A Class we are still building, certainly in the developmental stages. We do have several talented prospects.
NAME / HT / LEVEL / POS / RANK / SCHOOL
• A.J. Casey 6-8 HM WF 1 Tinley Park“A consensus Top 20 national prospect.”
• Kyle Thomas 6-9 ---- C 2 St. Joseph“Rising big man with traditional back to the basket skills. Potential ceiling resembles a high-major recruit.”
• Branden Huff 6-8 ---- F 3 Glenbard West“This southpaw can play. Was injured in early February.”
• Kam Craft 6-5 ---- WG 4 Buffalo Grove“An impressive shooter, he’s already amassed over 1,000 career points.”
• Jaden Schutt 6-4 ---- WG 5 Yorkville Christian“Averaged 24 points per outing, he’s already set a state record with 17 three-pointers in one game. Michigan State and Nebraska offered recently.”
• Robby Avila 6-8 ---- F/C 6 Oak Forest“Unique skill-set, pretty clever kid, not going to woo you with athleticism.”
• Mikell Jones 6-4 ---- G 7 Chicago Farragut“Big time potential, has the physical frame and attributes to be a top-notch offensive player.”
• Jaylen Drane 6-1 ---- PG 8 Chicago Simeon“Has poise & leadership ability. At times he gives you a glimpse of his upside.”
• Trey Pettigrew 6-2 ---- PG 9 Fenwick/Bolingbrook“Has some ability still a way to go with his maturity.”
• Chikere Nwosu 6-3 ---- G/F 10 Lincoln Park“A stud has potential to be a two-way terror. His status up in the air at LP.”
• Mikqwon Jones 6-3 ---- G/F 11 Chicago Farragut“A tough competitor with a rising game, going to be good as he matures.”
• Cooper Noard 6-2 ---- PG 12 Glenbrook South“A sleeper prospect. He as a good understanding on how to run a team.”
• Keynan Davis 6-4 ---- G 13 Hampshire“Talented good lookn’ prospect likely on the move to either Whitney Young or St. Pats.”
• Bobby Durkin 6-4 ---- G/F 14 Hinsdale South“Saw him go for 15 points in a State Sectional Final at Kenwood. Showed poise.”
• Martel Webb 6-7 ---- F 15 Westinghouse“Big body performer who is mobile and can get buckets inside or out.”
• R J Walker 6-2 ---- G 16 Decatur-Eisenhower“Super quick plays with a wealth of confidence. Starting to come into his own.”
• Nick Martinelli 6-8 ---- F 17 Glenbrook South“Has held his own more than enough in several big games.”
• Marcelius Cohen 6-9 ---- PF 18 De La Salle“Big athletic bruiser landed an offer from Detroit last month. Stock climbing.”
• Lane McVicar 6-3 ---- WG 19 South Elgin“A good lookin’ prospect smooth with long arms, one of the top young players in the Northwest Suburbs.”
• Chris Hammonds Jr. 6-3 ---- WG 20 Lincoln Park“We’re really excited about this jump shooter’s upside. Averaged over 20 on the sophomore team.”
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
2020 SLEEPERS/UNHERALED
NAME / HT / LEVEL /POS / RANK / SCHOOL
• Jakobi Heady 6-6 MM+MM WF 15 Hillcrest“Swingman clone splendid outside shooter and a good athlete.”
• Jaiden Lee 6-5 MM WG 19 Joliet West“Recognized one of the top shooters in the class, his stock is rising.”
• Ola Ajiboye 6-8 MM WF 22 Chicago Von Stueben“High academic kid has a good all-around skill set. Northwestern, St. Louis are major players in his recruitment.”
• Gary Clay 6-3 MM G 35 Hyde Park Academy“Very good student, 4.0 GPA. Silk-smooth performer, rapidly emerging prospect.”
• Phillip Holmes 6-7 LM+ PF 46 Simeon“A kid on the rise, his best basketball awaits. Potential diamond in the rough.”
