Basing a lot on one game. I’ve seen Ayo make 4-5 threes in a game.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (November-December 2017)
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Basing a lot on one game. I’ve seen Ayo make 4-5 threes in a game.
Still a ratchet shot
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Wow, what a spectacle last night's event was. The thing had more production value than an NBA game. Anywho, as promised... (Sorry, long scroll)
Going to focus on Ayo, Adam Miller, and DJ Steward since those are the three either committed or being recruited by Underwood.
- Ayo: He really struggled with Findlay's length, which isn't surprising given Bol Bol's purely ridiculous height and wingspan. Kid is an absolute cheat code at that level. Ayo won't face length like that much in college, let alone high school. He got into the lane several times, but just couldn't get a shot up, and would kick it out or try to set up a teammate cutting to the basket. As others have keyed in on, he struggled with his outside shot, which he doesn't get enough elevation on.
I think we have to have realistic expectations for Ayo. He's a really, really good player who can come in and be an integral part of the team, but he isn't a one-and-done guy. He's quick and crafty off the dribble and can get into the lane essentially whenever he wants, but he doesn't have the elite athleticism to challenge a good shot-blocker at the rim. His outside shot is going to be streaky. As others have said, he is a capable outside shooter when left open. The question is whether he can be consistent when shooting over bigger, better defenders in the B1G.
The bottom-line with Ayo is that we're getting a really good B1G PG, but there are legitimate holes in his game that kept the blue-bloods from knocking down his door. How far he can go will depend on how he develops those holes in his game.
- Adam Miller: The kid is specially. I would say **will be special**, but he's special right now. In the first half against a Findlay Prep team loaded with Seniors going high D1, he looked like the best guard on the court. He's got great lift on his outside shot, and was hot early. He's also quick of the dribble and a good distributor, but didn't get into the lane much (which made sense given Bol's presence).
The question with Miller isn't IF the blue-bloods get involved, but WHEN. Can the staff build a really solid relationship with him before the blue-bloods come in and try to snatch him away. He certainly has enough connections to the program now with Ayo, Da'Monte, Mac Irvin Fire, etc. Ayo was able to recruit him to his school this year, here's hoping he can do it again.
- DJ Steward: Steward isn't as developed physically as Adam Miller at this point (they're no. 1 and 2 in IL for 2020). That being said, Steward is really shifty off the dribble and got to bucket a ton against a really good Whitney Young team. He also knocked down a couple threes and has a smooth outside shot. He's listed as a PG by the services, but at this point I think he's best suited playing off the ball. One possession specifically I remember him bringing the ball up and not initiating the offense at all before dribbling into a turnover.
Steward is less of a sure thing at this point compared with Miller, but I think he'll end up being a Nojel Eastern/Da'Monte Williams-level recruit. Definitely someone we should keep an eye on.
Other tidbits:
- Javon Freeman-Liberty (son of Marcus Liberty) stole the show in the Whitney Young - Fenwick game with 35 points. He's rail thin, but a great athlete who's skill-level keeps rising. I don't blame the staff for not going after him (no P5 schools really did), but I can't help but think he might turn into a really good college player at Valpo, and we'll be kicking ourselves for not seeing it sooner.
- Anyone unsure about the influence of show companies in HS basketball should attend one of these things. It was bananas, even compared to other similar events and tournaments I've been to. Here's a shot of the player intros — brought to you by Jordan Brand, of course.
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BirdDog9048
The Chief Lives
- Chicago, IL
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Yea nephew, thanks.
Deleted member 631370
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That's a very fair assessment.
If Ayo was a great shooter, he'd be a top-10 national recruit. So, while we all hope he improves that outside shot, let's also consider that if his shot was stronger, he probably would have had the likes of UK hanging all over him.
So, perhaps it's not a bad thing that he has some holes in his game.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
I agree. It also means he'll be an Illini for at least a couple years, which is huge when you're trying to build a program.
I was not sold on Ayo last year due to the holes in his game. Especially his loose and high dribble along concerns about his shot. He has come a long way including adding muscle.
With the tools he had now I can see him doing well in BU offense. His shot will get better, like the rest of the tools. Remember he has performed well against other high majors.
With the tools he had now I can see him doing well in BU offense. His shot will get better, like the rest of the tools. Remember he has performed well against other high majors.
Deleted member 631370
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Oh, no doubt about it. He was putting up some crazy numbers against pretty elite talent on the AAU circuit. Didn't he thrown down 40+ against Jahvon Quinerly?
