Here’s all you would want to know about the best prep players in what is a very solid class as they head into their senior season.
The superstar
Jalen Brunson, Stevenson
A must-see talent and the most dominating force in Illinois prep basketball today. The Villanova-bound point guard already has over 2,000 career points, but his impact goes way beyond statistics as he’s the ultimate winner and competitor.
Biggest chip on his shoulder
Charles Matthews, St. Rita
A hyped name since he entered high school, the multi-talented Matthews has been hit by the injury bug in his career and his national rankings took a tumble. A player who gets it done at both ends of the floor, the 6-6 Matthews is looking to stay healthy and lead a team to new heights while producing at a high level.
Mr. Versatile
D.J. Williams, Simeon
With the 6-7 Williams — or any Simeon player, really, past or present — the scoring numbers will always remain tame. But his impact as a ballhandler, passer, rebounder, defender and, yes, as a versatile scorer, is why he’s so highly regarded.
Best pure scorer
Luwane Pipkins
You want a bucket, little Luwane (over 26 ppg last season) will get you one. He’s a sniper from the perimeter as a knockdown shooter with a mid-range game and beyond 3-point range. Despite his lack of size, Pipkins’ toughness and speed will get him to the basket.
The overlooked star
Roland Griffin, West Aurora
A star player in the class who has been somewhat forgotten. After averaging 16 points and eight rebounds last season, the 6-6 forward sat out most of the summer with an injury, so there wasn’t any AAU buzz or banter to pump up his reputation. His senior year for the Blackhawks will do that.
Best of the uncommitted
Marcus LoVett, Morgan Park
There is a lot of anticipation for a player who has had a whirlwind career, scored a ton of points in three years, dazzles with the ball in his hand and has received enormous hype since moving to Chicago this fall. The LoVett debut is this Saturday.
Best Rebounder
Ed Morrow, Simeon
Active, aggressive and bouncy, the Nebraska recruit is the epitome of a junk-yard dog, which goes a long way on the glass. He rebounds at the both ends, out of his area and in traffic.
Best Shooter
Aaron Jordan, Plainfield East
He’s an unselfish shot-maker, who made nearly 50 percent from beyond the arc as a junior last season. He has the size at 6-5 and release to get his shot off as a space-the-floor perimeter shooter.
Most indispensable senior
Glynn Watson, St. Joseph
You could insert several names right here. But in what is the most important position on the floor, this Nebraska-bound point guard flourishes in his role as playmaker — and St. Joseph needs that badly. He continues to add more and more to his solid, all-around game as a true floor general.
Mr. Double-Double
Evan Boudreaux, Lake Forest
It’s nice when you can pencil a guy in for 20-plus points and 10-plus rebounds on a nightly basis over three years.
City/Suburban Hoops Report’s Top 20 college prospects.
1. Jalen Brunson, 6-2, PG, Stevenson
2. Marcus LoVett, 6-0, PG, Morgan Park
3. D.J. Williams, 6-7, SF, Simeon
4. Charles Matthews, 6-6, SF, St. Rita
5. Aaron Jordan, 6-5, 2G, Plainfield East
6. Edward Morrow, 6-7, PF, Simeon
7. Glynn Watson, 5-11, PG, St. Joseph
8. Luwane Pipkins, 5-9, PG, Bogan
9. Isaiah Moss, 6-5, SF, Simeon
10. Christian Williams, 6-5, SG, Decatur St. Teresa
11. Obediah Church, 6-7, PF, Springfield
12. Admiral Schofield, 6-5, SF, Zion-Benton
13. Tyler Hall, 6-3, SG, Rock Island
14. Roland Griffin, 6-5, SF, West Aurora
15. Jordan Ash, 6-2, SG, St. Joseph
16. Joseph Toye, 6-7, SF, Young
17. Connor Cashaw, 6-3, SG, Stevenson
18. Evan Boudreaux, 6-7, PF, Lake Forest
19. Joshua Stamps, 6-4, SG, Curie
20. Kain Harris, 6-3, SG, St. Rita