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Chicago City Suburban Showdown

Last year the #1 player in the Class of 2007, Derrick Rose flat out put on a show!  He and his two time state champion teammates defeated the #2 and #3 players in the state of Illinois' Class of 2007 in Evan Turner and DeMetri McCamey.  This year the crowd was not quite as big, but the names were just as big to those who follow recruiting.  The first game matched up one of the top seniors in the state, Georgia Tech signee Iman Shumpert, and the #1 sophomore in the state and top 5 nationally in the Class of 2010, Illinois commitment Jereme Richmond.  The second game wasn't to shabby either with Memphis power forward Angel Garcia for East Chicago and underrated sophomore shooting guard Alex Rossi.  Lets see how it played out! 

Jereme Richmond SF Waukegan (IL) Class of 2010 (Illinois)

Everyone in the state of Illinois knows who Jereme Richmond is.  Especially the fans to the University of Illinois.  He is the savior of Illinois basketball!!!  J-Rich is the biggest recruit ever committed to Bruce Weber (not counting a certain shooting guard in the state next door).  He could be the one that restores the program back to the 2005 final four team form.  Jereme is still very thin at this young stage in his career.  Adding bulk to his frame will be something he needs to work on over the next two years of high school and early on in his college career.  He has a quick shot put release with a soft touch.  Richmond can get in the lane and finish through contact.  He gets to the foul line and is an average shooter from the charity stripe.  Richmond can fill the other catagories to, as he is good at attacking the weakside glass for rebounds and will make good passes.  The future Illini showed his length and athletism on the defensive end by helping hold Iman Shumpert to only 7 points.  Richmond had a nice block from the weakside.  He has that "it" factor.  It looks like he is floating on the court.  Jereme finished with 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assist, and 1 block shot in Waukegan's 39-49 loss to Oak Park River Forest.  Jereme Richmond is a name to remember.  He is a top 5 player in the class of 2010 and has the chance to move up this summer.
 

Iman Shumpert SG Oak Park River Forest (IL) Class of 2008 (Georgia Tech)

The Georgia Tech signee did not have his best game tonight.  Shumpert's stock soared over the past year.  He went from a name in the midwest to a nationally known recruit with the likes of Georgia Tech and North Carolina recruiting him.  Shumpert picked up two early fouls against Waukegan.  His shot just wasn't on tonight.  Jereme Richmond's length bothered Shumpert and held him to 7 points.  He has a good looking jumper, but it did not fall.  Quick hands in the passing lanes on defense was something I like out to the future Yellow Jacket's game.  Iman was held to just 7 points and 2 rebounds in his highly anticipated matchup with the top sophomore in the state.  The two talked smack all game long, trying to prove who is Chicago's best baller.  To be honest the two times I have seen Shumpert play I was not that impressed.  After this game his stock will take a slight hit despite the win.  Shumpert is a top 40 player in the Class of 2008.
 

Angel Garcia PF East Chicago (IN) Class of 2008 (Memphis)

Garcia was very impressive in his outing in Chicago.  He has more of a European power forward's game as apposed to most most American big men's games.  Garcia can dribble on the perimeter and hit the college 3 point shot.  His range even went all the way to half court as he hit a long one at the buzzer to end the 1st.  He plays inside out and uses the glass to his advantage.  On the defensive end he used his upper body strength and athleticism to block 2 shots, staying up and down while doing so.  At Memphis Garcia will be used as a 4 man in Coah Cal's system, but expect him to be looked at by NBA teams as a small forward prospect.  Garcia solidified a top 30 ranking in his class.

Alex Rossi SG New Treir (IL) Class of 2010

The Class of 2010 is a very heralded class in the basketball talent rich state of Illinois, but Rossi is a kid that is over looked.  When talking about this class the names that come to mind are Richmond, Head, and Anthony Johnson.  Rossi belongs right there behind those guys though.  The shooting guard is extremely active and has a Adam Morrison quality to his game.  Rossi is deadly from 3 point range!  The spot up shooter's stroke is beautiful and went in at a good clip.  He also showed off some athleticism.  Rossi can drive and dish as well as hitting the floater in the lane.  I had Rossi for 15 points in this one.  Rossi really impressed me a lot.  I think with added strength to his body Rossi has the potential to be a real steal and a top 50 player nationally in the Class of 2010 if his game continues to develop.