City/Suburban Hoops Report 2018-19 All-State Team

As Editor/Publisher of the City/Suburban Hoops Report, a longtime recruiting service for college basketball programs across the country and a high school basketball publication that began publishing in 1996, there has been a 10-player all-state first-team and a 10-player all-state second team for 23 years. In addition, the City/Suburban Hoops Report has awarded a Player of the Year in each of those 23 seasons. Here is the 24th edition.

City/Suburban Hoops Report 2018-2019 All-State Team First Team

■ Rashaun Agee, 6-7, Sr., Bogan

The best big man in the city, Agee was a double-double machine as he averaged 19.3 points and 13 rebounds a game. Tough and hard-nosed, Agee runs the floor and plays with a high motor. Led the Bengals to its first-ever trip to the state finals, where Bogan lost to East St. Louis in the state title game, and a Proviso West Holiday Tournament title. Remains one of the top uncommitted prospects remaining in Illinois.

■ Max Christie, 6-6, So., Rolling Meadows

He followed up a monster freshman campaign with an even bigger sophomore season. Christie, the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s top prospect regardless of class in Illinois, has already scored over 1,000 career points. Facing gimmick defenses all season, Christie managed to score 26 points and pull down 10 rebounds a game. He recorded a triple-double and also pumped in a career-high 51 points in a game.

■ RayJ Dennis, 6-2, Sr., Oswego East

While helping the Wolves to a 24-8 title and a sectional title game appearance, the Boise State recruit averaged 23.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.6 steals a game. He also knocked down 80 three-pointers. Dennis scored over 1,600 points in his career and is among the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s top dozen prospects in the Class of 2019.

■ DaJuan Gordon, 6-5, Sr., Curie

The Sun-Times Player of the Year led Curie to a third-place finish in Class 4A, Pontiac Holiday Tournament title and city championship. Headed to Kansas State next season, the unselfish and efficient Gordon averaged 17.8 points a game and eight rebounds a game.

■ Terrence Hargrove, 6-7, Sr., East St. Louis

A difference-maker and top five prospect in the Class of 2019 in Illinois. Hargrove shined in Peoria. He scored 51 points and pulled down 22 rebounds in two wins in leading the Flyers to a Class 3A state championship. The versatile 6-7 forward averaged 17.6 points and 8.8 rebounds a game. Headed to Saint Louis next year.

■ Markese Jacobs, 5-11, Sr., Uplift

An electric athlete in the open court who is impossible to stay in front of with the ball in his hands, Jacobs’ season was cut short due to an injury. But he still played the bulk of the season and averaged 30 points a game. A second-team Hoops Report all-stater a year ago, the point guard is headed to DePaul next year as he recovers from a knee injury.

■ Marquise Kennedy, 6-1, Sr., Brother Rice

Emerged as one of the more dynamic players in the senior class, both his athleticism and numbers he put up this past season. A stat-sheet-stuffing point guard who finished the year averaging 25 points, 6.5 rebounds and four assists a game while adding 57 steals and 41 blocked shots. The Loyola recruit is among the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s top five prospects in the Class of 2019 in Illinois.

■ EJ Liddell, 6-7, Sr., Belleville West

The highly-decorated star is a two-time state champ and a go-to-type who scored over 2,500 career points. The Ohio State-bound forward is the City/Suburban Hoops Report Player of the Year. He was at his best when it mattered most in March, averaging He averaged 20.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 5.2 blocks a game in the final five wins in state tournament play.

■ Adam Miller, 6-4, Jr., Morgan Park

The top-ranked prospect in the junior class and one of the top 25 ranked prospects nationally. Miller is also one of the elite shooters in the state. The 2018-2019 Gatorade Player of the Year in Illinois, Miller put up a whopping 29 points a game.

■ DJ Steward, 6-3, Jr., Young

The smooth scoring guard has been one of the most impactful players in the state since he entered high school and was a Hoops Report second-team all-stater a year ago as a sophomore. A high-major prospect who has been a little overlooked in national rankings, Steward surpassed 1,500 career points after averaging 24.3 points as a junior for the Dolphins.

SECOND TEAM

■ Donovan Clay, 6-7, Sr., Alton

■ Perry Cowan, 6-4, Sr., DePaul Prep

■ Jeremiah Hernandez, 6-4, Sr., St. Viator

■ Lance Jones, 6-1, Sr., Evanston

■ Jack McDonald, 5-11, Sr., Geneva

■ Sincere Parker, 6-3, Jr., Rockford East

■ Antonio Reeves, 6-5, Sr., Simeon

■ Isaiah Rivera, 6-4, Jr., Geneseo

■ Tom Welch, 6-8, Sr., Naperville North

■ Ahron Ulis, 6-1, Jr., Marian Catholic