best high school basketball players in illinois

The Philadelphia Warriors selected him in the fifth round, 36th overall, of the 1958 NBA Draft. The highlight of his career was the 196061 campaign when Wessels was honoured as an All-American honourable mention on an Illinois squad that concluded the regular season with a 915 overall record, enough for seventh place in the Big Ten. From 1998 to 2002, the 63 guard played basketball for the University of Illinois. Where Castillo really turned heads for the first time was in international play as he helped lead the Team USA U16 National Team to a gold medal at the FIBA Americas World Championships in 2021. Dawson played on a Duke University freshman team in 1970 that went unbeaten. 1 point guard in the Class of 2024 played as a freshman at Bergen Catholic (N.J.) High and missed his entire sophomore year with a high ankle sprain. He averaged 20.7 points per game and finished his career second in school history with a.609 field goal percentage. Throughout his three varsity seasons at Illinois, he amassed 1449 points while averaging 20.1 points and 10.3 rebounds each game. Adan Diggs Arizona. Illini Starting Five 1946-47 photo by D. Kirk Son of Walton Kirk Jr. Wikimedia commons. You will now be able to customize your experience on our website. His follow-up dunk at the buzzer to beat West Aurora in the semifinals capped off a game in which Alexander had 37 points, 26 rebounds, five blocks and 10 rim-rattling dunks. And while, yes, individual talent obviously matters, a winning pedigree and accomplishments do come into play. He is already committed to playing for new Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang, who has already made inroads with many of the top recruits in the midwest. Avila is a coveted mid-major target. Williams led the Fighting Illini to the NCAA championship game in 2005 as a junior starting point guard, but they fell to the University of North Carolina. While playing for Illinois, McBride led the Fighting Illini to the NCAA Final Four in 2005 and was named to the All-Big 10 honourable mention team. If a team repeated as champion, we tried to pick the better one with the exception of the 1991 and 92 Proviso East teams that won with almost entirely different lineups. With 853 rebounds at Illinois (since surpassed and now in third place), Winters concluded his collegiate career as the schools all-time rebounding leader and third-best scorer. The Top Ranked Basketball Players of All-Time from Illinois High Schools . Coach Ezra Hendrickson, Fire looking to prove doubters wrong, Baseball quiz: Remember what happened after Jackie, Kahleah Copper: Precious mettle for the new-look Sky. WNBA greats from Illinois include Candace Parker, Yolanda Griffith and Tamika Catchings. Huff can be utilized in a wide range of roles. West Des Moines Dowling Catholic trucked Davenport North on the road to a 52-38 victory on Feb. 27 in Iowa girls high school basketball action. Forget about the hype, including the Sports Illustrated cover and being the most media-covered athlete maybe in Illinois prep sports history. Dissette will stay in his home state for his college basketball career he committed to play for North Dakota State following his junior year. Conner did more than held his own against one of the greatest players in college basketball history Bill Walton, who was practically invincible, as he was frustrated by his quickness and jumping abilities en route to scoring 17 points on 8 of 14 field goal attempts. 15 ranked prospect in the Class of 2022. By Joe Henricksen Apr 25, 2022, 6:58am PST Polling Place: Is Patrick Kane the greatest Blackhawk ever? He finished his career as Rock Islands all-time leading scorer (2,159) and rebounder (773). The combo guard has moved back to Illinois after a year away and offers the type of backcourt size college coaches covet. Averaged 19.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1 . High School: Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls, South Dakota). As a senior he led Waukegan to a third-place finish in Class 4A while averaging 20.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and nearly three assists and three blocks. Thorens teams at Illinois won 51 of 74 games and the 1963 championship when he was a player there. The player who displays the most hustle throughout the season is given the Kenny Battle Inspirational Award by the Illini. Georgia March 2, Steve Parham Log in Top247 247Sports Composite. Downey received the Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor in 1963 for his achievements in both academics and athletics. Simeon Vocational Academy is where Anderson played high school basketball before moving on to play for the Fighting Illini team that won the NCAA Final Four in 1989 for three years while attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Post-high school career:In his only season at Duke, Parker was a consensus first-team All-American as a freshman. There certainly wasnt a player who was as electric or more entertaining during the past decade than the dynamic Boatright. Craft committed to Xavier last week. During his senior season Okafor averaged 24.1 points and 11.3 rebounds while compiling a 28-5 record and capturing a Class 4A state championship. The career Liddell put together is pretty remarkable. Specifically, Illinois Class of 2023 will showcase several future Division I and Power 5 college basketball players who will look to further prove themselves in 2022-23. Now there are some fresh faces joining those three top 10 fixtures. 