2016 Chicago Sun-Times All-Area basketball team

JORDAN BAUM

Senior G, 6-4, Deerfield

University of Chicago recruit, Central Suburban League North Player of the Year. Key member of group that overachieved to a 28-3 season. First three-time conference champion in Warriors’ history. Averaged 15 points, six rebounds, six assists.

BARRET BENSON

Senior C, 6-10, Hinsdale South

Northwestern recruit. One of the state’s dominant big men. Averaged 20 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks, shot 59 percent. Hornets’ all-time leader in scoring, rebounding and blocks. Three-time all-conference player. All-Tournament selection at York Holiday Tournament.

MICAH BRADFORD

Senior G, 6-0, Bradley-Bourbonnais

Valparaiso recruit. Two-time All-Area selection. One of the area’s most consistent scoring threats. Averaged 19 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals. Two-time MVP at Kankakee Holiday Tournament. Boilermakers’ all-time leading scorer with more than 1,400 points.

RAEKWON DRAKE

Sophomore F, 6-5, Orr

One of the area’s truly electric players. Averaged 19 points, seven rebounds. Second team All-City. Led Spartans to 20-4 record and White-West conference title. Scored 23 points and 11 rebounds in sectional final victory.

NOJEL EASTERN

Junior G, 6-5, Evanston

Elite talent, able to take over games for long stretches. Averaged 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Has more than a dozen Division I offers. Two-time Central Suburban League All-Conference player. All-Tournament at prestigious King of Bluegrass in Kentucky.

LORENZO EDWARDS

Senior C, 6-7, Lake Forest

Uncommitted. Strong, tough, athletic big man. Averaged 19 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks. Shot 56 percent and posted double-doubles of points and rebounds in 26 games. Helped Scouts to 28-3record last season and 18-10 this season.

DEVIN GAGE

Senior G, 6-2, Curie

DePaul recruit. First Team All-City. Won prestigious AC Williamson MVP award at Pontiac Holiday Tournament. Averaged 15 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals. Four-year varsity player during most successful stretch in school history.

MARCUS GARRETT

Junior G, 6-0, Hillcrest

Long, active, dynamic player was a dominant force in South suburbs. Averaged 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals. Led team to South Suburban Blue conference title and 23-6 record. Scored 35 in regional win over Thornridge.

JAMES JONES

Senior F, 6-3, Bogan

Buffalo recruit. Athletic, high-flying player that has starred for one of the state’s top teams over the past three seasons. First Team All-City. All-Tournament selection at the Proviso West Holiday Tournament. Averaged 19 points, five rebounds.

CHARLIE MOORE

Senior G, 5-11, Morgan Park

Memphis recruit. Sun-Times Player of the Year. First Team All-City. Proviso West Holiday Tournament MVP. Four year varsity player, advanced to state tournament in Peoria every year of his career so far. Averaged 28 points, seven assists, five steals.

ZACH NORVELL

Senior G, 6-5, Simeon

Gonzaga recruit. First Team All-City. Three-year varsity player for the top-ranked team in the state. Took over as star player this season and averaged 18 points, eight rebounds, four assists. Helped lead Wolverines to Red-South and city title.

JUSTIN PIERCE

Senior F, 6-6, Glenbard West

William & Mary recruit. One of the season’s breakout stars. Averaged 25 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, shot 50 percent to lead Hilltoppers to their first conference championship in 43 years. Schools’ all-time leading scorer with more than 1,400 points.

KENDRIC PRYOR

Senior G, 6-1, Homewood-Flossmoor

Signed with Wisconsin for football. The wide receiver made a quick transition to basketball and became one of the dominant players in the south suburbs averaging 13 points and four rebounds to lead the Vikings to a 22-6 record and the Southwest Suburban Blue title.

NICK RAKOCEVIC

Senior C, 6-11, St. Joseph

The top uncommitted player in the state, averaged 20 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks, three assists and two steals. Was All-Tournament at Proviso West and MVP at the St. Charles East Thanksgiving Tournament. Posted a double-double in every game.

NICK ROBINSON

Senior G, 6-6, Kenwood

Uncommitted. First Team All-City. Four-year starter for the Broncos, helped lead them to 22-4 record, Red-Central championship and first-ever appearance in city title game. Averaged 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists.

JUSTIN SMITH

Junior F, 6-6, Stevenson

One of the state’s most athletic players. He was All-Tournament at Lyons, Hinsdale Central and Wheaton South. North Suburban All-Conference selection, averaged 17 points, eight rebounds, two assists and shot 52 percent.

MIKE SMITH

Senior G, 5-9, Fenwick

Uncommitted. Won Lawless Award given to Catholic League MVP. All-Tournament at Proviso West. Led Friars to 28-2 season, school’s best in more than 20 years. Averaged 19 points, five assists, four rebounds, three steals, shot 43 percent from three-point range.

SAM TAYLOR III

Senior G, 5-11, Thornton

Uncommitted. Standout quarterback for football team made ultra-rare jump from bench player to breakout star. Led Wildcats to Southwest Suburban Blue title, 19-game winning streak. Averaged 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists.

GEORGE WILLBORN

Senior G, 6-3, De La Salle

Uncommitted. Strong combo guard was a dynamic scorer and leader. All-Conference Catholic League selection, MVP at St. Patrick and All-Tournament at York. Second Team All-City Averaged 20 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals.

ANTONIO WILLIAMS

Senior G, 6-0, Proviso East

Uncommitted. Terrific athlete burst onto the scene out of nowhere. Led Pirates to 18-9. All-Conference selection in West Suburban, Second Team All-Tournament at Proviso West. Averaged 24 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals.