We are checking in on some of the local Illinois players in college who are producing through the first few weeks of the year. Throughout the year, we will periodically highlight some of the college players from the area.
Terrence Shannon Jr. (Illinois) – Lincoln Park
Texas Tech transfer averaged 19 points and six rebounds while getting to the foul line 22 times in 2 wins for the Fighting Illini.
Ty Rodgers (Illinois) – Thornton
Serving a multi-purpose role and impacting games defensively. Averaging 4.5 boards and 3.0 assists.
TY Johnson (UC Davis) – DePaul Prep
Was instrumental in a win over Pac-12 contender Cal. Had 17 points and eight rebounds in that game followed by a 20-point game on Wednesday.
Trey Calvin (Wright State) – St. Viator
One of the biggest opening night performances going for 37 points against Davidson. Calvin hit a game-winner against Louisville and had another 17 points in that one.
Keshawn Williams (NIU) – Bloom
Playing in a leading role for the Huskies, Williams averaged 21 points and averaged nearly 38 minutes in the first two games of the year.
Xavier Amos (NIU) – Whitney Young
Opened his college career with five points and six rebounds against Northwestern.
Keenon Cole (Lindenwood) – Streamwood
Averaging eight points and four rebounds after transferring to Lindenwood over the summer.
RayJ Dennis (Toledo) – Oswego East
Scored 23 points in each of his first two games while compiling 11 assists
Jake Wolfe (Morehead State) – Aurora Christian
Wolfe had a productive 14 point, five rebound outing in win over Bellarmine.
Conor Enright (Drake) – Mundelein
The second year point guard is starting and had 10 points, three rebounds, and four assists in the first game.
Lance Jones (Southern Illinois) – Evanston
Having a nice start to his senior season. Put up 19 points in a big program win over Oklahoma State. Followed that up with 14 points against Little Rock.
Troy D’Amico (Southern Illinois) – Notre Dame College Prep
Has started both games. 6-foot-7 sophomore is averaging seven points, two rebounds, and one steal per game.
Ben Schweiger (Loyola [IL]) – Waubonsie Valley
Set for a breakout season, Schweiger went for 14 points, four rebounds and two assists in win over Tulsa.
Tom Welch (Loyola [IL]) – Naperville North
Looks like Walsh is next up in the line of productive Loyola forwards. He averaged 13.7 points and 7.7 rebounds during the week and has provided leadership on the court as well.
Jalen Quinn (Loyola [IL]) – Tuscola
Started his freshman debut and had nine points and four assists for the Ramblers.
Ethan Roberts (Army) – Hersey
15 points on five threes in opening game, his first as a college player.
Drew Peterson (USC) – Libertyville
Do-it-all guard is a serious pro prospect. Averaged 14.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists over the first two games while shooting 60 percent from the field.
Antonio Reeves (Kentucky) – Simeon
A certified scorer, Reeves is leading the fourth-ranked Wildcats with 20 points per game and 55 percent shooting from three.
Adam Miller (LSU) – Morgan Park
Good to see Miller back after battling some injuries. He got off to a hot start with 18 points and four threes in the opener.
Ahron Uhlis (Iowa) – Marian Catholic
Quick point guards is averaging 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.
Christian Jones (UIC) – East St. Louis
Had five points, six assists, and four rebounds in his freshman opener.
Justin Mullins (Denver) – OPRF
Already starting as a freshman. Putting up 6.5 points and 2.0 rebouds.
Luke Yoder (North Dakota State)
Illinois Wesleyan transfer is starting and transitioning nicely as a playmaker. Currently leads the Bison in total assists (2.5 per game) and is adding 3.0 rebounds.
Damari Wheeler-Thomas (North Dakota State) – Larkin
Played 18 minutes after returning from injury and had three assists against a nationally ranked Kansas team.
Connor Kochera (Davidson) – St. Viator
Seasoned and reliable on both ends, the William & Mary transfer is starting and averaging 9.0 points, 6.5 boards, and 2.0 apg assists while shooting 42.9 percent from three.
Christian Schumate (McNeese) – Bloom
In only 21 minutes, Schumate had 20 points and 12 rebounds in the first game of the season.
Cooper Noard (Cornell) – Glenbrook South
Skilled shooter had 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in 15 minutes of their second game.
Jackson Munro (Dartmouth) – New Trier
Had a very efficient outing with 10 points and 6 rebounds in a big win on Saturday.
