Bloom’s Dante Maddox, Jr., (21) glides toward the basket for two against Thornton.

Bloom’s Dante Maddox, Jr., (21) glides toward the basket for two against Thornton.

Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

2020 Chicago Sun-Times All-Area basketball team

The top players in the area for the 2019-2020 basketball season.


Amar Augillard, Zion-Benton

Amar Augillard, Zion-Benton

Prep Hoops Illinois

Amar Augillard, Zion-Benton, 6-5, G, Jr.

One of the area’s most deadly scorers. Averaged 25 points while leading the Zee-Bees to a 19-5 regular season. Has deep range on his three-pointer and is also a threat in the post and driving to the basket.


merlin_90345590.jpg

Antione Bloxton, Bogan

Provided

Antione Bloxton, Bogan, 6-1, G, Sr.

All-City first team. One of the state’s top unsigned seniors. Led Bengals to 25-3 regular season, the Proviso West Holiday Tournament championship and a second-place finish in the Red-South/Central, the state’s toughest conference.


Darius Burford, Bolingbrook

Darius Burford, Bolingbrook

Provided

Darius Burford, Bolingbrook, 6-1, G, Sr.

Signed with Elon. Averaged 24.6 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals. Scored more than 1,000 points in his career and topped the 30-point mark in six games this season. Led Raiders to 26-5 regular season and Southwest Suburban Blue title. MVP of the Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament.


Ahamad Bynum, Simeon

Ahamad Bynum, Simeon

Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

Ahamad Bynum, Simeon, 6-2, G, Jr.

DePaul recruit. All-City first team. One of the area’s best shooters. Averaged 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists. Was the most consistent force all season for the city champion Wolverines.


AJ Casey, Tinley Park

AJ Casey, Tinley Park

Provided

AJ Casey, Tinley Park, 6-8, G. So.

One of the most highly-regarded prospects in the country. Moved out to the perimeter after playing in the post his freshman season at Simeon. Averaged 22 points 10.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.3 steals and 3.1 blocks. Led the Titans to a 17-11 regular season.


Max Christie, Rolling Meadows

Max Christie, Rolling Meadows

Provided

Max Christie, Rolling Meadows, 6-6, G, Jr.

Ranked in the top 15 in the country in the Class of 2021. Averaged 26 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and four blocks while shooting 65% from the field and 42% from three-point range. Led Mustangs to their first 20-win season in nearly 30 years.


Kam Craft, Buffalo Grove

Kam Craft, Buffalo Grove

Provided

Kam Craft, Buffalo Grove, 6-5, G, So.

Turned in a dominant sophomore season, averaging 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2 steals. Led Bison to their first division title since 2008 and best record (24-7) since 2007. The fastest in program history to surpass the 1,000-point mark.


Troy D’Amico, Notre Dame

Troy D’Amico, Notre Dame

Provided

Troy D’Amico, Notre Dame, 6-5, G, Jr.

Teamed with fellow juniors Louis Lesmond and Anthony Sayles to turn the Dons into one of the state’s best teams. Averaged 15.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3 assists despite taking just 9.7 shots per game. Shot 40% from three-point range and 54.2% overall.


Beau Frericks, Cary-Grove

Beau Frericks, Cary-Grove

Provided

Beau Frericks, Cary-Grove, 6-1, G, Sr.

Lewis recruit. Averaged 20 points and shot 90% from the free-throw line. Lead Fox Valley conference and McHenry County in three-pointers made and is the all-time leading scorer in Cary-Grove history with more than 1,4000 points. All-Tournament at Palatine, Jacobs and Lake Zurich.


Ramean Hinton, Curie

Ramean Hinton, Curie

Provided

Ramean Hinton, Curie, 6-4, F, Sr.

All-City first team. Averaged 17 points and eight rebounds for Red-South/Central and Pontiac Holiday Tournament champions. Won the prestigious AC Williamson sportsmanship/MVP award at Pontiac. Led Condors to 26-2 regular season and top ranking in the Super 25 for the majority of the season.