25 all-time for the Illinois Fighting Illini. With his 2,682 career points, Brunson is among the top 20 all-time scorers in state history. Darius Hawkins Illinois. He emerged as a crucial member of the 2001 Elite Eight defence, finishing third in school history in career blocks per game with 1.4. In 2004, Gill was chosen for the Illini Mens Basketball All-Century Team.. While playing for the Fighting Illinis Final Four squad in 12 games as a freshman in 198889, Kaufmann averaged 4.3 points per contest. He uses his body, instincts and change of pace to get to the rim where he can finish so well with either hand. Huff continues to show an array of skill and production at his size that is so enticing with how the game is played today. He scored 2,335 points for teams that went 94-9, including undefeated regular seasons in 1975 and. 1. Before playing for the University of Illinois, George Bon Salle was a star at the Loyola Academy in Chicago, Illinois. Named the Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year as a junior, the 6-11 Okafor was the Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year, MVP of the McDonalds All-American Game and Mr. Basketball in Illinois as a senior. Following his stellar career at UConn, Boatright has played overseas and in the NBAs G League. Freitag had an early offer from Wisconsin before his sophomore year and now holds offers from Baylor, Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, Virginia and Nebraska as well. The high school basketball season is set to tip off, and once again, the state of Illinois features some of the top talent in the country. Star: George Wilson (86 points in last four state games). Tavari Johnson of Lyons Township, who was an unknown in the class just 18 months ago, has also joined Benson as a newcomer to the top 10. Richard Keene gave 459 assists during his career at Illinois and he ranks eighth in its history. Kendall Gill, Stephen Bardo, Kenny Battle, Lowell Hamilton, and Marcus Liberty were all teammates of Andersons who went on to play in the NBA, with only Hamilton missing out on playing in the NBA. The Manual and Simeon four-peat teams got two each. WNBA standouts Candace Parker, Tamika Catchings and Yolanda Griffith once took the hardwood at the high school level in the state. A slight-framed point guard and decisive decision-maker who controls offensive tempo naturally, Johnson has finally made a name for himself among college coaches this past month. Thus, a bust at the next level really isnt relevant (Jereme Richmond), nor is a late bloomer with a modest high school career who went on to become a star at the next level (Frank Kaminsky). Post-high school career:No player has made a bigger splash out of Illinois. 1. March 2, 3A Sectional Finals Preview and Storylines, Scott Burgess Polling Place: Is Patrick Kane the greatest Blackhawk ever? The Zeller brothers and Plumlee's were all raised in Indiana. It is universally recognizable that Illinois produces top-notch athletes, including some of the best basketball players in the nation. 9. Jamaal McKnight Jr Maryland. He did not achieve much success in the NBA after being picked 19th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 1987 NBA draft. The understated Randle has one heck of a career rsum, including a Class 3A state championship as a senior and sharing the states Mr. Basketball Award that same year with another all-decade performer, Ryan Boatright. Chasson Randle of Rock Island moves quickly down the court, defended by Terrance Walker of Brooks. Log in Here are the 50 best Illinois basketball players of all time. Johnson studied history from 1977 to 1981 at the University of Illinois. The 2000-01 team advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA mens basketball tournament, with each team earning a spot in the competition. With sound form and mechanics, range and a pure release, Schutt has elite shooting ability that easily translates to the next level. Garris was the Fighting Illinis second-highest scorer as a freshman in 199394, trailing only Deon Thomas. Also won state in 1960 behind George Wilson (back row, fouth from left) and suffered playoff defeats by one and two points in 1959 and 1961. Times changed, the game was integrated, players grew taller and more wildly athletic. Oak Forests Robbie Avila (21) maintains possession of the ball during the game against DePaul Prep at the Riverside Brookfield Summer Shootout. BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (BVM) The state of Illinois has produced some high-quality girls basketball players over the years. LeBron James LeBron James photo by All-Pro Reels - Wikimedia commons At St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, LeBron James had an outstanding high school basketball career. He was named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team and received an honourable mention for the Big Ten. As a senior he averaged 20.2 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting 63 percent from the field. High School: St. Mary's Prep (Orchard Lake, Michigan). He managed 237 three-pointers which was a school record at the University at the time of his graduation. His leadership helped the Illini win the Big Ten mens basketball tournament, and in 200203, he was awarded the games best player. With 2,129 points scored throughout his career and an average of 18.0 points per game, Thomas completed his playing days as the Fighting Illinis all-time top scorer. 