Aurora Christian
Marshawn Cocroft (So.) | Cam Morel (Sr.)
Cocroft broke out as a freshman and is set to return as the floor general with more scoring responsibilities. Morel (6-foot-4) has emerged as a hot Division 3 target after showing deep shooting range and physicality over the summer. Both could average 15-plus points a game.
Benet
Gabe Sularski (So.) | Jayden Wright (So.) | Patrick Walsh (Sr.) | Nick Schroeder (Sr.) | Blake Fagbemi (Jr.) | Ryan Walsh (So.)
The 6-foot-6 do-it-all sophomore Sularski leads the way as one of the most polished 2026 players in the Midwest. He’s entering his first varsity season along with a savvy playmaker in Wright, shifty point guard in Fagbemi, and knockdown shooter in Ryan Walsh. Patrick Walsh is the top returning guard who brings plus toughness and athleticism while the 6-foot-4 Metea Valley transfer Nick Schroeder will give them another scoring threat.
Bloom
Elijah Lovemore (Jr.) | Payton Edwards (Jr.) | Amare Pryor (So.)
Lovemore is a lanky, high-IQ playmaker with terrific vision. He’s joined by Edwards, a likely breakout candidate who also has scholarship-level college ability as an explosive lefty who competes on both ends. Pryor is in from Hyde Park after looking like a dynamic scorer for Meanstreets over the summer.
Bolingbrook
Josh Aniceto (Sr.) | DJ Strong (Sr.) | Davion Thompson (Fr.) | Trey Brost (So.) | KJ Cathey (Sr.)
There is a lot of depth and experience with Aniceto, Strong, and Cathey returning. Aniceto should be a leader and a player who sets the tone. Thompson has special ability, already looking like one of the best long-term prospects in the state. He and Brost, a skilled, quick, tough guard, don’t play like underclassmen.
Brother Rice
Cale Cosme (Sr.) | Marcos Gonzales (Jr.) | Ty Wooten (Sr.)
Cosme (Lewis) is going to be an All-CCL point guard and has that takeover ability to advance into the postseason. Look for Gonzales to step up into a big role and showcase his complete offensive game. Wooten, a transfer, is the perfect complement as another scorer who is willing to run the wings in transition.
Curie
Carlos Harris (Sr.) | Christian Brockett (Sr.) | Will Gonzalez (Sr.) | Mike Oliver Jr. (So.)
The UIC commit Harris is among the top guards in the city. Brockett is a shutdown defender and Gonzalez comes in via Riverside Brookfield where he was a wiry, talented offensive weapon. Oliver now looks primed to play big minutes and space the floor on a team with a lot of maturity.
DePaul Prep
Makai Kvamme (Jr.) | PJ Chambers (Sr.) | Robert Walls (Jr.) | AJ Chambers (So.)
Kvamme, PJ Chambers, and Walls were all key pieces on the state championship team. All three play with pace and have a sense of urgency on the defensive end. Kvamme’s vision and ball-handling ability are what you look for in a lead guard. PJ could be a top-two scoring threat this year and Walls will be that high-energy, electric open court player. Look for the younger Chambers brother to have a nice future as well.
Downers Grove North
Jack Stanton (Sr.) | Owen Thulin (Sr.) | Alex Miller (Sr.)
Stanton is a top-five player in the state and will be on the Mr. Basketball watchlist. The Princeton commit has put on a ton of muscle to add to his shooting, three-level scoring, and ability to guard the ball. Thulin, another three-year player, battles and provides leadership and shooting ability. Miller (6-foot-5) is the one who could see the biggest role change, now expected to be a higher-volume offensive threat. He’s a solid D3 prospect.
Evergreen Park
Nolan Sexton (Sr.) | Tre Dowdell (Sr.) | Keshaun Vaval (Jr.) | Lonnie Mosley (So.)
Sexton has been making waves since his freshman year, mastering in the ability to score from the perimeter. Dowdell (Brother Rice) and Vaval (Marist) are impact transfers that can heat up in a hurry. Mosley is next up for Evergreen Park following a standout freshman year.
Fremd
Ryan Cox (Sr.) | Samuel Hirsch (Jr.) | Rafael Pinto (So.)
A ton of length and shooting. Cox is one of the elite three-point shooters in the area, but will act as a playmaker as well this year. Hirsch is another likely all-conference player set to take a step up in production. Keep an eye on Pinto, a 6-foot-3 sophomore who can work on or off the ball.
