Glenbrook Norths Ryan Cohen (11) shoots the ball during the game against Taft. Rickey Green, Hirsch, 1973Known for his uncanny speed while dribbling, the 6-foot point guard led Hirsch to the 1973 state title, the city's first in 10 years. TOP 50 HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF ALL TIME. In its118-year history, Illinois high school basketball has produced a remarkable bounty of talent. "He is almost 6-11 with the skills of a guard," Lincoln Athletic Director Darrell Hanslow said. Glenbrook North 2. He ended the low-scoring 2006 final with a floater with 2 seconds left in overtime to beat Peoria Richwoods 31-29 that gave Simeon its second state title. Paul & Phil Judson, Hebron, 1952The twins starred in Illinois' version of Hoosiers, leading tiny Hebron to the single-class state title with a 64-59 overtime win against Quincy. One shot, hopefully the last shot. Top boys basketball players: Peoria area | Springfield area | Rockford area, 7. Bogie Redmon, Collinsville, 1961Scored 31 points in the championship win against Thornton, finishing the tournament with 92 points in 4 games for the undefeated team. LaPhonso Ellis, East St. Louis Lincoln, 1988The star of the first two of East St. Louis' three consecutive state titles, Ellis was a McDonald's All-American in 1988. Doug Collins, Benton, 1969Collins averaged 29.1 points per game as a senior for Benton, which had powerhouse teams in the mid-1960s and early 1970s under future Southern Illinois coach Rich Herrin, but was unable to put a great team around Collins, leading to his nickname as "The Lone Ranger.". The three-time All-Stater also helped King win state in 1990 as a freshman. Who are the best Illinois high school girls basketball players from the class of 2023? Hersey Hawkins, Westinghouse, 1984Underrated in high school because he had to play center for the Warriors, but he still averaged more than 20 points per game and was an All-Stater. "Serg is a self-made player.". 2022 Top Basketball Recruits in Illinois. Rank Player Pos Ht / Wt Rating Team. 7. The high-scoring forward helped put Westinghouse on the map, leading the Warriors to their first city final in 1977 and their first city championship the next year. He was the consensus national player of the year and a McDonald's All-American in 1978 and is in the discussion for the city's best all-time player. . With the season starting in Illinois this week, here is a list of 50 local players you need to watch play during some point this season. On a team that started five guards, Williams led the Rams in points (23 points a game), rebounds (8), assists (6) and steals (4) and was named Mr. Basketball. Grayslake Central 6. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Teddy Grubbs, King, 1979All-city player was one of King's first superstars and one of three jewels of the Class of 1979 with Isiah Thomas and Terry Cummings. Ed Horton, Springfield Lanphier, 1985Led the Lions to the state title as a sophomore in 1983 and second place in 1985 after a double-overtime loss to Mount Carmel. Sergio McClain, Peoria Manual, 1997The only player to start for four state champions, the first under legendary coach Dick Van Scyoc and the last three for his father, Wayne. Class 4A. Burbank St Laurence took on Chicago Johnson College Prep on Feb. 22 at Burbank St Laurence High School. As a senior, he averaged 30.2 points and 11 rebounds and was named a McDonald's All-American. Hyde Park: 19-5: 35: 8: 9. Chicago Simeon finally found a way to top Burbank St. Laurence 50-42 in an Illinois boys basketball matchup. Johnny Orr, Taylorville , 1944The star forward for Taylorville's legendary 1944 squad, the first undefeated state champions with an astounding 45-0 record. He led the Spartans to their first sectional title in 1992, when he was named Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's All-American. (Chicago, IL), Lake Forest Bloomington Central Catholic 2. Glen Grunwald, East Leyden, 1976Leyden lists Grunwald as the only player in Illinois to be named an All-Stater four times. Lew Alcindor, Power Memorial (New York), 1965. Jon Scheyer, Glenbrook North, 2006The sharpshooting guard finished with the seventh-most steals, sixth-most assists and fourth-most points (3,034) in state history. He led