Henricksen: Watch these five ultra-sleepers rise

The names Cameron Bowles, Justin Brown, Courtese Cooper, Carlos Hines and Kawanise Wilkins may not resonate with the high school basketball fan.

Those five names don’t inspire the same amount of interest among talent evaluators and the media as the likes of a Jordan Goodwin, the state’s top player from Belleville Althoff, or Stevenson’s Justin Smith and Evanston’s Nojel Eastern.

They aren’t on the tip of the tongue of Big Ten coaches or even very many college coaches, period.

When it comes to their respective recruitments, forget the infancy stage. These prospects have played out their junior year, as well as the string of events on the AAU circuit this past spring, yet we’re still in the prenatal stage.

There are sleepers. And then there are ultra-sleepers. Here are five who have climbed and sit plenty high on the City/Suburban Hoops Report player rankings in the Class of 2017 but certainly fit into the latter category:

■ Cameron Bowles, Homewood-Flossmoor

With a strong finish to his junior season –– the versatile and skilled 6-6 wing averaged nearly 10 points and 8 rebounds over his final 10 games –– Bowles has the look of a late blooming prospect. He has the type of fluid tools and size you look for in a prototype wing prospect. Now it’s a matter of doing it on a consistent basis.

“He came back with a chip on his shoulder and expects more of himself,” says Homewood-Flossmoor coach Marc Condotti. “He’s figuring out how good he can be.”

■ Justin Brown, Marist

This unknown 6-8 post player is long, agile and full of potential. Brown was off to a strong start this past season before an ankle injury sidelined him for six weeks in the middle of the season.

With some advanced footwork and improving feel with his back to the basket, Brown is now one of the more intriguing under-the-radar prospects in the Class of 2017.

“He’s come so far and improved so much over the past year,” says Marist coach Gene Nolan.

■ Courtese Cooper, Elgin

A player few are aware of outside the Upstate Eight Conference. But the 6-8 Cooper was a menace defensively this past year with his nearly 7-foot wingspan, blocking 154 shots, while averaging 8.9 points and 10.5 rebounds a game.

With an ability to knock down 12-16 foot face-up jumpers and range that extends to the three-point line to go with his size and length, Cooper is poised for a breakout senior season.

■ Carlos Hines, North Lawndale

Likely the most recognizable name in the group as a result of his scoring numbers this past season and being the most highly regarded at an early age. Hines, though, looks like a prime breakout candidate.

This is a 6-2 guard who plays with a motor and is blessed with range on his jumper and natural scoring ability. After providing some offensive punch off the ball as a junior (14.4 ppg), Hines makes the move to point guard this year and into a starring role for coach Lewis Thorpe.

In addition, Hines is rock solid in the classroom and a National Honor Society member. He is currently ranked among the top 10 in his class academically.

■ Kawanise Wilkins, Farragut

Wilkins is arguably the best kept secret in the Public League. He has size on the perimeter at 6-4 and is a talented offensive player. As a junior he put up 17 points a game while playing in relative obscurity.

“We are looking for him to be assertive, to get more aggressive, “ says Farragut coach Wolf Nelson. “That’s the next step. He’s going to have that green light. He has to be the guy people need to worry about when playing us.”