Glenbrook North
Josh Fridman (Sr.) | Owen Giannoulias (Sr.) | Sam Lappin (Sr.)
A lot hinges on the health of Fridman, among the best two-way point guards in the state after last season. Giannoulias is a gem for college coaches with how hard he plays, the precise decision making, and efficiency as a penetrator and shooter. Lappin is another guard who may lack some size but is tenacious and relentless on both ends.
Glenbrook South
Nate Kasher (Sr.) | Anestis Hadjistamoulou (Jr.) | JP Hubbard (Sr.) | Hudson Fuller (Jr.) | Dominick Johnson (Sr.)
Kasher and Hadjistamoulou are the focal points. Both were important pieces a year ago but will be part of a talented big three for GBS. Kasher as a shooter and Anestis as a multi-faceted floor general. Hubbard, Fuller, and Johnson could all add some value playing around them.
Homewood Flossmoor
Gianni Cobb (Sr.) | Bryce Heard (Jr.) | Jayden Tyler (Jr.) | Carson Brownfield (Sr.)
The transfer market served them well. Cobb (Columbia) and Tyler are both excellent point guards who manufacture offense in a variety of ways. Heard is among the best two-guards in the country, coming back home after a year at Montverde. He will waste no time showing his ability early on. Brownfield, like Tyler, was a standout for HF last year. Still seems under the radar, but he’s a legitimate scholarship recruit with his size, finishing, and passing.
Joliet West
Justus McNair (Sr.) | Zion Gross (Jr.) | Aamir Shannon (So.)
Valparaiso commit McNair will the man this year after playing well with the Fears brothers last year. Gross and Shannon both transferred in to take on some of the scoring loads that were left with the departures from last season.
Kankakee
Larenz Walters (Sr.) | Lincoln Williams (So.) | Damontae May (Sr.) | Kenaz Jackson (So.)
Walters is a threat to score 20 points on any night. Williams is most likely to take the largest leap, looking every bit like a Division 1 prospect over the summer. May and Jackson give them on-ball defense and additional playmaking.
Kenwood
Aleks Alston (Jr.) | Chris Riddle (Sr.) | Rajan Robers (So.) | EJ Duling (Sr.) | Devin Cleveland (Fr.)
Alston and Riddle (DePaul) will kind of flex in their position based on the lineup that is out there. But both are true perimeter players who affect the game in different ways. Alston as a jumbo-sized shooter and ball-handler and Riddle as a powerful attacker. Roberts, a Proviso West transfer, was arguably the top freshman on varsity last season from a production standpoint. He brings a different gear and layer to this year’s team. Duling is a dog on the defensive end and won’t need touches to make his impact. Cleveland is going to grow exponentially throughout the year.
Lake Park
Cam Cerese (Sr.) | Dennasio LaGioia (Sr.)
Cerese is one of the five best remaining point guards in the 2024 class. An absolute competitor who touches all parts of the game, he will be an all-state player this year. LaGioia is going to average double figures and have some explosive outputs this season as well.
Lane Tech
Shaheed Solebo (Sr.) | Jackson Labkon (Sr.) |Drew Bartolai (Jr.)
We have Solebo as the top uncommitted shooting guard in the class and he’s going to be a force in the CPL this season. Labkon is the straw that stirs the drink for them. Bartolai is back stronger and more refined to add another threat.
Lincoln-Way East
BJ Powell (So.) | Karson Thomas (So.) | Brendan Sanders (Jr.)
Powell is a proficient perimeter scorer who already has a couple of Division 1 offers after being up as a freshman. Thomas is a powerful combo guard that is one of the higher-upside players in the area. There’s a lot to like about the 6-foot-4 Sanders, who started about half of the games last year.
Lindblom
Je’Shawn Stevenson (Sr.) | Quentin McCoy (Sr.)
Stevenson (Cleveland State) could flirt with 30-points a game this season. He’s that productive and dominant offensively. McCoy is going to be a solid passer and volume rebounder at his size while providing the usual defense and scoring contributions.
Loyola
Miles Boland (Sr.) | Nick Patton (Sr.) | Jimmy Tarjan (Sr.) | Ethan Dabu (Sr.) | Andrew Hollerich (Sr.)
There should be a lot of balance and production across the backcourt. Boland is a 15-5-5 type of kid who is able to defend on the wing. I think Patton, an Ohio transfer, is going to surprise some people with his athleticism and shooting. Tarjan (6-foot-4) looked great this summer with the Ramblers and in AAU handling the ball and scoring as needed. A promising D3/NAIA prospect. Dabu and Hollerich are both active and unselfish guards that will play big roles.
