it cooking as well. Quick to the offensive glass for second chance points. Hit threes off the catch. Showed improved handles in traffic even since May. Went for 21 points in the win.
SG Max Christie (Illinois Wolves 15U)
Christie was a little quiet early on Thursday night against Martin Brothers, but the state’s best 2021 prospect quickly got it going in the second half as he put his team on his back and willed them to a victory. It all started with a coast to coast drive where he weaved in and out of the defense making it look completely effortless. Mixed in a one dribble pull up, transition score off a steal, and a few more buckets late. Also had a pair of key blocks one inside and another on the perimeter. Finished with 18 points.
PG Markese Jacobs (Mac Irvin Fire 17U)
Jacobs hit not just one, but two game winners on Thursday. I would say that is a heck of a day! It was really his passing that got things started. He showed some growth as a passer I thought especially in the open floor threading the needle in traffic on multiple occasions. Plays above the rim with finishes although he did miss multiple wide open dunks. Burst with the ball and is so fast in the open floor. With the game on the line in both contests the Kansas commit took the game into his hands and scored at the cup. Had 26 points in one of the contests.
SF Kahlil Whitney (Mac Irvin Fire 17U)
Whitney has just taken this to another stratosphere! The 6’7” small forward looked completely unguardable in both games we saw on Thursday. His jump shot has improved leaps and bounds over the last 12 months to where he is now a lethal mid-range jump shooter which is a great combination with his ability to get to the rack. Footwork on the jumper is very impressive. Explosive off the bounce blowing past people and at times all defenders could do was put him at the line. He scored in every way imaginable.
SF Terrence Shannon (Mac Irvin Fire 17U)
Another big day for Shannon. He is a beast in the open floor starting out their game on Thursday morning going end to end on multiple occasions for slams or euro step finishes. The majority of his points come in the open floor where he is so tough to stop once he has a head of steam behind him. Great second jump off the floor to get his own miss or one of his teammates.
SG Ahamad Bynum (Mac Irvin Fire 17U)
Bynum is the state’s #3 2021 prospect. The Simeon two guard was called on to play up in the 17U game for the Fire and made several key plays down the stretch including a huge jumper late. Didn’t look fazed at all against the high level talent against the big boys. Strong and physical guard that has the ability to get buckets anywhere anytime.
SF Jack Holmstrom (Quad City Elite 16U)
Holmstrom has made his name known in our eyes over the last two weeks. This lefty 6’6” small forward has nice strength and plays with a lot of toughness. The skill set is there as well being able to shoot it off the catch or connect on mid-range shots. Not a go to scorer, but when the ball is in his hands usually good things tend to happen.
PG Marquise Kennedy (Illinois Wolves 17U)
Kennedy is the prospect with the most helium heading into the second live period after landing a handful of low-major and mid-major offers in the last week. He showed why again with his athleticism at the point guard position. Great at getting in the lane where he can make plays for himself or others. Jump shot hasn’t fallen consistently in Milwaukee, but he is making plays attacking and dishing. Also a solid on ball defender.
PF Chris Payton (Meanstreets 17U)
Payton might be the least talked about top 5 player in recent memory. The Bloomington four man who was once committed to Illinois State had a heck of a day in the pair of contests that we witnessed. What we liked was how well he rebounded both in and out of his area. Chased down balls and snatched them out of the air in traffic. Got a lot of points off his energy on the glass. Bouncy athlete that finished better inside than we had seen in recent outings. One of his best plays was a spin in the lane. Also a high/low seal off that he dunked.
PF Grant Newell (Meanstreets 15U)
Newell is among the top 2021 power forward in Illinois and the Whitney Young rising sophomore showed coaches why. Height, length, skill, and mobility! That is a great combination for a young forward. He showed the skill off hitting a three and handling it facing up. Finished put backs and dump offs inside. Played with a higher activity level than we had seen in the past even blocking multiple shots.
G Tyler Cochran (Hoopers Basketball 17U)
When I went to the court to see Hoopers play on Thursday afternoon there were a ton of coaches and a big reason was a lot of low and mid-majors taking a look at this Bolingbrook combo guard. Big and physical combo guard who plays best with the ball in his hands attacking downhill. Uses his physicality to score or draw contact inside. Consistently scores on and-1s. Big time rebounder for his position.
SG Sincere Parker (Illinois Stars 16U)
Parker put himself on our radar with his play in Milwaukee. This 6’3” shooting guard from Rockford East has broad shoulders and long arms. Frame where he should be able to continue to add strength going forward.
National Standouts
SG Harlond Beverly (REACH Legends 17U)
With a huge hand of coaches on hand including many head coaches to see this top 50 national recruit Beverly put together the best game we have seen out of him this spring. The athletic and fluid two guard knocked down jumpers with ease. Got out in transition for scores where he used his outstanding body control at the rim. Floater game was working as well.
SF Patrick Baldwin Jr (Phenom University 16U)
In my opinion this 6’8” small forward from Hamilton (WI) is the top 2021 prospect in the country. He is a super long and lean small forward that looks like a young Kevin Durant or Jayson Tatum out there. Everything he does is so smooth! This kid can flat out shoot the basketball from the perimeter. Feathery stroke with a free and ease release with consistent mechanics time after time. Makes it look easy off the bounce as well with his long strides and ability to finish with either hand.
SG Paxson Wojcik (Illinois Wolves 17U)
This La Lumiere (IN) wing and Loyola commit has a high level of skill to his game. The lefty two guard has a great feel for his floater getting it over defenders with ease. He is a solid spot up shooter and passes the ball with a lot of flair.
PF Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (KC Run GMC 17U)
JRE displayed why he is a top 10 prospect nationally. The Kansas native is a power forward with an elite combination of skill and athleticism. He has a burst off the floor both dunking it with authority as well as getting rebounds. Feel for scoring in the post. Also is a threat to step out and drill a three.
SG Zach Harvey (KC Run GMC 17U)
Harvey had another spectacular day. The two guard is a smooth scorer that has deep range on his three point shot. That combined with his play in the open floor where he blows past defenders and is an outstanding layup maker allow him to be a dynamic offensive weapon.
SG Brandon Newman (Meanstreets 17U)
Newman was about as in a zone as you could be in the first half against Sizzle. The Indiana high school standout was drilling thress all over the floor. He is a plus plus shooter off the catch that is improving his game off the bounce. Got to the rim on several drives including a few where he converted and-1s. Kid is wired to score it!
PG Jalen Suggs (Sizzle 17U)
Thursday night might have been the best that I have seen this Minnesota native play. The top 10 national recruit is a lead guard with size and tremendous athleticism. His acceleration to the rim is outstanding. Finished well at the cup. Shot it pretty well against Meanstreets too connecting on a pair of threes.