• Jakobi Heady 6-6 MM+MM WF 15 Hillcrest“Swingman clone splendid outside shooter and a good athlete.”
• Jaiden Lee 6-5 MM WG 19 Joliet West“Recognized one of the top shooters in the class, his stock is rising.”
• Ola Ajiboye 6-8 MM WF 22 Chicago Von Stueben“High academic kid has a good all-around skill set. Northwestern, St. Louis are major players in his recruitment.”
• Gary Clay 6-3 MM G 35 Hyde Park Academy“Very good student, 4.0 GPA. Silk-smooth performer, rapidly emerging prospect.”
• Phillip Holmes 6-7 LM+ PF 46 Simeon“A kid on the rise, his best basketball awaits. Potential diamond in the rough.”
TOP PLAYERS IN THE 2021 CLASS
The pandemic brought a halt to many of these youngsters recruiting.
NAME / HT / LEVEL / POS / RANK / SCHOOL
• Max Christie 6-5 HM PG 1 Rolling Meadows “Duke, Ohio State, Michigan State, and Northwestern are the heavy players in his recruitment.”
• Bruce Hopkins 6-6 HM G/F 2 Fenwick“Louisville commit averaged nearly 25 an outing, should be a star on the next level.”
• Chris Hodges 6-8 HM PF 3 Schaumburg“Wisconsin recruit fits the Badger profile with his work ethic and ability to compete at a high level. He’s bringing a wealth of athleticism to that backline.”
• Ahmad Bynum 6-2 HM G 4 Chicago Simeon“DePaul recruit brings much needed outside shooting.”
• John Poulakidas 6-5 HM WG 5 Neuqua Valley“Reliable outside marksmen can drain jumpers in a flurry. Notre Dame, Stanford, Rutgers, Northwestern all in the hunt.”
• Isaiah Barnes 6-7 HM WG 6 Simeon“Should be an Alan Houston clone. He is smooth, looking for some national respect. Recently gave Michigan a verbal.”
• Troy D’Amico 6-7 MM+ F 7 Niles Notre Dame“Possesses a unique skill set, averaged 15.6 per game, an uncanny passer has the ability to find an open man. Southern Illinois, Valparaiso, Loyola Chicago, Virginia Tech, and Utah State has been targeting him closely.”
• Louis Lesmond 6-5 MM+ WG 8 Niles Notre Dame“Has a sleet game with deceptive athleticism, has a lot on the line during open period.”
• Grant Newell 6-7 MM+ F 9 Whitney Young“Very versatile with a huge upside. His future is on the perimeter where he can exhibit his athleticism. His recruitment should line up with Big East, A10, Missouri Valley, Pac 12.”
• Tevin Smith 6-5 MM+ G 10 Danville“A scorer plagued by the injury bug. DePaul, Oregon, and the entire Missouri Valley.”
NAME / HT / LEVEL / POS / RANK / SCHOOL
• Max Christie 6-5 HM PG 1 Rolling Meadows “Duke, Ohio State, Michigan State, and Northwestern are the heavy players in his recruitment.”
• Bruce Hopkins 6-6 HM G/F 2 Fenwick“Louisville commit averaged nearly 25 an outing, should be a star on the next level.”
• Chris Hodges 6-8 HM PF 3 Schaumburg“Wisconsin recruit fits the Badger profile with his work ethic and ability to compete at a high level. He’s bringing a wealth of athleticism to that backline.”
• Ahmad Bynum 6-2 HM G 4 Chicago Simeon“DePaul recruit brings much needed outside shooting.”
• John Poulakidas 6-5 HM WG 5 Neuqua Valley“Reliable outside marksmen can drain jumpers in a flurry. Notre Dame, Stanford, Rutgers, Northwestern all in the hunt.”