Marist
Adoni Vassiliakis (So.) | Torrence Tate (So.) | Marquis Vance (Jr.)
Vassiliakis and Tate were impressive as freshmen. So much toughness, ball skill, and scoring punch from that duo. Vance is the “elder” of the group following a solid season a year ago.
Metamora
Tyler Mason (Sr.) | Matthew Zobrist (Jr.) | Ashton Grieves (Jr.)
Among the most unselfish groups of talented players that I’ve seen in a while. Mason (Winona State) comes into the season as one of the most productive point guards in the state. He broke out as a junior, but his efficiency, athleticism, and ability to control tempo didn’t get enough recognition a year ago. Zobrist is a bucket getter with great size at 6-foot-5. His pull-up game and feel are right in-line with what you look for in a Division 1 two-guard. Grieves is a sniper from the perimeter who can take pressure off Mason as needed.
Mt. Carmel
Angelo Ciaravino (Sr.) | Cam Thomas (Jr.) | Grant Best (Jr.) | Noah Mister (So.)
Ciaravino leads what could be the most talented backcourt in the state. The 6-foot-6 Northwestern commit has enough force on both ends to take this team downstate. But he won’t have to do it alone. Thomas, back at Carmel after a year at prep school, is incredibly strong and explosive with an edge about him. He will have no issue shutting down the other team’s best guards or putting up big scoring numbers if needed. Best continues to grow and is a gifted outside shooter. Mister just transferred in recently and will bring needed depth and add ball-handling to the PG spot.
Naperville North
Luke Williams (Sr.) | Bryce Welch (Sr.) | Cole Arl (Sr.)
Back together for one last run together, Williams (Purdue football), Welch, and Arl are all mainstays in the Huskies lineup. Williams was conference player of the year and can go head-to-head with just about any guard in the state. Welch gets a lot of offense at the rim and Arl fills the gaps as a shooter and transition player.
Notre Dame College Prep
Brady Sehlhorst (Jr.) | Liam Ingles (Sr.) | Ryder Raya (Jr.)
The 6-foot-7 Sehlhorst will be handling the ball and creating a lot more this season. He had a good sophomore year, but he’s going to have a huge showing as a junior. Ingles keeps good control of the ball and is a low-turnover point guard. Raya, who was an all-conference defensive back, was up last year and is an easy choice to be a second or third option this year.
Neuqua Valley
Luke Kinkade (Sr.) | Colin Gerrity (Sr.) | Whitman Charboneau (Jr.)
Kinkade was excellent over the summer with Breakaway and emerged as a LM/D2 prospect. He is going to be a leader and primary decision maker. Gerrity, a Division 3 target, has some explosiveness and scoring ability that will be amplified this year. There is going to be an opportunity for Charboneau, a knockdown shooter who can pass it, to break out in his first varsity year as well.
New Trier
Logan Feller (Sr.) | Colby Smith (Jr.) | Chris Kirkpatrick (So.) | Danny Houlihan (So.)
Feller (Johns Hopkins) does so many little things well, from orchestrating offense to shooting off the catch to using his length to defend. He’ll be an all-conference player as a senior. Smith and Kirkpatrick are both super-skilled scorers with some grit. Smith was a big piece to their downstate team last year and looks next up to take on a volume role offensively. Kirkpatrick, another Division 1-level talent, is a maestro with the ball who will open some eyes as well. Houlihan (6-foot-3) will be a premium three-point specialist.
Niles North
Reid Olson (Jr.) | Yaris Irby (Jr.) | Kaiden Chatham (Jr.) | Dylan Lam (Jr.)
Olson and Irby are one of the best returning backcourt duos in Illinois after combining for over 30 points a game as sophomores. Olson can shoot it with the best of them, but impressed this fall as a pure point guard and physical driver. Irby is a tireless scorer who is tough to guard one-on-one. His passing ability is also elite at this stage. Chatham returns to bring length and athleticism on the wing and Lam will be a shooting threat.
Normal
Braylon Roman (Sr.) | Niko Newsome (Sr.) | Conner Smith (Jr.)
