Eye Catchers at Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase Illinois!!!!!

Big Tim

Aug 21, 20235 min read

AURORA, ILLINOIS: This event was held recently at Supreme Courts in Aurora. First look at some talented incoming freshman (and one 8th grader) playing against their peers in one building. I didn't get to see all the teams play but here are some players who caught my eye. Lots of time for these young men to impress in multiple settings. Here we go:

DEVIN CLEVELAND, 6'1" combo guard, Kenwood Academy (Chicago): Made things look easy against his peers. You can tell he's been beat up by older brothers Fred Jr, and Cam who both played at Leo Catholic (Chicago) and are college players. Game is advanced beyond his years and decided today to score in mid range and post ups. Played solid defense with a few steals, and hit the glass well. Best talent at the event.

REGGIE STEVENS, 6'1" combo guard, St Laurence (Burbank): Look for him to get some immediate playing time on a loaded varsity squad. He scored at all three levels, got to the rim anytime he wanted, and hit some threes off the catch. Made some nice passes on penetration into the lane.

JAYDEN TAYLOR, 5'9" point guard, Perspectives Leadership (Chicago): The next star guard at the school. He was the best player I saw as a two way standout. He not only did it offensively by hitting threes, converting on floaters in the lane, finishing at the rim. He also got after it defensively getting into passing lanes, for steals, pressuring guards and making life miserable for his matchup. Good chance to start varsity or at least get major minutes.

ETHAN VAHL, 6'0" point guard, Thompson Jr High (Oswego or St Charles?): Class of 2028 (8th grader) showed he belonged as he did a little bit of everything out here. He scored from all three levels, made nice passes, hit the offensive and defensive glass as well as defended. Hit some long three point shots. showed a nice mid range floater, as well as finished at the rim. High schools in the area all be jockeying for him to enroll at their school next Spring.

JORDAN PURVIS, 6'1"point guard, Christian (Yorkville): Another one that should be a varsity starter right away. Good chance to break some scoring records before he's done at his school. He scored on long range threes, was hitting them like they were layups. Three level scoring package, hits shots off the bounce or off the catch. Nice mid range float game. Showed he's a good defender as he has some steals on the ball and in the passing lanes.

DAWSON CHARLES, 6'1" forward, St Viator (Arlington Heights): King of bounce and he had some athletic finishes at the rim and wiped some shots on defense. Hits the boards well on both ends, has a nice step back mid range jump shot. He also showed he can bring the ball up the court and set up the offense. Could see some varsity minutes but may be brought along slowly.

DION LANE, 5'10" point guard, Evanston Township: Speed speed speed. Speed merchant who can get to wherever he wants on the court. They should recruit him to run track. He used it to get to the basket and finished, showed a nice mid range jumper. Hit some threes and played under control was not sped up. He was giving dimes out like charity to teammates feeding them with some nice passes. Quick hands to get steals on opposing guards. Evanston may have him run the sophomore team but future is bright.

TRAVIS BROWN, JR, 5'9" point guard, Aurora (West): Hit more than a few three pointers, one where he turned his back before the ball went in ala Steph Curry. He was able to get into the lane and have some nice Euro step finishes, as well as set up teammates for shots. Pressured the ball on defense making it tough on opposing guards.

DONOVYN SIMMONS, 5'8" point guard, Catholic (Joliet): Did it all out here, hitting five threes in game I saw, finished at the rim and set up teammates for baskets in the lane, or for open three pointers. Will try to help make JCA a basketball school in his time there.

JAMIER MONTGOMERY, 5'10" point guard, Warren Township (Gurnee): Attack, attack, attack is his game. He attacked the defense at will and scored on Euro steps, up and under layups, and dished to teammates for baskets in the lane, or open three point shots. He hit a couple of threes himself in the game I saw. I see him getting varsity minutes though the Blue Devils are loaded in the backcourt.

JAYDEN BULLOCK, 5'11" point guard, Marist (Chicago): He was one of the top two way players at the event. Got after it on both ends of the court. He scored on threes, was able to get to the basket whenever he wanted and scored. Had some nice passes on penetration into the lane. Defensively, he was able to get multiple steals off the ball, and picked a lot of pockets of opposing point guards. May have to wait his turn at Marist.

DEREON SMOTHERS, 6'2" combo guard, n/a: Has not decided on a school yet as of this writing, but whomever gets him is getting a talent. He can handle the ball, get to his spots, and score on mid range jumpers, or finishes at the rim. He also is a pest defensively with his long arms to disrupt offenses, and get steals.

QUINTON KITT, 6'4" wing, Peoria (East): Showed some three level scoring in this setting. hit a couple of threes, made some nice drives to the basket, and hit a couple mid range jumpers. He rebounded off the defensive glass, brought the ball up the court, and created for himself and others on passes to teammates. Plays hard all the time, no plays off.

HAYDEN SCHROEDER, 6'5" forward, Academy (Wheaton): Hit the boards hard on both ends, showed he can bring the ball up the court and make good decisions. He hit more than a few threes from the corner off the catch and shoot. Rim protected well. Hit some mid range jump shots in the lane.

JARRELL BROWN, 6'4" wing, Normal Community: Bright future for this young man. He has the guard skills to make plays off the dribble or off the pass. He scored mostly in the mid range and at the rim. Rebounded off the offensive and defensive glass. Can take it off the board and bring the ball up the court to see up offense. You can play him off the ball and come to receive passes and make plays.

EDWARD HUMES IV, 5'2" point guard, Fenwick (Oak Park): He put on a long range shooting show, pulling up and hitting shots from 25 and 30 feet out. He was also getting others involved by making some slick passes to open three point shooters off penetration.

JACOB FULLER, 6'7" forward, Glenbrook South (Glenview): Versatile inside/out game. Nice shooting touch from three point line, in the lane, and at the rim. Nice jump hook on the block, rebounds, rim protects. Can take it off the defensive board and bring the ball up in traffic. Next up for the Titans.