THESE GUYS ARE READY TO OPEN EYES
PANDEMIC COST JUNIORS CHANCE TO SHOWCASE THEMSELVES TO COLLEGES IN OFFSEASON, BUT THEIR TIME IS COMING
They are aching to be seen. The uncertainty of when these players will have eyes on them still lingers. The pandemic has shut down evaluation periods and limited the showcase opportunities over the last seven months. “We as a staff have never been more behind with a junior class,” said a highmajor college assistant coach in regard to evaluating the Class of 2022.
It’s going to take more time, but it’s coming. The fanfare for these players will arrive in due time.
DYLAN ARNETT, DEPAUL PREP
While he had some brief appearances at the varsity level as a sophomore, Arnett is a relative unknown. But he has impressed in workouts and scrimmages with the Illinois Wolves over the last several months.
As a result, the 6-9 big man has vaulted up the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s Class of 2022 rankings and is now a rock-solid midmajor prospect before the start of his junior season.
Arnett boasts a big, strong body and frame but can get off the floor and runs the court well for a player his size. He also can step away from the basket and spread the floor with threepoint shooting range.
TAVARI JOHNSON, LYONS
After dominating at the sophomore level last winter with over 20 points per game, the 6-0 junior opened eyes in a scattered offseason. With no returning starters for coach Tom Sloan, expect the ball in Johnson’s hands a lot and opportunities galore for the slick point guard.
Johnson can score at all levels. He’s effective at getting to the rim with his basketball speed and has three-point range and a pull-up game off the dribble. With the now underrated tool of vision to find teammates, Johnson is set to emerge as one of the top guards in the class.
CADEN PIERCE, GLENBARD WEST
As a sophomore last season, he was just a baby physically playing at the varsity level, yet he made a significant impact with his overall production and well-rounded game. He handled point-guard duties, was the team’s best perimeter defender, led the team in charges taken and filled the stat sheet.
The late-developing Pierce is full of upside. He has grown to 6-5 while maintaining the versatility he showed a year ago. Look for his impact and production to increase.
ETHAN MARLOWE, ST. CHARLES NORTH
This ultra-intriguing, 6-8 forward played valuable minutes off the bench last season and showed flashes of being a Division I prospect.
While his numbers were modest, he impressed with versatility for his size. He continued to show improvement this offseason and now is among the top 20 prospects in the class. Marlowe has length and agility and can play inside and outside as a 4-man who can stretch the floor. He shot 39% from the three-point line a year ago.
BEN VANDERWAL, TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN
Before the shutdown in March, Timothy Christian was headed to Peoria for a Class 2A state semifinal against Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin. VanderWalwas a big reasonwhy.
The sophomore averaged 10.3 points a game while leading the team in rebounding with 7.2 a game. He also knocked in 36 three-pointers.
As Vander Wal pushes toward 6-6, his overall game has expanded, and his confidence has taken a step forward. As a result, he has climbed the class rankings and become a player to watch in the Class of 2022. Vander Wal has some athleticism off the floor, can shoot the three and is a wiry finisher around the basket.
NICK MARTINELLI AND COOPER NOARD, GLENBROOK SOUTH
This junior tandem helped the Titans to a school-record 29 wins a year ago as sophomores. Both are poised for a breakout year and will be two of the top players in the Central Suburban League South. They will emerge as scholarship-type prospects.
After playing in the shadow of his brother, Dom, Nick, a 6-6 junior, has shown versatility, craftiness and production. Noard is a top-shelf, competitive guard with scoring ability (11.4 points per game) who excels at shooting. The 6-0 guard buried a whopping 84 threes while shooting 43% from beyond the arc. ✶