the Chargers to second place in 1978, a run that featured a memorable 63-60 quarterfinal win against Westinghouse when Thomas scored 26 points and Mark Aguirre had 28 for the Warriors. Port Byron Riverdale 1. As the WIAA boys basketball season begins in earnest, here are the 50 top players to watch this year in the Milwaukee area, listed in alphabetical order. Darrion Baker Hillcrest (Country Club Hills, IL) . Sources: Chicago Tribune, IHSA, Encyclopedia of Chicago, Illinois Basketball Coaches Association, "Sweet Charlie, Dike, Cazzie, and Bobby Joe: High School Basketball in Illinois," by Taylor Bell, 2004. MP Stats for iPad Stat keeping for basketball teams. She led the Friars to a classic downstate showdown vs. Candace Parker and Naperville Central, losing 63-59 in OT. Kaneland 3. The Pirates went 99-13 in his four years under Glenn Whittenberg but never won a sectional. Tyler Ulis, Marian Catholic, 2014The two-time All-Stater and McDonald's All-American is the Spartans' all-time leader in points (2,335), assists (578) and steals (283). Here are the City/Suburban Hoops Report's current top 10 prospects in the class. MountCarmel (Ill.) 1. OFallon 3. 50: 7: 8. Scales Mound 9. 2024 Highschool Pos Rankings State Rankings. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. Michael Finley, Proviso East, 1991Led the Pirates to the state title in 1991, going 32-1 with the help of fellow Three Amigos Sherrell Ford and Donnie Boyce. Daryl Thomas, St. Joseph, 1983The McDonald's All-American and All-Stater led the Chargers to the Elite Eight in 1983. He was the Gatorade national player of the year in 2012 and the Morgan Wootten player of the year in 2013. Pinckneyville 3. Archie Dees, Mount Carmel (Ill.) 1954Dees was one of the nation's best players and was named MVP of the 1954 Parade All-American game. Tammy Van Oppen, Bartonville Limestone 1992. Let the debating begin. The 247Sports Composite is a proprietary algorithm that compiles rankings and ratings listed in the public domain by the major media recruiting services, creating the industry's most comprehensive and unbiased prospect and team rankingsMore Info, Powered by innovative technology products, 247Sports employs a staff of more than 50 full time recruiting reporters and evaluators that rank and compile data on the nation's elite high school recruitsMore Info. He was picked fourth in the 2004 draft out of high school. Monmouth United 1. Jalen Brunson, Stevenson, 2015Driving force behind Stevenson's three straight trips to the state finals in Peoria and the first state championship won by a team from Lake County, Brunson, also an All-American and Mr. Basketball, averaged 21.1 points in his four-year varsity career. Eddy Curry, Thornwood, 2001The gentle giant's team is remembered for being on the losing end of one of the biggest upsets in state championship history. Voise Winters, Gage Park, 1981His 1981 season was one of the best ever, with 1,048 points and a state-record 47.6 points per game. Andy Kaufmann, Jacksonville 1988Kaufmann was nearly impossible to guard, with range that extended nearly to halfcourt combined with a physical post-up game. 8. Kankakee 4. Here is a look at the 10 best Illinois High School Athletic Association (IHSA) boys basketball players in the Class of 2023. Here are the boys prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record, total points and previous ranking. The four-year starter was Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's All-American in 1985 and finished with 2,004 points. For subscribers:These are District 10's top 20 Female Breakout Players from the 2022-23 basketball season Marsteller, a 5-foot 6-inch junior guard, is averaging 12.9 points per game, which leads a . 1. . Roger McClendon, Champaign Centennial 1984. Chicagi North Lawndale 1. 153: Previewing the sectionals and looking back at the regionals, Regional rewind: Upsets, Catholic League dominance, West Suburban Silver success, Lightfoot is out, Vallas and Johnson are in the April runoff, No major damage reported as tornadoes briefly touch down in Joliet, Naperville, Progressive leaders can blame themselves if Garcia or Johnson fail to make mayoral runoff, Blackhawks trade Patrick Kane to Rangers in era-ending move, Oscar predictions: Signs point to Everything turning to gold, Blackhawks, shaken by trades, fall flat against Coyotes, 11th Ward Ald. 247Sports Recruiting. Polls : Contact Us : Links : Other Links > Basketball > Top Ranked Basketball Players by High School . (Chicago Tribune). Flick Fact: Who actually owns State Farm? 