Louis Lesmond (Harvard) – Notre Dame College Prep
Following a quality freshman season, Lesmond is averaging 6.5 points so far.
Sam Silverstein (Harvard) – New Trier
Giving the Crimson an instant scoring punch, Silverstein is averaging 13 points on 71 percent shooting.
Alex Timmerman (Bucknell) – Crystal Lake Central
In a win Saturday against Niagara, he had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Bryce Moore (Niagara) – Carmel
Starting as a true freshman and averaging 7.5 ppg. Has added value defensively as well.
Ben VanderWal (Furman) – Timothy Christian
The freshman had 11 points, seven boards, two assists, two steals, and a block in his debut.
Tevin Smith (Denver) – Danville
Coming off a solid freshman year, Smith is averaging 16 points over the first two games.
Cade Pierce (Princeton) – Glenbard West
Pulled in 10 rebounds while adding seven points, had two assists, and added quality defense in a 37-minute start in his first college game.
Kendrick Tchoua (UIndy) – Benet
Physical forward scored 14 points and pulled in 7 rebounds in their first game.
Malik Hardmon (Quincy) – Crete-Monee
Has averaged 13.5 points and 7 rebounds thus far for Quincy.
Connor Davis (Quincy) – Neuqua Valley
Producing well off of the bench with 7.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and shooting 4-6 from three.
Paul Zilinskas (Quincy) – Riverside Brookfield
Had a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double on Saturday. Only has two turnovers so far this season.
Beau Frericks (Lewis) – Cary Grove
Shooter had 11 points and three rebounds in their opener.
Peter Lambesis (Trevecca Nazarene) – St. Viator
Versatile Illinois Wesleyan transfer is averaging nine points, four rebounds, and two assists. Plus defense as well.
Noah Franklin (Southwest Baptist) – Cobden
In only 24 minutes a game, Franklin is averaging 16.5 points and 4.5 rebounds.
Rasheed Bello (Wisconsin Parkside) – DePaul College Prep
Having a blistering start, averaging 19.5 points, six assists, four rebounds, and two steals so far.
Mitch Mascari (Northwest Missouri State) – Geneva
Six points on two made threes in 26 minutes yesterday. Averaging 6.8 points and 2.8 rebounds on 44 percent shooting from three in 33 minutes per game for the defending D2 champions.
Bryson Bultman (McKendree) – Nashville
Played 39 minutes and compiled 23 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists while going 11-13 at the foul line in the opener.
Jordan Rice (Illinois-Springfield) – Rock Island
The sophomore point guard averaged 14.5 points, five rebounds, and four assists over two games during the week
Connor Dillon (Winona State) – Peoria Notre Dame
Averaging 20.5 points and 5.0 rebounds thus far. Dillon has connected on six threes already in two games.
Declan Dillon (Winona State) – Peoria Notre Dame
Started both games and is provided value outside of the scoring column. Eight assists, four rebounds, and three steals so far.
Trevor Montiel (Benedictine) – Lake Park
Had a big sophomore year and had an efficient 18 points and eight rebounds in their first game.
Marvin Agwomoh (Benedictine) – Sandburg
A senior leader for the Eagles, Agwomoh went for 17 points, six rebounds, and three steals to start the year.
Nick Kosich (Benedictine) – York
Another impact senior, Kosich played 34 minutes and had 16 points and four assists in game one.
Evan Ambrose (Augustana) – Stevenson
Gritty transfer point guard is averaging 4.5 points, 3.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds off of the bench.
Chase Larsen (Augustana) – Prospect
A potential breakout forward, Larsen is averaging 8.5 points and 7.0 rebounds.
Matt Hawkins (Augustana) – Mount Carmel
Looks good so far. Averaging 10.5 points and 3.0 assists.
Matt Hanushewsky (Augustana) – Hersey
Floor general for Augie is second in scoring at 11.5 points and first in assists at 5.0 dimes per game.
Josh Berry (Carnegie Melllon) – Lyons
The experience is showing, averaging 8.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists from the point guard spot.
Aidan Murphy (Carnegie Mellon) – Glenbard West
Floor spacing sophomore is 7.5 points and 2.5 assists.
RJ Holmes (Carnegie Mellon) – Stevenson
Holmes finished the week averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds for an experienced Carnegie Mellon team.
Filip Bulatovic (Carthage) – Maine South
The All-American candidate had 21 points and seven rebounds in the opening game.