The new-look Normal team is going to be a problem. Roman is back at the point guard spot around 6-foot-5 where his creativity will be important to making things flow. Newsome was a 20-point scorer at Bloomington before transferring in, likely to lean more on his elite wing defense this year and score as needed. Smith is another transfer who carried a big offensive load a year ago, but can give them some depth to the ball-handling spots.
O’Fallon
Jaeden Rush (Sr.) | Rini Harris (Sr.)
One of the better downstate duos. Rush is a wiry guard who can shoot the three and create off the bounce. Harris is a powerful athlete that looked really good during the live periods using his burst to get to his spots. Both will have a chance to be D2 players.
Oswego East
Jehvion Starwood (Sr.) | Noah Mason (Sr.) | Mason Lockett (So.)
Starwood (Wyoming) is now the main man for Oswego East. They were one of the more impressive teams in June in part because of his ability to make plays. Mason (6-foot-5) is a breakout candidate and promising Division 3 recruit and Lockett (6-foot-3) is a long-armed, versatile combo guard who is quickly improving.
Quincy
Bradley Longcor (Jr.) | Camden Brown (Sr.) | Ralph Wires (Sr.) | Kamren Wires (Jr.) | Dom Clay (Jr.) | Milton Whitfield (So.)
Longer is a star who has been a standout since his freshman year. Division 1 programs will continue to see his value. Brown and Ralph Wires will be the senior leaders, with Brown (6-foot-5) serving multiple roles and Wires being a spark plug at both guard spots. Kam Wires, Clay, and Whitfield should all excel in the up-tempo system that should have no shortage of options.
Rockford Auburn
Rakim Chaney (Sr.) | Amir Danforth (So.) | Mikwan Marshall (So.) | Champ Parker (So.)
Chaney looks like a diamond in the rough in the Rockford area that more coaches need to know about. He can score, defends, and has a projectable build. Danforth averaged double-figures as a freshman and is a bucket-getter who has gotten stronger and quicker since last year. It’s easy to see his Division 1 potential. Parker was also up as a freshman and brings speed and energy. Marshall is an x-factor as a kid with great athleticism and slashing ability, showing well over the summer.
Rockford Christian
Christian Cummings (Jr.) | Elijah Dougherty (Jr.)
Both Cummings and Dougherty could average over 20 points a game for Rockford Christian this year. Cummings is particularly dynamic as a one-on-one creator who is very difficult to slow down once he gets going.
Romeoville
Mickeis Johnson (So.) | EJ Mosley (Jr.) | DJ Porter (Jr.) | TJ Lee (Sr.)
Some pieces came and went. Johnson could be a force as the year goes on with his build, explosiveness, and improving skillset. Mosley was an All-CCL player at St. Laurence and is a dangerous scorer. Porter came in from Fenwick where he showed a lot of two-way ability. Lee is back for Romeoville and will be a JUCO/D3 prospect.
Schaumburg
Jordan Tunis (Jr.) | Javonte McCoy (Jr.)
The Schaumburg duo should have a good shot of being all-conference players in their own rights. Tunis is such a good dribble penetrator who has continued to progress as a decision maker and outside shooter. McCoy was relentless as a sophomore and just has that want-to mentality that you like to see.
Simeon
DeKwon Brown (Sr.) | RJ McKinnie (Sr.) | Lorenzo Shields (Jr.) | Andre Tyler (So.) | Jashon Liggett (Sr.)
McKinnie is the only returner who saw significant time for the 3A runner-ups. After standing out defensively as a junior, he will have a much larger offensive scoring load. Brown transferred in from Peoria and became a low-to-mid major favorite after showing his ball screen ability and scoring punch over the summer. Shields and Tyler are both gifted guards that have length and a nose for making plays. Liggett will be another on-ball defender.
St. Ignatius
Phoenix Gill (Jr.) | Reggie Ray (Sr.) | Sam Horenkamp (Sr.) | Philip Erikson (Sr.)
Gill will be an all-state player this year and among the more impactful two-way guards around. Power 5 programs are going to love his progress. Ray is back from injury after having a nice junior year when he was out there. All-CCL type of player for them. Horenkamp gets things situated and Erikson will be a knockdown shooting threat.
St. Patrick
AJ Thomas (Sr.) | EJ Breland (Jr.) | Nathan Nano (Jr.) | Harper Krolak (Jr.)
A lot of returning pieces to lean on. Thomas has the toughness and leadership to set the tone for this group. Breland was an ESCC all-conference selection and is likely to repeat this year. Shifty point guard Nano and Krolak, a floor spacer who stepped up as a sophomore, will add to the backcourt group.
St. Viator
Joey Hernandez (Jr.) | Dayvion Ellis (Jr.) | Josiah Calvin (Jr.) | Brandyn Michaels (Jr.) | Dawson Charles (Fr.)
There are a lot of experiences juniors in the group who can guard the ball and score as needed. Hernandez, Ellis, and Michaels are all back to provide stability. Calvin transferred back to Viator where his shot-creation will be of service. It’s early, but Charles looks like one of those freshmen who will be a problem for years to come.
Stevenson
Aidan Bardic (Jr.) | Rocco Pagliocca (So.) | Randy Clay (Sr.) | Donovan Williams (So.) | Armond Burris (Sr.)
Bardic and Pagliocca lead a rock solid group of guards. Bardic (6-foot-3) is a bruising guard who seemingly improves every time I see him. Pagliocca recently picked up his first Division 1 offer and is going to take a huge leap after being up as a freshman. Both are competitive defenders who make other around them better. Clay and Burris have some years under their belt as well and Williams will be a nice addition athletically after practicing with varsity last year.
Thornton
Meyoh Swansey (Sr.) | Chase Abraham (Sr.) | Isaiah Green (Sr.)
Swansey, by way of Romeoville, is a high-scoring guard who is a mid-range expert. The athleticism, defense, and production are too good for him to not be recruited more. Abraham and Green are also transfers who will be immediate impacts.
Warren
Jaxson Davis (Fr.) | Braylon Walker (So.) | Josh Stewart (Sr.) | Jack Wolf (Jr.) | Jacquari Nabb (Sr.)
A nice combination of youth and experience. Davis makes the game easy for others and has that seasoned approach that will make him different. Walker is a quick open court player who was up last year while Stewart and Nabb should give them a defensive boost and solid guard play. Wolf will help keep driving lanes open as a shooter.
Wauconda
Braeden Carlsen (Sr.) | Cayden Mudd (Sr.)
Carlsen (Mercer) is an all-state level guard who will average well over 20 points a game this season in their up-tempo offense. He’s a bucket-getter who can also rebound, defend, and pass when help comes. Mudd, quickly becoming a hot D3/NAIA target, is back for his third-year as an elite long-range shooter and crafty ball-handler.
West Aurora
Terrence Smith (Jr.) | CJ Savage (Sr.) | Jordan Brooks (Sr.)
All signs point to Smith having a dominant year after breaking out as a sophomore. Savage and Brooks will both see more touches this year that they will make the most of, giving West Aurora sound playmaking and timely scoring without having to force things.
Westinghouse
DJ Bolden (Sr.) | Askia Bullie (Sr.)
Bolden will continue to have some low-major D1 programs keeping tabs on him this season. The kid can score in a variety of ways and does so with no off switch. Bullie is a multi-year starter expected to run the show and be a high-assist guy for them.
Wheaton Academy
Wandy Munoz (Sr.) | Tyler Smith (Jr.)
Munoz is a quick-twitch point guard who had a big junior season. The international transfer excels in the open court where his speed and instincts stand out. Smith should be in for a breakout campaign with how well he has looked this fall and summer. Highly competitive and athletic at 6-foot-2, he should be a player to keep an eye on.
Whitney Young
Damajay Richardson (Jr.) | Marquis Clark (So.) | Rykan Woo (So.) | Nasir Rankin (So.)
Richardson is next up to take over the PG reigns at Whitney Young. He’s smart, strong, and just understands how to create quality looks for himself and others. The sophomore class is notably loaded, with Clark, Woo, and Rankin all among the best guards in the class. They each bring something slightly different to the table. Clark is more of a strong-bodied, physical driver with a good pull-up game and some point guard skills. Woo is incredibly skilled and crafty with the ball with deep shooting range. And Rankin is a top-of-the-line athlete that is a force getting downhill and turning defense into offense.
York
AJ LeVine (Sr.) | Kyle Waltz (Sr.) | Brendan Molis (Sr.)
LeVine is a returning star in the West Surburban, looking to lead this group to a deep playoff run. There aren’t many remaining guards in the 2024 class that impact the game on both sides of the floor like LeVine. Waltz (6-foot-6) was a key player last year but is going to have a huge leap in production and notoriety with what he’s going to do as a shooter, finisher, playmaker, and defender. Another player with Division 1 potential. Molis returns to the senior-laden group around 6-foot-4 with some length defensively and timely scoring.
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