Ayo is an elite talent. But he's not a one-and-done sort of elite talent. But in my view, he's the ideal talent that a program like us needs: a high-level guy who will play 2-3 years. In the age of one-and-dones, you can go places with a team led by highly talented juniors.
Future Walk-On
- Peoria, IL
Funny. I didn't know who that was until I googled and found out he hired a lawyer, because it seems he was the player who got $15,000 to go to Zona.
ILL in IA
- Iowa City
20/20
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
I was mildly impressed. When I've seen him play in the past, he really hasn't had to pass that much. He would drive and get a layup himself. In this game he had to do more drive and kick. He also had a couple drives were he would then shovel it to a big (Pearson). The problem was that Findlay Prep was so big underneath that those passes often didn't result in buckets.
I think the biggest adjustment for Ayo is going to be the pace of our offense. Ayo likes to have the ball in his hands, sizing up the defense, getting a ball-screen and then driving to the hoop. Underwood isn't going to let him hold the ball for 10 seconds at a time. I envision some yelling from the sidelines early next season when Ayo dribbles around sizing things up.
Ayo’s decision making was good. When he drove he passed and took shots according to how he was being played.
He forced the situation a little more in the 4th quarter when MP was down by more than 10.
Overall he has a good skill set just couldn’t hit the 3 ball last night.
He forced the situation a little more in the 4th quarter when MP was down by more than 10.
Overall he has a good skill set just couldn’t hit the 3 ball last night.
I agree with most of this. Ayo wasn't himself. He is a slasher. Not a jump shooter. All of that length at the rim made it impossible. He has not and will not face this height at all in the state of Illinois, unless Morgan Park plays the Bulls and they don't have 2 guys that tall. The game also was a silly showcase. Why not have the game played at the new DePaul Arena? Why stage it at Navy Pier? Setup was dumb. One out and One in? You gotta be kidding me. Back to the players. Most games Ayo will have 20 plus points. I wouldn't be surprised if Miller led the team in scoring. He is special from the layup line to getting on the bus. I don't see ayo as a one and done player. I know he feels like he is. He will be a different player at the game this weekend and when they play Simeon next week I expect him to put on a show. DJ Steward from Fenwick is 1B is Miller is 1A. Mid range, slasher, good player.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Agree with all of this. It's funny, I said the same thing about the venue yesterday. There's finally a nice arena close to downtown that's not named the United Center. Let's use the thing!
DJ Steward excites the heck out of me. He's a really good player as a sophomore that really hasn't filled out his frame yet. How much better will he get once he does? He could be scary good. My concern from our point of view is where he goes to school. I can't recall many players we've been able to pull out of the Chicago Catholic League. Maybe someone older and wiser than I has some names to throw out, but the last one I can remember was Demetri out of St. Joe's.
Lights flashing on after dunks? C'mon man. St. Joe's is in some kind of Suburban conference, similar to Fenwick which is in Oak Park. Mount Carmel gave us Tracy Abrams and Nnanna Egwu was from St. Ignatius. That's the most recent two I can think of. I like Steward.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Ah yea, good call. I was under the impression that the "Catholic League" included those near-suburban Catholic schools. I went to their tournament a couple seasons back and saw Fenwick vs St Joe's.
I agree with the assessment of not getting much from the Catholic League. I wanted Maggette, especially after he played St Rita and kicked my friend in the mouth on a dunk. I also liked Charles Matthews. He was ranked higher, was more aggressive and a better fit, but DJ Williams committed first.
I got you. No biggie. If you from the city, city schools are totally different than Suburban schools. I remember Hoop Dreams. One guy went to Marshall(Westside of Chicago, CPS school) the other went to St. Joe's(Westchester = suburbs, Catholic school) I just want the best players and we saw two pups yesterday. This is what we always talk about. Getting in on the young players early and keeping them instate.
BirdDog9048
The Chief Lives
- Chicago, IL
I stand corrected. Makes no sense to me that schools outside of the city would be in the "Chicago Catholic League." But I am a CPS product and they are by the book.
BirdDog9048
The Chief Lives
- Chicago, IL
Probably because Greater Chicagoland Area Catholic League is a bit of a mouthful.
You got it. Also that "by the book" comment about CPS was a joke! 3 players transferring from Catholic to CPS, some rumored not to even live in the City.. Joke
When McCamey was being recruited by the Illini, St Joseph's was a member of the East Suburban Catholic Conference. St. Joseph moved to the Chicago Catholic League only recently.
Speaking of Fenwick players going to Illinois, some old-timers on this board should remember Neil Bresnahan--great player.
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
Graduated from Fenwick myself, it’s great to see them with some solid talent again
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