This is the 22nd year the City/Suburban Hoops Report has named an all-state team, which has always consisted of one 10-player first-team and one 10-player second-team.
First Team All-State
◆ Ayo Dosunmu, 6-4, Jr., Morgan Park
The top-ranked prospect in the junior class in Illinois, Dosunmu led Morgan Park to Peoria before his injury in the state semifinal game. Dosunmu averaged 22 points a game as Morgan Park won 26 games and a Class 3A state title. The junior will be a favorite for POY next season.
◆ Nojel Eastern, 6-6, Sr., Evanston
Headed to Purdue next season, the multi-faceted Eastern did it all for the Wildkits and closed a brilliant career with a sectional championship and 28 wins as a senior. Eastern was at his best at the end of the season. He put up 29 points and 17 rebounds in a sectional championship win and scored 31 in the super-sectional loss to Young. He filled the stat sheet averaging 18 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals a game.
◆ Evan Gilyard, 5-9, Sr., Simeon
A big state tournament run from the tough, competitive point guard landed Gilyard on the first team. On the season he averaged 16 points and 4 assists per game, including a 32-point performance in a super-sectional win over Edwardsville. He was also the winner of the prestigious A.C. Williamson Award at Pontiac. Headed to UTEP.
◆ Elijah Joiner, 6-2, Sr., Curie
The 6-2 guard signed with Tulsa in the fall and put together an outstanding senior year as the go-to player for a team that won 25 games this year after winning a Class 4A title a year ago. Joiner, who had a monster 40-point performance in a win over rival Kenwood in January, averaged 18 points a game on the season and was named MVP of the prestigious Marshall County Hoopfest.
◆ Cameron Krutwig, 6-9, Sr., Jacobs
The most productive big man in the state. The Loyola recruit averaged a double-double (15.3 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 2.4 assists per game) while also showcasing remarkable passing skills. Led Jacobs to its first sectional championship in school history with a monumental performance in the title game: 20 points, 23 rebounds, 11 blocks and 9 assists. Krutwig finished his career with 1,528 points and 1,258 career rebounds.
◆ Javon Pickett, 6-4, Sr., Belleville West
The Illinois-bound Pickett was as productive as any player in the state. The 6-4 guard averaged 25.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while knocking down 50 three-pointers. He scored 1,384 points in his final two years and finished with a career total of 1,775 points.
◆ Justin Smith, 6-7, Sr., Stevenson
Finishes his career as one of the winningest players in state history as Smith’s teams won 108 games in his four-year Stevenson career. The high-flying Indiana recruit averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds a game and finished his career with 1,522 points.
◆ Mark Smith, 6-4, Sr., Edwardsville
The City/Suburban Hoops Report’s Player of the Year, Smith’s ascent has been rapid. The big, burly point guard put up monster numbers (22 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists a game), led his team to a sectional title and is one of the top uncommitted players in the country.
◆ Alonzo Verge, 6-2, Sr., Thornton
The Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year, and CSNChicago Player of the Year, Verge put up huge numbers while leading the Wildcats to a sectional title game appearance and a 23-6 record. Verge, who led his team to a conference title and was MVP of the Big Dipper in December, had a signature performance in the regional final win over Bloom scoring 42 points. The dynamic guard put up whopping numbers, including 26 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals a game.
◆ Lucas Williamson, 6-4, Sr., Young
What a senior season the 6-4 wing put together. He was MVP of the Proviso West Holiday Tournament and was a steady influence and rock for a Dolphins team that captured a Class 4A state championship. Williamson, who is still uncommitted, averaged 17.6 points a game and scored 36 points in Young’s two wins in Peoria.
Second Team All-State
■ Nana Akenten, Bolingbrook
■ Tim Finke, Champaign Central
■ Talen Horton-Tucker, Simeon
■ Demarius Jacobs, Uplift
■ Teyvion Kirk, Joliet West
■ E.J. Liddell, Belleville West
■ Yaakema Rose, Springfield Lanphier
■ Kyle Sliwa, Fremd
■ Jimmy Sotos, Conant
■ Jeremiah Tilmon, East St. Louis
Honorable Mention All-State: Trevian Bell, Joliet West; Tai Bibbs, West Chicago; Malik Binns, Bolingbrook; Deonte Billups, Moline; Kezo Brown, Simeon; Taylor Bruninga, Illini Bluffs; Tray Buchanan, United Township; Zach Couper, Rockford Boylan; Raekwon Drake, Orr; Dillon Durrett, Wheaton South; Dazon Farris, Bloomington; Javon Freeman, Young; Noah Frederking, Okawville; Marcus Garrett, Hillcrest; Jordan Goodwin, Belleville Althoff; Kendle Moore, Danville; Josh Niego, Brother Rice; Jamal Nixon, Fenwick; Jack Nolan, Benet; Drew Peterson, Libertyville; Mike Shepski, Brother Rice; Kawanise Wilkins, Farragut; Devin Whitelow, Washington