• Isaiah Barnes 6-7 HM WG 6 Simeon“Should be an Alan Houston clone. He is smooth, looking for some national respect. Recently gave Michigan a verbal.”
• Troy D’Amico 6-7 MM+ F 7 Niles Notre Dame“Possesses a unique skill set, averaged 15.6 per game, an uncanny passer has the ability to find an open man. Southern Illinois, Valparaiso, Loyola Chicago, Virginia Tech, and Utah State has been targeting him closely.”
• Louis Lesmond 6-5 MM+ WG 8 Niles Notre Dame“Has a sleet game with deceptive athleticism, has a lot on the line during open period.”
• Grant Newell 6-7 MM+ F 9 Whitney Young“Very versatile with a huge upside. His future is on the perimeter where he can exhibit his athleticism. His recruitment should line up with Big East, A10, Missouri Valley, Pac 12.”
• Tevin Smith 6-5 MM+ G 10 Danville“A scorer plagued by the injury bug. DePaul, Oregon, and the entire Missouri Valley.”
EARLY 2020 COMMITMENTS
NAME / HT / POS / RANK / HIGH SCHOOL / COLLEGE CHOICE
• Chris Hodges 6-8 PF 3 Schaumburg / University Wisconsin
• Connor Enright 6-2 PG 12 Mundelein / Drake University
• Ahmad Bynum 6-2 G 4 Simeon / DePaul University
• Bryce Hopkins 6-7 G/F 2 Fenwick / University Louisville
• Isaiah Barnes 6-7 WG 6 Oak Park/Simeon / University Michigan
Several of my favorite young guys have a ‘new residence’ on their coaching resume. Hyde Park named Jamere Dismukes as its new head coach. He comes to Jackson Park area highly touted and brings a wealth of star quality. Dismukes will look to accelerate the Program pass the likes of Simeon, Bogan, Curie, Morgan Park, and Corliss who have been perennial powers in the Red South Conference for the last several years. Jamere was a first-year coach at Rich East last season where he won 15 games.
Phil Gary Jr. will take over the Oak Park Program after spending last season as Walter Payton’s head coach. Remember he replaced Quinn Peterson last summer who went on to the University of Missouri. Matt Maloney stepped down in May leaving an open vacancy at the West Suburban school. Gary, an Oak Park High Alum, will have his hands full starting from scratch with the departures of two highly regarded 2021 prospects. Isaiah Barnes will look to build on his rep nationally at Simeon sharing some of the limelight with “Black Cat” Bynum and junior guard Jaylen Drane. Now 6-3 guard Josh Smith ranked 22 in the Class at the Spot-Liter will take his rising game to Culver City, California. This has to be heart breaking for many of us in our area to constantly witness the loss of several of our top players to California and Arizona schools in recent years. Phil Jr. will do a fantastic job rebuilding that Program.
Mike Smith will look to resurrect some steam into the Perspective High School Program, formerly known as Calumet. He is going to have to restart the building blocks without 6-4 senior Jeffrey Oakley who was the team’s best player and prospect. He averaged close to 17 per game last season. Oakley darted off to Corliss. Smith will be an instant splash at the newly plush south side school on 87th Street off the Dan Ryan expressway.
The 2020 Class had 31 players sign Division One scholarships. Those are woeful numbers for our big city area, in fact those are small market numbers. There has to be an immediate change in the next few classes.
University of Illinois took a project in 6-11 Brandon Lieb of Deerfield High School. This looks to be a good pick up where they will have two to three years to develop this big fella who runs the floor well, competes at a high level, and he is a rim protector. The flip side is that he would be patient and would not be looking to put his name in the draft for a while. The key is to keep him out of the transfer portal. Lieb was the 31st Division One recruit.
