Joe Bertrand, Donivine Stewart, Lenzelle Smith Top Performers At University Of Illinois Team Shootout
June 9, 2008
7:30 A.M. CST
This year's high school team shootout at the University Of Illinois' Assembly Hall and Ubben Basketball Complex was an overwhelming success, as it featured many of the top prospects in Illinois from the classes of 2009, 2010 and 2011 as well as several teams that will undoubtedly rank among the tops in the state next season. In addition, the games were highly competitive and there is no question that the event had a big-time atmosphere to it. With all of that being said, the following are our impressions of the top performers at the shootout along with some other random notes from our time in Champaign yesterday.
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The top performer of the day was clearly 6'4 guard and University Of Illinois class of 2009 commit Joe Bertrand from Sterling, who has to wish that he played all of his games in Assembly Hall, as that undoubtedly seems to be where he plays his best basketball. Bertrand was absolutely outstanding in his head-to-head matchup against Brandon Paul and Warren, as he shot the lights out from downtown (converting four three-pointers) and scoring at will on drives to the basket. He had to have well over 30 points in the contest. Not only that, but Bertrand also did a splendid job of handling the ball and setting up teammates for open shots. As a result, we are now thinking that of the three Illini guard commitments from the 2009 class, Bertrand is the one who is best equipped to immediately assume the point guard role, although that isn't to say that Paul and Peoria Central's D.J. Richardson aren't capable of handling point guard duties down the road.
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Our vote for the second best performer goes to 5'10 class of 2011 point guard Donivine Stewart from Bartonville Limestone. Simply put, we will continue to put Stewart up with any other point guard in the state, not only in the class of 2011 but regardless of class. Stewart once again displayed his outstanding ballhandling skills and quickness, as he consistently broke down defenses, got to the basket and made plays. And whoever said that Stewart can't shoot is out in left field, as he nailed several 3-point baskets throughout the day. We also love the fearless nature, the toughness and the high degree of competitiveness that Stewart brings to the table with every game. As a result, as we have said all along, he is right there with Mt. Carmel's Tracy Abrams as the premier guard in Illinois from the 2011 class.
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Rounding out our top three performers is 6'3 class of 2010 prospect Lenzelle Smith from Zion-Benton. We are still amazed that Smith doesn't got mentioned in the same breath with Waukegan's Jereme Richmond or Rich South's Crandall Head, because he ought to be. The bottom line is that Smith is a warrior, and he showed that same mentality yet again yesterday. There may not be a better rebounder in the state for his size, as Smith consistently gets after it on the glass and has a great nose for the ball, allowing him to score numerous points on put backs. However, he can also handle the ball and if you back off of him, he is also capable of hurting you from beyond the 3-point stripe. We think Smith is quite reminiscient of Sergio McClain, and actually Smith is a better shooter at the same stage.
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Additional Notes
... Also playing extremely well were Whitney Young's guard tandem of 6'1 Chris Colvin and Marcus Jordan. Colvin continues to show that he is one of the most pure point guards in the state from the class of 2009. He is explosive to the basket and brings a high degree of energy and leadership every moment that he is in the game. In the marquee matchup of the day, Colvin converted a running layup at the buzzer to give Whitney Young a one point victory over Zion-Benton. While Whitney Young is loaded with depth, we strongly believe that Colvin has to be on the floor in order for Whitney Young to be most successful. Turning to Jordan, we will continue to say that we think he gets a bum rap. Others will continue to question what position Jordan plays at the next level, but we think that he ultimately projects as a quality 2-guard. This is primarily because of his strong upper body which he uses to his advantage to simply overpower opponents. Combine this with the fact that Jordan is highly athletic and has shown a much-improved jump shot, and there is no way that we are betting against him.
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There is no doubt in our minds that Waukegan's 6'7 Jereme Richmond remains our #1 prospect from the class of 2010, although we can understand those who say that when they watch Richmond they always seem to come away wanting more. Such was the case again yesterday with the Illinois commit. We thought that Richmond played well in the one game that we watched him, but there is no question that there are times when he needs to be inspired. Richmond would also be aided tremendously if the guards on his team didn't think that they have to immediately shoot every time they touch the ball. If a happy medium can be reached, then we have no doubt that everyone will once again start seeing the best with respect to Richmond's game.
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De LaSalle's 6'7 Mike Shaw, who remains the state's #1 prospect in the class of 2011, did not have one of his better performances yesterday. Shaw spent most of his time playing on the wing and did not shoot overly well, as he appeared to be falling back on a number of his shots. However, he played hard from start to finish and make no mistake about it, the skill set is definitely there and it is one that far exceeds any other player in Illinois from the 2011 class. Shaw's highlight of the day was being on the receiving end of a brilliant catch and shoot situation, as he caught an inbounds pass from half-court and converted a turnaround jumper at the buzzer to give his team a victory over Zion-Benton.
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While the Whitney Young vs. Zion-Benton contest may go a long way towards influencing who will be chosen as the preseason #1 team in the state next November, those looking for a sleeper team in that area may want to look no further than Simeon, who may have been the most impressive team that we saw at yesterday's shootout. Head coach Robert Smith's team may be young, but they are loaded with young talent and sport tremendous depth. They also now have an additional ingredient in 6'3 class of 2010 prospect Brandon Spearman, who recently decided to transfer from Hales Franciscan High School in Chicago.
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Although his high school team was not among the participants at the shootout, another one of the Illini's commitments from the class of 2010, 6'4 Crandall Head from Rich South High School in Richton Park, IL, was on hand to take in all the action, along with his AAU teammate-- 6'1 class of 2010 prospect Reggie Smith from Thornton Township High School in Harvey, IL. On Saturday, Smith, Mike Shaw and 6'5 class of 2009 guard Tony Nixon from Seton Academy in South Holland, IL were all on campus at Southern Illinois University. Both Nixon and Smith are high priority recruiting targets for the Salukis.
Continue to check in with Illinois Prep Bulls-eye for all of the latest as it pertains to high school basketball and recruiting in Illinois.
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