Bryce Hopkins, Fenwick

Bryce Hopkins, Fenwick

Provided

Bryce Hopkins, Fenwick, 6-6, F, Jr.

Louisville recruit. Won Catholic League’s Lawless award. Averaged 24 points, 10 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1 block. Shot 60% from the field. Led the Friars to a 24-7 season and second place in the Catholic League Blue.


TY Johnson, DePaul Prep

TY Johnson, DePaul Prep

Provided

TY Johnson, DePaul Prep, 6-2, G, Jr.

All-City second team. One of the season’s breakout players. Averaged 20.1 points, 3.2 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 steals while leading the young Rams to a 24-5 regular season. All-Tournament at Hinsdale Central.


Dante Maddox, Jr., Bloom

Dante Maddox, Jr., Bloom

Provided

Dante Maddox Jr., Bloom, 6-2, G, Sr.

Cal-State Fullerton recruit. Four-year varsity player, averaged 17.5 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals. Shot 48% from three-point range and 54% from the field. Also a tremendous defensive player. Improved his athleticism over the summer and transformed into a dynamic force.


Dominic Martinelli, Glenbrook South

Dominic Martinelli, Glenbrook South

Provided

Dominic Martinelli, Glenbrook South, 6-5, F, Sr.

One of the state’s most dominant players. Approaching the state’s all-time record for free throws made in a season. Averaged 26.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists. Led Titans to 27-4 season and a share of the Central Suburban League South title.


Adam Miller, Morgan Park

Adam Miller, Morgan Park

Provided

Adam Miller, Morgan Park, 6-4, G, Sr.

Illinois recruit. All-City first team. A top 50 player in the national Class of 2020. Selected to Jordan Brand All-Star game.Tremendous four-year varsity career. Averaged 27.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.3 steals. Founded Ace Wolf camp for young players during his high school career.


RJ Ogom, Homewood-Flossmoor

RJ Ogom, Homewood-Flossmoor

Provided

RJ Ogom, Homewood-Flossmoor, 6-5, F, Sr.

College of Charleston recruit. Strong, powerful player that is a load to handle around the basket but also a major threat on the perimeter. Averaged 15 points and 7 rebounds while leading the Vikings to a 23-4 regular season, first place in the Southwest Suburban Blue and Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic championship.


Aquan Smart, Niles North

Aquan Smart, Niles North

Provided

Aquan Smart, Niles North, 6-3, G, Sr.

Maryland recruit. Averaged 23.8 points, 6.4 assists, 3.7 rebounds in breakout senior season where he developed into a high-major college player. Led Vikings to a 25-5 regular season and perfect 10-0 in Central Suburban League North.


DJ Steward, Young

DJ Steward, Young

Annie Costabile/Sun-Times

DJ Steward, Young, 6-3, G, Sr.

Duke recruit. Sun-Times Player of the Year. All-City First Team. Averaged 22.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists. One of the state’s best players for the past four seasons. Broke the state’s four-year drought of McDonald’s All-Americans.


Ahron Ulis, Marian Catholic

Ahron Ulis, Marian Catholic

Provided

Ahron Ulis, Marian Catholic, 6-2, G, Sr.

Iowa recruit. Two-time All-Area selection. East Suburban Catholic Player of the Year and All-Conference selection. Led Spartans to 22-8 season and a share of the conference title. Averaging 18.7 points, 2.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals.


DJ Williams Thornton

DJ Williams, Thornton

Provided

DJ Williams, Thornton, 6-3, F, Sr.

A dynamic leader and game-changing defender. Averaged 12 points, 12 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.5 steals. Stepped up to do whatever was necessary to win for Wildcats coach Tai Streets. Led Thornton to an unexpected 29-1 regular season and Southland conference championship and Big Dipper Holiday Tournament title.

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