• Chris Hodges 6-8 PF 3 Schaumburg / University Wisconsin
• Connor Enright 6-2 PG 12 Mundelein / Drake University
• Ahmad Bynum 6-2 G 4 Simeon / DePaul University
• Bryce Hopkins 6-7 G/F 2 Fenwick / University Louisville
• Isaiah Barnes 6-7 WG 6 Oak Park/Simeon / University Michigan
Several of my favorite young guys have a ‘new residence’ on their coaching resume. Hyde Park named Jamere Dismukes as its new head coach. He comes to Jackson Park area highly touted and brings a wealth of star quality. Dismukes will look to accelerate the Program pass the likes of Simeon, Bogan, Curie, Morgan Park, and Corliss who have been perennial powers in the Red South Conference for the last several years. Jamere was a first-year coach at Rich East last season where he won 15 games.
Phil Gary Jr. will take over the Oak Park Program after spending last season as Walter Payton’s head coach. Remember he replaced Quinn Peterson last summer who went on to the University of Missouri. Matt Maloney stepped down in May leaving an open vacancy at the West Suburban school. Gary, an Oak Park High Alum, will have his hands full starting from scratch with the departures of two highly regarded 2021 prospects. Isaiah Barnes will look to build on his rep nationally at Simeon sharing some of the limelight with “Black Cat” Bynum and junior guard Jaylen Drane. Now 6-3 guard Josh Smith ranked 22 in the Class at the Spot-Liter will take his rising game to Culver City, California. This has to be heart breaking for many of us in our area to constantly witness the loss of several of our top players to California and Arizona schools in recent years. Phil Jr. will do a fantastic job rebuilding that Program.
Mike Smith will look to resurrect some steam into the Perspective High School Program, formerly known as Calumet. He is going to have to restart the building blocks without 6-4 senior Jeffrey Oakley who was the team’s best player and prospect. He averaged close to 17 per game last season. Oakley darted off to Corliss. Smith will be an instant splash at the newly plush south side school on 87th Street off the Dan Ryan expressway.
The 2020 Class had 31 players sign Division One scholarships. Those are woeful numbers for our big city area, in fact those are small market numbers. There has to be an immediate change in the next few classes.
University of Illinois took a project in 6-11 Brandon Lieb of Deerfield High School. This looks to be a good pick up where they will have two to three years to develop this big fella who runs the floor well, competes at a high level, and he is a rim protector. The flip side is that he would be patient and would not be looking to put his name in the draft for a while. The key is to keep him out of the transfer portal. Lieb was the 31st Division One recruit.
PIVOTAL MOVEMENT
The Illinois Boys State Tournament will return to Champaign after its departure 23 years ago. Peoria was an excellent landing spot in 1996, particularly amid Peoria Manual’s 4-year strong-hold on the state’s high school hoops crown. The destination choice at that time coincided with the area having a hot-bed of talented players coming through the ranks such as A.J. Guyton (Central), Mike Robinson (Richwoods), Willie Coleman (Manual), Serg McClain (Manual), Marcus Griffin (Manual), Nick Knapp (Woodruff), J.R. Koch (Morton), Matt Moran (Pekin), Jerrence Howard (Central), Ivan Watson (Manual), Mark Vershaw (East Peoria), Frank Williams (Manual), and Jason Jenkins (East Peoria). Not to mention some of the state’s highly regarded coaches who were recognized for their abilities on the sidelines as well as turning over untapped talent. The Tournament will be played in the newly renovated State Farm Center. For many of us long time observers/followers, the decision comes as bittersweet. Peoria had a heck of a run for the first ten years or so, offering a great venue with large enthusiastic crowds and pumping some new energy into the Tournament atmosphere.
Hopefully, a change of scenery will spark some much-needed interest and participation at the State Tournament. We certainly cannot revisit any of those price gouging days from local hotels in the Champaign area in which we clearly witnessed back then.
Hopefully, a change of scenery will spark some much-needed interest and participation at the State Tournament. We certainly cannot revisit any of those price gouging days from local hotels in the Champaign area in which we clearly witnessed back then.
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