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© 2006 MidStateHoops.com.
All rights reserved.
THE INNOVATIVE AMPLIFICATION CONTINUES.
MOST IMITATED, MOST RESPECTED, THE BEST.
Class of 2008 Bona Fide Top Ten
July 26, 2007
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Class of 2008 Bona Fide Top Ten Dillard is one of the toughest guards in the prep game. He’s a hardnosed player that makes his teammates A LOT better and, more importantly, wins ball games. He’s an outstanding playmaker. He is quick and is great at breaking down defenders, getting to the basket, then creating for others. He has also learned to finish off himself. He is a capable shooter though inconsistent. He’s also solid defensively. If he was a legitimate 6’2”, he would likely be the state’s #1 player. Kevin is the key to a strong MeanStreets team. He’s been highly regarded since his middle school years and is one of the few players that proves worthy of his hype every time he steps onto the floor. Southern Illinois got a real steal with this one! Verbally Committed: Southern Illinois |
Kevin Dillard Position: 1 Homewood-Flossmoor |
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Dion Dixon Position: 2/1 Chicago Crane |
Class of 2008 Bona Fide Top Ten The state’s most overlooked guard. Dixon has the most complete game of all the guards in his class. He’s very skilled offensively and works very hard defensively. He also rebounds well from his position. Dion has solid athleticism and plays smart and within himself. He is an extremely good shooter and is also good at penetrating to the basket. Players love teaming with him as he is unselfish and a good leader. Whoever lands this hidden jewel will be pleasantly surprised. Considering: Akron, Colorado, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Toledo |
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Class of 2008 Bona Fide Top Ten An athletic post that has majorly improved his skill level over the course of his high school career. Dunigan is an outstanding shot blocker. He plays above the rim on both ends of the floor and scores well around the rim. He has a soft touch on his midrange jumpshot and plays very aggressive. He’s been highly regarded on the national scale for a few years and has shown that, though he is a bit raw, he is one of the top post players throughout the country. Verbally Committed: Oregon |
Michael Dunigan Position: 5 Chicago Farragut |
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Ryan Hare Position: 3/2 Chicago Marshall |
Class of 2008 Bona Fide Top Ten Ryan is the hardest working player on the floor at all times. He does what it takes to win, whatever it might be. Though Hare is only 6’4”, he has the impact of a 6’10” monster. He’s a traditional small forward in a shooting guard’s body which may limit his list of schools to choose from but he is one of the best high school players to walk through the state of Illinois in recent years. Ryan is a great rebounder and defensive player. He’s very strong and has very good athleticism allowing him to defend both the post and perimeter at this point. He has a good post game and is also an adequate midrange shooter. He handles and passes it well and is one of the most complete players in his class. He has helped lead Marshall to two state appearances in three years and has a chance to do the same this winter. He is certainly the key to Mac Irvin’s Illinois Fire and their success. Considering: Illinois |
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Class of 2008 Bona Fide Top Ten Humphrey is a long wing with good athleticism and a top-notch 3-point shot. At 6’5” with his length and skill, he’s an ideal high major shooting guard. He works very hard defensively and is a great transition player. He also rebounds well from his position. In the past, his ball handling has been suspect but it seems he has greatly improved that facet of his game. He performs best when teammed with a solid point guard. Verbally Committed: Oregon |
Matt Humphrey Position: 2 Chicago Hales Franciscan |
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Lewis Jackson Position: 1 Decatur Eisenhower |
Class of 2008 Bona Fide Top Ten Lewis is undoubtedly the most athletic of the guards in the 2008 class when regarding Illinois. He is extremely fast, quick, and has an amazing vertical leap. Jackson is very good at breaking opponents down with his dribble, getting to the basket, and finishing. He is one of the fastest guys up and down the floor with the ball and has a quick enough first step to beat almost anyone in the halfcourt. When shooting with confidence, Lewis is solid from beyond the arch. However, his jumper still needs improvements. If he begins to shoot at a high level, he will have the choice of playing anywhere in the nation. Defensively, Jackson hounds you. He has good passing skills and is a proven winner as he turned around the Eisenhower program and has led Indiana Elite to a plethora of championship titles this past spring. Considering: Butler, Bradley, Central Michigan, Colorado, Dayton, Gonzaga, Illinois, Indiana, UNLV, USC |
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Class of 2008 Bona Fide Top Ten A tall, long, and thin point guard with great playmaking abilities. Jones is the Godbrother of Shaun Livingston and his passing skills are very similar. He is good at getting by defenders with his ball handling and creating buckets for himself or teammates. He’s a bit of an inconsistent shooter but when he’s on, HE’S ON! He shoots with confidence and range and carries one of the highest basketball IQ’s in the nation as he is a coach’s son and plays like it. Speed, quickness, and overall athleticism are three things missing from Jones’ game along with strength though he does a good job of working around it with smart play. Considering: Arizona, Arizona State, DePaul, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Southern Illinois, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Xavier, UCLA |
Verdell Jones III Position: 1 Champaign Central |
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Matt Roth Position: 2 Washington |
Class of 2008 Bona Fide Top Ten Lights out from beyond the arch! Roth may just be the best 3-point shooter in the nation. He shoots with both range and accuracy and can get his shot off if given even the tiniest bit of room. He’s a smart player that doesn’t take bad shots and gets a lot of his shots off because he moves so well without the ball. Additionally, he is a good rebounder from his position. Speed and lateral quickness are both question marks in Matt’s game. However, he has solid athleticism but needs to incorporate it better in his game. If he does so and continues improving his ball handling and defensive abilities, he will be a solid player at the collegiate level. Considering: Bradley, Indiana, St. Louis, Wichita State |
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Class of 2008 Bona Fide Top Ten Shumpert is the rising star of the class. He has emerged as a “can't miss” prospect despite a relatively unknown first two years. He is the best scorer in the class with an all-around offensive repertoire that includes range out to three with a strong mid-range game that sets him apart from other scorers. Shumpert is still developing as a player and is likely to only get better this upcoming season. His big challenge this season will be leading his team amongst the state's best now that he is considered a bonified top player. Considering: Bradley, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Marquette, North Carolina, Northwestern, Tennessee, Wisconsin |
Iman Shumpert Position: 2/1 Oak Park-River Forest |
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Tyler Storm Position: 3 Geneseo |
Class of 2008 Bona Fide Top Ten Storm is one of if not the most well rounded player in the class. As we have stated in previous reports, he can play positions 2-4. His perimeter skills have evolved and he is now a consistent threat from three-point range. Storm is able to hold his own against post players on both ends of the court with his 6-7 frame and always battles for rebounds and loose balls. Storm is often left out of discussions of the best players in the state because of his Iowa based AAU team, Martin Brothers Select. Nonetheless, they are one of the most successful and consistent teams on the AAU circuit and Storm is one of their top player. Considering: Albany, Bradley, DePaul, Eastern Illinois, Illinois State, Iowa State, Northern Iowa, Penn State, Wisconsin |
