Class Of 2011 Hidden Gem: Quintin Chievous

October 15, 2009

7:30 P.M. CST

The fact that the class of 2011 in Illinois is absolutely loaded at the top is a well-known fact that was established quite some time ago.  However, the list of unheralded prospects in this class of 2011 seems to grow on an almost daily basis and with each and every high school basketball event that one takes in.

The latest name that definitely deserves to be mentioned in this group is 6'4 Quintin Chievous from Notre Dame College Prep in Niles, IL, who impressed us when we watched him in action at the Joy Of The Game Fall Exposure League recently.  In fact, we thought that Chievous was the best player on the floor in the first game that we watched that evening, a contest which included 5'10 class of 2012 guard Aaron Simpson from North Chicago High School in North Chicago, IL.

We see Chievous as a combo 2/3 who right now probably falls more on the 3 side.  He is highly athletic, runs the floor well and is effective in transition and on the break.  In addition, Chievous can also put the ball on the floor, is adept at getting to the basket and also sports a nice mid-range jumper.

While Chievous does have a good degree of versatility, there are some areas that will undoubtedly require further work.  Above everything else, Chievous needs to get considerably stronger in order to become a more consistent finisher.  He will also need to expand his shooting range in order to compliment his ability to drive and slash.  Nevertheless, Chievous has a great up side and is a player that we believe should continue to be monitored closely.

Chievous will be the leader of a young but experienced Notre Dame team that we think could surprise a lot of people this upcoming season in the East Suburban Catholic Conference.

Additional Notes

... There is no question that 6'5 class of 2011 forward Kourtney Darby of St. Patrick High School in Chicago has been receiving increased recruiting attention as of late.  In fact, Fairfield University recently came forward with a scholarship offer to Darby to go along with the one that they extended to Darby's teammate, 6'5 class of 2011 shooting guard Jacob Williams, an offer that we reported quite some time ago.  Not only that, but Loyola-Chicago assistant coach Pat Baldwin watched Darby in an open gym at St. Patrick this week and Darby also visited Bradley University not long ago.

... Illinois Prep Bulls-eye extends its congratulations to Wayne McClain on his promotion to Associate Head Coach at the University Of Illinois.  The bottom line is that we knew long ago that McClain was an outstanding coach.  McClain was a four time winner of our Illinois High School Coach Of The Year award and as a result, we have sinced renamed that award the Wayne McClain Coach Of The Year Award.

Continue to check in with Illinois Prep Bulls-eye for all of the latest as it pertains to high school basketball and recruiting in Illinois.