We are half way through the season and in the new year. Last week we discussed some seniors to watch. Today, we wanted to highlight some of the juniors, sophomores, and freshmen who have been breakout performers to this point with brief notes on each.
20 Breakout Juniors (2025)
Alex Vincent (6’10 C, OPRF)
- Big man is moving better, finishing possessions inside, and seems to be playing with a mean streak that will help going forward.
Anestis Hadjistamoulou (6’0 PG, Glenbrook South)
- Poised lead guard for GBS has taken on more of a scoring load and doing so efficiently. Tight handle and good lift on his jumper to get separation off the bounce.
Anton Strelnikov (6’8 C, Lake Zurich)
- Has taken another big leap in his production and has been borderline unstoppable at times with his back to the basket. Also has three-point range and excels as a screen outlet.
Antonio Munoz (6’7 SF, Whitney Young)
- Settling in as the top option for the Dolphins. More refined perimeter game is complementing tremendous speed and leaping ability.
Brady Sehlhorst (6’7 SG, NDCP)
- Star-talent with his length, handle, and diverse scoring ability. Consistently scoring 20-points a game as a focal point of defensive gameplans.
Cam Thomas (6’3 PG, Mount Carmel)
- Power guard has fit in incredibly well on a stacked Caravan team. Smart, athletic, and tenacious on both ends with a pull-up game that has produced results.
Docker Tedeschi (6’8 SF, Benton)
- Unique talent has put up multiple triple-doubles with blocks. Face-up forward plays inside and out and has a sweet outside stroke.
Hudson Scroggins (6’7 PF, Lake Forest)
- Rising lefty is playing through contact, finishing around the rim at a high rate, and flashing his perimeter skill as a shooter and ball-handler. Plenty of upside.
Ian Miletic (6’7 SG, Rolling Meadows)
- No-question Division 1 talent has been excellent thus far as a leader. Makes others better, fills it up from the mid post and the 3PT line, handles pressure, and has been a double-digit rebounder.
JT Pettigrew (6’7 PF, Bolingbrook)
- Has shined on the defensive end as a shot blocker who can switch out on the perimeter. Strong rebounder and an aggressive interior finisher who continues to make noise.
Marcos Gonzalez (6’3 SG, Brother Rice)
- A key difference-maker for the impressive Crusaders. Good positional size is aiding his downhill driving ability, but also shows promise as an on-ball defender and playmaker.
Matthew Zobrist (6’5 SG, Metamora)
- A technically-sound two-guard who has some flash to his game. Acting as a reliable perimeter scoring and secondary playmaker for a surging Metamora group.
Moses Wilson (6’5 SG, Waubonsie Valley)
- Huge wingspan and fast-rising athleticism have shown in his first varsity year. High-arching three-point shot is falling and his rim-protection and defensive versatility are noteworthy.
Nick Allen (6’11 C, Bradley Bourbonnais)
- A monster inside who continues to look like the best big in the junior class. Dominating games on the glass while using low post prowess and athleticism in transition. Jumper is coming along nicely.
Payton Edwards (6’4 SG, Bloom)
- Excellent defender and slasher has given Bloom value in multiple areas. Size and explosiveness have caused mismatches so far.
Phoenix Gill (6’3 PG, St. Ignatius)
- Has elevated into the lead dog role this year and found different ways to affect games. Scoring it well in the mid-range game but also shows vision, rebounding, and ability to force turnovers with regularity.
Sam Donald (6’8 SF, Columbia)
- Plays all over the floor and has feathery touch past the three-point line. Producing double-doubles early and often
Trey Taylor (6’5 SF, Moline)
- Taking over a leadership role in his third year with noticeable improvement with his movement and skillset. Plays with such a high motor.
Xavi Granville (6’5 SF, Grayslake Central)
- Gifted open court player has seamlessly stepped up as a focal point. Acrobatic finishing, rebounding, and defensive prowess have all contributed to his fast start.
Zack Sharkey (6’2 SG, Marian Catholic)
- Competitive two-guard has showed up all year as a volume pull-up scorer. Brings energy and activity with a level of fearlessness that you love to see.
20 Breakout Sophomores (2026)
Andre Tyler (6’4 PG, Simeon)
- Evident talent has flashed with his high-flying athleticism and playmaking. Seems ready to take the next step as a college prospect.
Bryce Wegrzyn (6’7 PF, Libertyville)
- Emerging as the top option for the Wildcats, giving plenty of 20 and 10 showings to this point. Athletic four man runs the floor hard, can handle the ball, and is a force inside
Bryson Mossman (6’3 SG, Routt)
- Returning starter has been terrific scoring the ball from multiple levels. Skilled lefty shooter is a tireless offensive weapon who shows grit on the defensive end.
Cameron Mercer (6’2 SG, Riverside Brookfield)
- Doesn’t play like a sophomore. Combination of spot-up shooting and ability to attack closeouts has made him one of RB’s best outside options.
Chris Kirkpatrick (6’2 PG, New Trier)
- Super-skilled lead guard is making things happen off the dribble for himself and his teammates. Reliable shooter hits tough shots on the move and is a tough on-ball defender.
Colin Stack (7’0 C, Benet)
- Blend of shot-blocking, efficient interior scoring, and shooting ability are rare for a player of his size. Gives Benet a huge boost inside and has some of the best long-term upside of bigs in IL.
Gabe Sularski (6’6 SG, Benet)
- May be surpassing external expectations with his shot creation, passing savvy, and composure. No moment seems to big and he doesn’t need to dominate the ball to make winning plays.
Jadin Schilb (6’3 SG, Centennial)
- Slick scoring guard with a nice outside shot looks like he keeps getting taller. On pace to be a leading scorer in his first year at Centennial.