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The 247Sports Composite is a proprietary algorithm that compiles rankings and ratings listed in the public domain by the major media recruiting services, creating the industry's most comprehensive and unbiased prospect and team rankingsMore Info, Powered by innovative technology products, 247Sports employs a staff of more than 50 full time recruiting reporters and evaluators that rank and compile data on the nation's elite high school recruitsMore Info. High school sports; Illinois High School Girls Basketball Top 10 Poll. 21: In 12 state-tournament games, he totaled 157 points, 79 rebounds and 39 blocked shots. He put on a dazzling performance at the 2004 Class AA state finals in leading H-F to second place behind Peoria Central. They finished second the next year, but Liberty did his best in the championship loss to East St. Louis, going for 41 points and 15 rebounds. Chenoa man sentenced to 6 years for attempted child porn, Rivian employee alleges racial discrimination in federal lawsuit, Bloomington man charged for strangling domestic battery victim, Cornerstone Christian making name for itself after capturing school's first regional title, Ty Blake's fast start propels No. With the IHSA's tournaments under way, we undertook the daunting possibly maddening task of naming the 100 greatest players ever. As a junior he made the winning layup with 3.2 seconds left in the final against Thornwood, and he had 20 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks in the 2004 title game against Homewood-Flossmoor. Updated: November 04, 2022 . Wheaton Warrenville South 10. Nearly a million users nationwide share team scores and player performance stats with this convenient free app. Richwoods: 17-3: 22: NR: 10. He later served as general manager for the Knicks and Raptors. Mitchell "J.J." Anderson, Metro 1978The 6-6 forward's scoring average of 43.5 points per game as a senior ranks second in state history. Here's a look at 50 of the top players around the . He scored 2,335 points for teams that went 94-9, including undefeated regular seasons in 1975 and. They were chosen only for their high school performances and the impact they had on the game; their careers in college or the pros were not considered. The next season he averaged 27 and 11 for the 24-5 Bulldogs. Sioux City Heelan 63, Cedar Rapids . WNBA standouts Candace Parker, Tamika Catchings and Yolanda Griffith once took the hardwood at the high school level in the state . But by the following summer, the versatile 6-foot-10 forward had become a consensus top-five national performer, and an All-American with a full ride to Kentucky. Effingham St. Anthony 8. He scored 245 points in 10 state tournament games, including 43 in a 56-54 win against Providence-St. Mel in the 1983 quarterfinals, when he scored all 23 of his team's second-half points. "Doc" was a three-time All-Stater and was the consensus national player of the year and a McDonald's All-American in 1980. God bless those khakis! He was named the inaugural Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's All-American in 1981. Michael Whitlow. Kiwane Garris, Westinghouse, 1993Led the Warriors to three straight appearances in the city final, defeating mighty King in the city final in 1992, before finishing third at state. Frank Williams, Peoria Manual, 1998The 6-foot-4 All-American point guard carried the Rams on his skinny shoulders as a senior. Top boys basketball teams: Peoria area | Springfield area | Rockford area, 4. Shaun Livingston, Peoria, 2004Livingston possessed magical court vision as a 6-foot-7 point guard and led the Lions to two state titles. James Brown St. Rita (Chicago, IL) C . Mike Robinson, Peoria Richwoods, 1996Three-time all-stater is Peoria's all-time scoring leader with 2,944 points. Where do the nation basketball recruits rank? BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (BVM) - The state of Illinois has produced some