Henricksen: Class of 2015 is loaded with stars

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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

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