Jayden Riley (5’10 PG, Yorkville Christian)
- Legitimate triple-double threat is among the top PGs in 1A. Sees the floor so well and is playing with more urgency as a scorer, averaging over 20 points a game.
Jayden Wright (6’0 PG, Benet)
- Another unshakeable Benet guard who welcomes pressure. NBA-range shooting ability has been on display along with change-of-pace and scrappy defensive energy.
JC Anderson (6’7 PF, Mt. Zion)
- Big-bodied forward has been the man inside for an undefeated group. Deceptively light on his feet but still powerful with his back to the basket. Spot-up shooting has been great to see.
Jordan Williams (6’5 SF, Fremd)
- Looks like a man amongst boys at times. Physical and agile wing has lead a very good Fremd team as a scorer and rebounder.
Karson Thomas (6’3 SG, Lincoln-Way East)
- Among the better long-term prospects in the area. Promising pull-up game and athleticism have been key for LWE.
Lincoln Williams (6’3 SG, Kankakee)
- Quickly tapping into his potential averaging nearly 20 points on a strong Kankakee team. Elite run-and-jump athlete, but also an opportunistic slasher and defender with a developing perimeter game.
Luke Blackford (6’4 SG, Calvary)
- Strong-bodied two-guard is among the highest scoring sophomores in the state. Knockdown shooter has produced inside as a scorer and volume rebounder. Like his future.
Marquis Clark (6’2 PG, Whitney Young)
- Stepping up as one of the primary playmakers for a young Dolphin group. Sees passes a few plays ahead and has used a stronger frame to get to his spots.
Oliver Gray (6’5 SG, Barrington)
- Top-of-the-line sniper has been a problem for opposing defenders. Too tall for most guards and too skilled and active off the ball for forwards to cover. Looks every bit like a D1 guard.
Panayiotis Sotos (6’2 PG, Maine South)
- Playing more off the ball and has significantly increased his offensive output. Capable shooter with a variety of finishes once he gets in traffic.
Rashaun Porter (6’6 PF, DePaul Prep)
- Now starting for the undefeated Rams. Has been a load inside with his rebounding and touch at his size. There is a lot of faceup game to look forward to over the next few years.
Stephen Brown (6’8 PF, Marist)
- A special talent with his height, speed, vertical, and inside-out game. Providing a defensive presence inside as well for the young Marist core.
Impact Freshmen (2027)
Amari Dukes (6’3 SG, TF South)
- A long and rangy guard with a projectable frame who is a smooth operator with the ball. Solid shooter and knows how to attack closeouts.
Ben Gillmar (6’4 PF, Wheaton North)
- Ideal build and bounce at the forward spot. Finishes with both hands and has provided a spark on the glass thus far.
Brady Welch (5’9 PG, Moline)
- Crafty, shifty lead guard has balanced scoring and playmaking for a junior-heavy Moline team. Can really shoot it when he gets his feet set.
Camron Dunson-Riggs (6’5 SG, Normal)
- Already with a developed frame and plus athleticism, he has shown flashes of being a special long-term prospect on the wing. Dynamic slasher and open court player with some shake off the bounce.
Crayton Schnierle (6’1 SG, Bloomington)
- Knockdown shooter and smart floor spacer who has settled into a scoring role early on. Athletic frame suggests plenty of physical growth potential.
David Barnes (6’4 PF, Mt. Vernon)
- Highly active forward is shooting over 65% from the field and using athleticism to make an impact inside
Davion Thompson (6’2 SG, Bolingbrook)
- Effortless perimeter scorer has precise footwork and understanding of angles. Has shooting range, handle, and the ability to get others shots. Clear Power-5 recruit that has taken the state by storm so far
Dawson Charles (6’3 SG, St. Viator)
- Smooth two-guard has that athleticism that you can’t teach. Just understands how to knife inside and finish in traffic. A lot to like long-term on both ends.
DeMarco King (6’2 PG, King)
- Wiry and deceptive guard has been putting on a clinic for King. Can score it off the bounce, but has impressed with his all-around game as well
Hayden Schroeder (6’5 PF, Wheaton Academy)
- Has had a monster year so far with a couple 30-point, double-digit rebound games. Moves very well at his size, finishes above the rim, and has good perimeter skill. One to watch going forward.
Howard Williams (6’5 SF, Whitney Young)
- Athletic wing with a huge wingspan and seemingly no fear at the varsity level. Already impacting games with his defensive versatility, rebounding, and finishing.
Jaxson Davis (6’0 PG, Warren)
- An elite playmaker with vision, composure, and advanced IQ. Also has shown that he can score on command with the ball and change games with his on-ball defense. Top 100-type of kid.
Jayden Taylor (5’11 PG, Perspectives)
- An up-and-coming floor general who already possesses natural court vision and deep shooting range. Should be a player to track for the next few years.
JJ Howard (5’9 PG, Carbondale)
- Solidly-built guard shoots the ball well from distance and uses change-of-pace well to get to his spots against older players.
Joey Cwik (5’10 PG, Bartlett)
- Emerging as a secondary option for Bartlett with his quickness and tough shot-making at the guard spot.
Max Beard (6’2 SG, Woodstock)
- Tall two-guard is a high-level spot-up shooter who is giving Woodstock significant production off of the ball so far.
Tray Alford (5’9 PG, Yorkville Christian)
- Lefty guard is hitting his stride as a perimeter scorer and passer for a young Mustang team. Had a strong month of December shooting the ball from the perimeter.
Vito Rocca (6’4 SF, Evanston)
- Physical, bruising wing is a stout defender and energy-guy for Evanston. Takes and delivers contact well offensively
Zane Schneider (6’4 SG, Lemont)
- Multi-sport standout is giving Lemont some nice scoring outputs early on. The kind of scrappy and aggressive wing that will hold value for years to come.