There will be roughly 30 players in the Class of 2018 who will head off to a Division I basketball program next fall. That number is well below average for the state of Illinois.
But even with that small number in the senior class, we head into the stretch run of the season with a number of those 30 projected Division I prospects uncommitted. In fact, 13 of the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s top 30 prospects in the class are unsigned and uncommitted.
There is some value left in the class, including the following list that highlights the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s top five uncommitted prospects, a few of which have been vastly under-recruited and overlooked.
■ Drew Peterson, Libertyville
When it comes to the 6-8 Peterson and his college level of play, it’s always been about projection throughout his high school career. What’s the ceiling of a pretty skilled player with size but who has yet to fully physically develop?
Peterson’s production this season really isn’t anything new. He’s put up numbers throughout his high school career, so it’s still about projection as to whether he’s higher than a mid-major prospect.
He’s had a surplus of mid-major interest and offers, including the most recent one from UC-Santa Barbara this past week. He does have some higher level programs taking a look and showing interest.
How this plays out between now and this spring, which could potentially include another run on the club circuit this April, will be interesting when it comes to recruiting storylines in the Class of 2018.
■ Xavier Pinson, Simeon
You can say this about the ultra-smooth point guard: Pinson is a player who is capable of doing things no one else in the class can do. That starts with his passing ability as the slender 6-2 lead guard is the best passing point guard in Illinois. His feel for passing is natural and extremely effective.
There are some holes to fill as he develops as a player, but Pinson’s stock has only increased, even as his minutes overall have decreased a bit from his junior to senior year. But there was going to be a natural progression in getting acclimated and finding his way within the Simeon program.
Pinson is a natural with the ball and has an easy feel about him on the basketball floor with vision. If you surround Pinson with weapons, he’s only going to shine more and make those players better.
The City/Suburban Hoops Report had Pinson projected as a mid-major prospect this past summer. He picked up recent offers from Dayton and Georgetown and is getting interest and looks from the likes of Saint Louis and Missouri.
■ Terrence Shannon, Lincoln Park
There isn’t a player in the senior class who has raised their stock and vaulted up the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s player rankings more since the season started than Shannon.
As a result of his combination of talent, upside and absolute obscurity up to this point, the Hoops Report is basketball-smitten over Shannon.
Now healthy and productive after missing most of his junior year and the July evaluation period with injuries, Shannon is averaging 18 points a game for a Lincoln Park team that is 13-4 and ranked.
Shannon is athletic, long and extremely versatile with an ability to put it on the floor, find his way to the rim as a slasher while showing to be a capable perimeter shooter. The late-blooming Shannon has emerged as one of the the Hoops Report’s top 15 prospects in the class with mid-major upside.
■ Dannie Smith, Orr
The college basketball world has really missed the boat with Smith –– and for quite some time. Unlike Shannon, who was an unknown, there has been plenty of talk about Smith. The skilled, multi-faceted, big-bodied Smith was instrumental in helping lead Orr to a state championship last March. He’s been a Hoops Report favorite for some time.
Nonetheless, the Orr star has taken a back seat, even to some of his own Orr teammates. The idea the versatile 6-5 Smith has so little going in terms of Division I offers is baffling. But it’s created a “something to prove” mantra with Smith that anyone can appreciate when watching him.
■ Raekwon Drake, Orr
There will always be critiques and criticisms when it comes to an undersized 4-man with raw skills and that player’s college projection. And that is what Drake has battled in his career. But Drake defies some of those with his uber-athleticism, strength and motor.
The 6-5 Drake put up big numbers at a showcase game in the Ramey Midwest Shootout with some national evaluators watching, scoring 31 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks in a win over Hazelwood Central. He was a monster during the holidays at the Proviso West Holiday Tournament, where he averaged 15.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3 blocks while leading his team to a tournament championship.
He has some limitations, though Drake has made some improvements with his overall skills. But the tenaciousness, energy and effectiveness he plays with, along with being a good teammmate, continues to be his strength.
Follow Joe Henricksen and the City/Suburban Hoops Report on Twitter @joehoopsreport