high-quality girls basketball players over the years. Rockford Auburn 1. Brian Cook, Lincoln, 1999Cook averaged 22 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.4 blocks as a senior, when he was named Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's All-American. Phil, a forward, added 46. George Wilson, Marshall, 1960The two-time All-State center was the star for the first two teams from Chicago to win state titles, in 1958 and 1960, The 6-foot-8 center finished with 2,285 points for the Commandos. "He had all the tools to be one of the better players," said South Shore coach Don Pittman. Nicole Lee heads toward runoff, No moral victory awaits Bulls if they make play-in tournament, Former prosecutor Bill Conway wins aldermanic race in newly drawn Fulton Market, West Loop ward. 11 teams advanced to sectionals and are dreaming of state, No Shot Clock, Ep. Before that he helped Manual win titles in 1996 and 1997, scoring 53 points in four games as a sophomore and 57 in four as a junior. The Chicago area's top 50 high school basketball players Pocket St. Patrick's Timaris Brown (30) shoots the ball Notre Dame's Sonny Williams (12). Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights) 4. 1 player in America when he was murdered in 1984 following an accidental run-in near the school eight months after helping Simeon win its first city and state championships. Gilman Iroquois West 10. Visit Our Patreon Page to Create Your Own All-Time Fantasy Teams and See Other Bonus Material . Quentin Richardson, Young, 1998The McDonald's All-American led the Dolphins to the 1998 state title. Max Hooper, Mount Vernon, 1950The center was the first to lead the state tournament in scoring twice as he led Mount Vernon to back-to-back titles in 1949 and 1950, concluding with 36 points in the 1950 title game. The Hawks barely avoided being shut out in a 4-1 defeat Tuesday. Last season, Chicago Simeon and Burbank St Laurence faced off on Feb. 25, 2022 at Burbank St Laurence High School. Jack Sikma, St. Anne, 1973The future NBA All-Star led St. Anne to fourth place in 1973. Quincy finished second in 1979, won it all at 33-0 in 1981 and finished third at 32-1 in 1982 when its 64-game win streak was snapped in the state semifinals by Mendel. Cameron Christie, Rolling Meadows, 6-4, Jr. Jeremiah Jones, Marian Catholic, 6-2, Sr. Ben VanderWal, Timothy Christian, 6-7, Sr. Ethan Marlowe, St. Charles North, 6-8, Sr. Nick Martinelli, Glenbrook South, 6-8, Sr. Christian Meeks, Homewood-Flossmoor, 6-6, Sr. Owen Freeman, Bradley-Bourbonnais, 6-9, Jr. Photo Galleries Explore and purchase photos of your local teams. Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times Guards Darrin Ames, Kenwood, 6-0, Jr. Timaris Brown, St. Patrick, 6-5, Sr. Cameron Christie, Rolling Meadows, 6-4, Jr. Ryan Cohen, Glenbrook North, 6-1, Jr. Playing on a sprained ankle, he hit two free throws with 6 seconds to play to give Proviso a 37-36 victory over Champaign Central. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Thornton finished second in 1995 and 1996 and third in 1997, when he earned McDonald's All-American honors. "There are a lot of guys in the state who come in with more natural talent," said Manual assistant coach Chuck Westendorf. Others receiving votes: Beecher 19. Farina South Central 1. He was Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's All-American in 2000, when some publications named him the national player of the year. 220 32 8. Brandon Hughes, Peoria Manual, 1994The senior star for the first of Manual's four straight titles scored 27 in 61-60 win vs. Carbondale in the final, 26 in the semifinal against Rockford Boylan and 25 against Westinghouse in the quarterfinal. First the top 50. Top 50 Illinois high school basketball players ever Mar 03, 2017 at 12:46 pm Expand Autoplay 1 of 50 The high-scoring forward helped put Westinghouse on the map, leading the Warriors to their. Few remember that Curry scored 32 points on 12 of 14 shooting with 12 rebounds in that 66-54 loss to Schaumburg in 2001. He also was on the roster as a freshman for the 1995 state champs. The Jaguars were in another league that season, winning their three games in Champaign by 28, 31 and 37 points. 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