Category: PLAYER REPORT

by Cameron Jackson

Player Report: Ater Meek

Ater Meek is a 6’8 2022 forward that plays with Vision Elite and Caverna high school in Horse Cave, Kentucky. This is Ater’s first season playing basketball in Kentucky, and he has quickly emerged as a top prospect in Kentucky’s class of 2022.

Thus far this high school season, Ater has averaged 15 points per game and 9 rebounds. He has posted a double-double on several occasions. Additionally, Ater is shooting just at 50% from the floor this season.

Ater has a good combination of strength and athleticism that gives him an edge over opponents both defensively and offensively. Offensively, his strength is in transition as he rim runs to get easy transition baskets. Additionally in the half-court, Ater is ideal for pick and roll situations and pick and pop as he has a nice touch at around 15 feet.

Coaches, Ater is a must-have for any coach, and he is getting better and better each day. If you want a player that can play both ends and is strong and athletic, Ater Meeks is a player to get.

Class of 2022 Ater Meek
Caverna/Vision Elite Forward
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by Sean West

Confluence Prep Academy: Impact Players

Confluence Prep Academy out of St. Louis had their season cut short, but that does not take away from the great year that group had. We take a look at 3 impact players, 2 of which will be returners. 

Kameron Bevel | Confluence | Class of 2021 | Guard

Bevel is an electric scorer as a combo guard. He has a short memory as a shooter and ultimate confidence in his ability. He has great range on his jump shot and is a slithery finisher when attacking the rim. Bevel is always in attack mode. He finished the season averaging over 20 PPG for the squad and is looking for a home for the next 4 years. The senior guard has reported an offer from SEMO so far in the recruiting process. 

Trasean White | Confluence | Class of 2022 | Guard

White was a guard who made noise at our Kansas City event last summer. He’s a downhill point guard who can finish with either hand, a rare quality for a lefty at his age. White absorbs contact well and has become more explosive this high school season. As a playmaker, he makes outstanding reads out of the pick and roll while mixing in ball fakes. White gets in passing lanes also where he averaged over 3 steals per game. Colleges looking for an up-tempo floor general should take a look at White this summer. 

Kywren Thorpes | Confluence | Class of 2022 | Forward

Thorpes is a bouncy forward who is not afraid to mix it up on the floor. He rebounds out of his area and fills the lane quickly. He trails plays with great timing and finishes with force above the rim. He’s an efficient scorer in the paint and knows positioning well. Thorpe’s energy is constant and as a 6’5 utility man, he does a great job in his role. A fun player to watch who will make big plays over the course of a game. 

by Coach Treal

Five under-recruited players to watch from Illinois

This week we wanted to bring some attention to five players we have identified as some of the more undervalued recruits in the 2021 class in the state of Illinois. These five players are all under-recruited and should see their recruiting stock rise even with the limited amount of games for some players.

2021 Grant Newell 6’7 190 SF (Whitney Young)

Grant has expanded his game during this lockdown period becoming more of a wing player that will help him long term in his development. Grant can hit the trial jumper beyond the arc and does a steady job attacking and finishing along the baseline as well. He has a fluidness to his skill set as his footwork offensively is very nimble. This showcases on the floor as he is equally comfortable playing in space and successfully scoring through contact. He will need to continue to become more comfortable putting the basketball on the floor creating scoring opportunities for not only himself but for teammates. He is a high major prospect with excellent potential.

2021 Jalen Houston 6’1 175 PG (Bogan High School)

Jalen decided with the uncertainty of it being a season in Illinois decided to transfer to Carolina Basketball Academy. What they are getting in Jalen is a complete point guard who excels in an up-tempo-style offense. He has the ball-handling skills and athletic ability to score on all three levels of the floor. He also can defend his position and should see more schools looking in his direction in the late signing period. Plays an all-around game and reads the game well as a floor leader. He plays an attacking style with obvious confidence and the type of killer instinct that can’t be taught. Jalen is a point guard with solid size for the position and matching upside who will have his pick of suitors to play at the next level.