Julian Campbell (Carthage) – Palatine
The big man is scoring 14 points a game to this point.
AJ Johnson (Carthage) – Oswego East
Well-rounded guard is starting and averaging eight points.
Aaron Wofford (Carroll) – South Elgin
Emerging for Carroll, Wofford is averaging 10.5 points per game.
Grant Niego (DePauw) – Lyons
Niego remains as a steady, productive piece in the backcourt. Averaging 8.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and three assists.
Andre Bennett (Dominican) – Mount Carmel
A transfer from Lake Forest who makes plays, Bennett is off to a nice start with 11.5 points and 3.0 assists.
Joshua West (Dominican) – Westinghouse
Only a freshman, West averaged 15.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game.
Ocean Johnson (Elmhurst) – Leyden
The 6-foot-3 guard had 18 rebounds over two games and averaged 21 points over those games.
Wesley Hooker (Elmhurst) – Downers Grove South
Looks like a perfect one-two punch with Johnson. Averaging 17.5 points.
Ryan Sroka (Illinois Wesleyan) – Huntley
Expected to take a huge leap as a junior, Sroka opened the year with 16 points and seven rebounds against a tough Yeshiva team.
Lucas Heflen (Illinois Wesleyan) – St. Charles North
Takes over as the lead guard. Had nine points and five rebounds in a win over Yeshiva.
JT Welch (Millikin) – Bloomington Central Catholic
Starting at guard, Welch had 13 points in their opener.
Noah Livington (Millikin) – Casey Westfield
Another sophomore who is going to be key for Milikin. 9 points
Nick Hesch (Lawrence) – York
Has made a great comeback from ACL surgery. Starting as a true freshman, averaging 8 points and four rebounds while shooting 50 percent from three.
Arnav Jain (Lawrence) – Crystal Lake South
Freshman guard averaging six points off of the bench for Lawrence.
Julian Triffo (North Central) – Maine South
Playing a big role as a freshman, Triffo is averaging five points and four rebounds.
Matt Helwig (North Central) – Metea Valley
Legitimate All-American candidate who is one of the top returning scorers in the country, Helwig scored 52 total points in two games while averaging 6.5 rebounds.
Ethan Helwig (North Central) – Metea Valley
The skilled forward is shooting 67 percent from three thus far and putting up 18 points and six rebounds per game. Had a career-high 32 points yesterday.
Ali Sabet (Loras) – Maine East
Sabet has been dynamic so far, averaging 22.5 points on 51.9 percent shooting.
Tyler Bass (Loras) – Washington
Lanky forward is starting as a sophomore and averaging 15 points and six assists while going 12-13 at the FT line.
Eric Peterson (UW-Oshkosh) – Batavia
Experienced returned for the top-5 Oshkosh team. Averaging 9.7 points in three games.
Max Love (UW-Plateville) – St. Charles North
Had 16 points on 4-6 shooting from three in his first game.
Micah Schnyders (Wheaton) – Yorkville Christian
Eastern Illinois transfer has been a difference maker. Averaging 14.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting a blistering 62.5 percent from three.
Will Grudzinski (Wash U) – Barrington
6-foot-7 shooter is already starting as a freshman. Has 19 points and six rebounds through two games and has made five threes at a 45.5 percent clip.
Yogi Oliff (Wash U) – Niles North
Creative freshman is making an impact off of the bench. Averaging 7.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.
Jake Wolf (Wash U) – Lake Forest Academy
6-foot-10 sophomore is averaging 10.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.
Maki Mohr (St. Xavier) – McHenry
Explosive guard is averaging nine points a game.
JR Cison (Trinity Christian) – Lake Zurich
On pace to be one of the leading NAIA scorers, Cison is averaging 21.8 points a game on 50.7 percent shooting with 4.0 assist a game.
Troy Glover (Trinity Christian) – Glenbard West
Excelling as a rim runner in his first college season. Averaging 7.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, and a team-leading 2.2 blocks per game.
Kyonte Thomas (Trinity International) – Bolingbrook
Dynamic lead guard is averaging 11.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.3 steals.
Donovan Brown (Prairie State) – Plainfield Central
Has averaged 14.5 points so far this season.
Lane McVicar (Iowa Western) – DeKalb
Versatile guard has started every game and is averaging 5.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.8 steals.
Caleb Burton (Blackhawk College) – O’Fallon
Averaging 10.5 points while shooting 42.4 percent from three.