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THE BEST IN ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL RECRUITING!

Class of 2009 Pre-Summer Player Assessments: Central Illinois
by Pat Benninger
June 20, 2007

Tony Ahlers 6’6” 215 lbs PF – Ahlers was introduced to the world the summer before his sophomore season began here at MidStateHoops.com.  He had a strong season, learning from and playing aside 6’8” Southern Illinois post, Carlton Fay.  Tony is a strong rebounder.  He runs the floor well and has a soft touch on his jumpshot.  He plays aggressive and has an improving perimeter game.  Because he is only 6’6”, he may be limited to playing to the mid major level but if he grows, he has a chance to play high major basketball.  On the AAU circuit, Ahlers has played well as the inside presence for the Illinois Wolves’ 16U squad.  He’s already garnered attention from numerous mid major programs including Evansville, Illinois State, IPFW, UW-Green Bay, UW-Milwaukee, and Valparaiso.  Expect a few offers to be collected soon…

James Kinney 6’1” 170 lbs PG – Kinney is a very skilled and talented player.  He is the state’s purest point guard and can be mentioned with the most elite of players when he’s in his “zone”.  The issue of consistency is the questioned raised when regarding his game.  James handles the ball well and is a great passer with a good feel for the game.  He’s an active on the ball defend and is nearly unstoppable when his jumpshot is on, as he has great range and accuracy.  However, when his shooting is not there, he tends to fade into the game.  If he can learn to adjust his game when his jumper is off to a point where it is rarely noticeable, it will make him that much better.  Also, footspeed is a concern.  Kinney is hearing from a great deal of Division I programs from all levels.  Xavier has been the most involved.  Though he will most likely garner a few high major offers, it seems the mid major level would be the best fit for James as it will allow him to grow more as a player.  However, he does have the ability to play in a power conference.  He's competing with both Illinois Stars and Illinois Elite on the AAU circuit.

Jordan Prosser 6’8” 215 lbs PF – Prosser has caught a lot of heat from local scouts due to his level of competition on the high school level.  However, this hasn’t stopped college coaches from drooling over him, and it shouldn’t.  Jordan carries an amazing combination of size and skill, one that hasn’t been seen in Illinois over the course of the past few years.  He is very skilled around the basket and is good at finishing, especially when using the glass.  Also, he is only going to get bigger, as doctors have stated that he has a chance to grow to seven-foot tall.  One question raised about Jordan’s game is his athleticism.  He runs the floor very well but isn’t very quick and only has a 33” vertical leap.  He has been improving his perimeter game to add versatility and has caught the eye of a lot of college coaches over the course of the spring.  Bradley, Xavier, and Wisconsin have all offered Prosser and a lot of Big Ten and atlantic coast area schools are heavily pursuing him.  Prosser has followed a recent trend of Illinois prep stars playing with Indiana AAU programs, as he is now competing with Indiana Elite-ONE.

D.J. Richardson 6’3” 170 lbs SG – Richardson is a hard worker.  Hard work is the reason for his success.  He has improved his skill level a great deal since he entered high school and is continuing to do so.  D.J. handles the ball well, is a good passer, scores well from the outside and off the drive, and is a good rebounder.  He’s also a strong defensive player.  His game images that of Purdue freshman E’twaun Moore a great deal as he is very efficient and does a lot of things well though nothing great.  He will certainly be a high major player as evident by his first five of six scholarship offers.  He is the next big thing from the Peoria area.

D’mitri Riggs 6’2” 180 lbs SG/PG – Riggs came into high school with a great deal of hype that it seems he has yet to live up to.  However, those who follow him closely have realized what type of impact he has made during his two seasons of high school.  He was very stagnant during his two high school seasons but showed the potential and skill that everyone talked about during the AAU circuit.  He’s a very good ball handler and has an amazing feel for the game.  He can really shoot the ball and is great at creating for his teammates.  Physically, D’mitri is much stronger than a lot of players his age.  He’s very long and has all the tools to be a great player on both ends of the floor.  Rebounding is also a strong key to his game.  Work ethic is a question with Riggs as well as a complicated heart condition.  However, he has proven that he is one of the smoothest and the purest talented guard in his class.  He just needs to become more dominant on a consistent basis and vacate his habit of taking plays off.  Illinois State has offered D’mitri a scholarship and he’s heard a lot from nearly every Big Ten program.  However, if University of Illinois offers, expect him to commit.  Like Prosser, Riggs is also one competing with an Indiana-based AAU program--Spiece Gym Rats.

Jordan Walker 6’6” 170 lbs SF – Jordan is a player that we at MidStateHoops.com feels will be a star if he continues to work and progress.  He showed signs he was cutting into his potential this past winter and has been stellar on the AAU circuit with an underrated b team.  Walker has all the tools and makings of a high major player.  He is very long and athletic with a frame allowing him to add weight.  He runs the floor well, finishes well in transition, has an on-point midrange shot, and a good handle for his size.  He is also extending his shooting range.  Defensively, Jordan has the ability to defend all perimeter positions as well as the post.  When he adds strength and pieces his game together the right way, he’s going to be mentioned with the best of the best!  Illinois has been pursuing Walker as well as many other Midwestern programs.

*Jordan Walker recently transferred to Chicago Hales Franciscan.  Therefore, he is no longer a Central Illinois player but is still a high profile talent.

Class of 2009 Pre-Summer Player Assessments: Chicago