2021 Jakobi Heady 6’6 170 SG/SF (Hillcrest High School)

After watching Jakobi over the last few summers and in the early games so far this season he is playing the most confidence I have ever seen him. As this story is going to press he has signed a letter of intent to continue his playing career at Moraine Valley Community College. His athletic ability is evident in terms of straight-line speed and lateral quickness and what has made him stand out is that he is not afraid to defend. Jakobi will continue to add strength, fine-tune his ballhandling, work on his defense off the ball and be a consistent performer all of which he is more than capable of movinf forward. If he stays with his commit to attend JUCO for two years he will have time to reach his max potential.

2021 Michael Hill 6’0 165 PG (Hyde Park Academy)

The senior guard is a complete floor leader on both sides of the basketball. Mike is an elite tough on-ball defender who also excels in helps defense situations. Mike’s offensive game allows him to play in any system. He’s a scoring threat in all three ranges because he can rise and shoot at virtually any time off the dribble. This gives him the freedom to play off the basketball and utilize his scoring ability. Mike plays with a constant motor and brings intensity from the opening tip until the final buzzer. He is the type of shooter that offensive plays can be run for in order for him to get an open look. He’s a throwback-style point guard and a coach’s dream at the point guard position because he makes those around him better with his leadership, work ethic, and unselfishness and understands what it means to run a team. He will not be short on opportunities once the season ends to continue his playing career.

2021 Devonta Blevins 6’6 175 SF (Rich Township)

Devonta is starting to let his game take shape as he is showing guard skills that will translate to the next level. As the season has got started in a small sample size he is averaging close to a double-double with point and rebounds. Devonta is a rangy wing prospect that bodes that prototypical Division I frame. Devonta is a capable defender of both guard positions given his athleticism and length. He excels on the break by running the floor and in the halfcourt, he likes to use the crossover and spin move to get to the basket. He is a tough wing match-up for most perimeter defenders which will suit him well moving forward. Blevens is a good-looking prospect for the next level due to his ball skills, athleticism, savvy, and motor.

by Mike Enright

Season Review: Larry Hughes Jr

Larry Hughes Jr.
CBC
Class of 2022
Guard

STATS
PPG – 16.4
RPG – 4.2
APG – 2.0
SPG – 2.2

Hughes Jr. has stepped into a prominent role this season for coach Justin Tatum. He’s relied on to be a top scoring option and elevate his teammates on the defensive end. Currently standing at 6’5 he possesses a smooth shooting stroke and is a shot maker on the perimeter. Hughes spaces the floor and shows great understanding of relocating relative to the ball. One of the skills that sets him apart is his ability to make shots of the dribble and sets. He uses his size to create space and make for open looks. Furthermore, Hughes has excellent passing vision from the wing and rarely misses open teammates on cuts and reversals. He’s a team oriented offensive player that finds ways to make an impact every night. 

On the defensive end, Larry is outstanding. His knowledge of the game and overall IQ stands out. He plays with great positioning and rotates well to help out others. When doing so, his length and anticipation creates steal opportunities. On the ball he’s a traditional stopper in that he doesn’t pressure up or playback too much. He stays with his man and limits his opposition’s shot attempts. 

Hughes Jr. is having a rock solid junior season and will look to enhance his stock further with Mokan Elite on the EYBL circuit. He currently holds an offer from Saint Louis to go along with mid-to-high major interest. 

by Cameron Jackson

Player Report: 2022 Carter Bischoff

Carter Bischoff is a 5’11 sharpshooting guard in the class of 2022. He plays with Louisville Prospects and Desales and for Desales High School in Kentucky. Carter has had a stellar high school season thus far.

Desales is currently 9-3 and has one of the best records in Louisville. Carter has had several games in double-figures

Carter is a knock-down shooter that can score off the dribble, on the move, and in transition. Also, Carter sees the floor very well and gets his teammates involved with timeless passes. On the defensive end, Carter can defend quicker defenders and plays with toughness.

Coaches, if you are looking for a player that can stretch the defense with outside shooting, and commits on defense, Carter is your guy.

Class of 2022 Carter Bischoff
Desales/Louisville Prospects Guard
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