64 greatest Illinois high school basketball teams ever Mar 07, 2018 at 8:30 am Expand Autoplay 1 of 64 Chicago's first state champions. In five seasons hes averaged 15.1 points. Wessels continued to play centre as a junior in the 195960 campaign for a group that placed third in the conference with a 167 overall record. He still maintains the Illini career steals (324) and assists (765) records. 12. He still maintains the Illini career steals (324) and assists (765) records. With the win, Illinois improved to 15-0 and was ranked second nationally, but Michigan went on to win the eventual national championship. Here's a look at our top Chicago high school basketball stars to ever grace the hardwood. There were some individual magical moments throughout Brunsons career, highlighted by the record-setting 56 points he scored in the state semifinals loss to Young as a junior. Williams and his colleagues made it to the Elite 8 in 2001 while still attending Illinois. The Illinois High School Association was . In recent years, Indiana has also produced some of the most talented siblings in college basketball that went on play in the NBA. High School: Centerville High School (Centerville, Ohio). DePaul womens basketball star. Here are 20 players who have had a national MVP-worthy season thus far. Booker had a breakout season as a junior in 2021-22 averaging 12.5 points and 6.7 rebounds as he helped lead a stacked Cathedral squad to a Class 4A state championship. Here is a look at the 10 best Illinois High School Athletic Association (IHSA) boys basketball players in the Class of 2023. IL High School Basketball Scores Today 23 Games Tomorrow 3 Games Marian Catholic26-7 Lemont27-6 Today 7:00pm Geneva24-9 Wheaton-Warrenville South27-5 Today 7:00pm C Calvary26-7 Madison17-12 Today 7:00pm Saint Ignatius College Prep21-11 Westinghouse19-10 Today 7:00pm Sacred Heart-Griffin29-3 Normal West19-14 Today 7:00pm Last update: 2/26/2023, Minimum Games Played . Post-high school career:He played just one season at Kansas, playing just 17 minutes a game and averaging 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds while also being suspended due to eligibility issues. Bradfords most notable claim to fame was his 88-game streak, which set an NCAA record for the most consecutive games with a three-point field goal, before it was surpassed on February 13, 2001. And being a good shooter these days is about the quickest path for a young player to get on the floor in college. Zion (6-0, Jr., G/F) 24; Evyn Carrier, Sycamore (6-4, Sr., C) 24; Mya Wardle, Peoria Notre Dame (5-7, Jr., PG) 24; Shannon Blacher, Lombard Montini (5-11, Sr., G) 23; Norah Gum, Waterloo (6-0, Sr., F) 15; Kiarra Kilgore, Galesburg (5-9, Jr., G) 14; Jerzy Bittle, Marion (5-9, Sr., G) 12; Kaylen Reed, Rochester (5-6, Sr., PG) 9; Olivia Austin, LaGrange Nazareth (6-1, Jr., F) 8; LaKeeyah Barnes, Chicago Morgan Park (5-4, Jr., G) 8; Lexi Carlsen, Sycamore (5-8, Jr., G) 8; Lily Esparza, Rockford Boylan (6-2, Jr., C) 8; Justice Malone, Mount Vernon (5-8, Sr., G/F) 8; Grace Wilke, Highland (5-8, Sr., G) 8; Danielle Beach, Geneseo (5-10, Sr., PG/SG) 6; Jazmyne Bynum, Chicago Hyde Park (5-5, Jr., G) 6; Page Erickson, Burlington Central (5-9, Sr., G) 6; Rachel Kaus, Lake Forest (6-0, Sr., F) 6; Nikki Kerstein, Deerfield (5-7, Soph., PG/SG) 6;Victoria Matulevicius, Lombard Montini (5-8, Jr., G) 6; Kayla Rice, Rock Island (5-6, Sr., G) 6; Savannah Orgeron, Mahomet-Seymour (5-10, Sr., G/F) 6; Annie Wirth, Geneseo (6-0, Sr., F) 6. Playoff results: W 70-64 vs. Rock Falls (state final), W 74-62 vs. West Aurora (state semifinal), W 72-59 vs. Herrin (state quarterfinal), W 63-43 vs. Elgin (supersectional), W 68-59 (OT) vs. Dunbar (city final). He is likely most known among Fighting Illini supporters for his game-winning shot against Michigan State University. Brunson also scored 57 points in a big double overtime win over Lake Forest and 48 points in a matchup with Chaminade and Jayson Tatum in the Cancer Research Classic in West Virginia. One year after graduating from high school, Davis went No. Post-high school career:Liddell is currently a freshman at Ohio State. The Illini finished with an 18-6 record during Thorens senior year, placing third in the Big Ten with a 10-4 record. Jordan Fisher Canada. James Griffin was able to dominate while playing for the University of Illinois thanks to his physical attributes. A very short NBA career consisted of a total of 10 points in eight games for the Portland Trail Blazers. McKenney was named a MaxPreps Freshman All-American in 2022 after he averaged 16.5 points and 6.3 rebounds for St. Mary's and started every game for his school on the way to a 20-5 record. Gill was nominated to the first-team All-American (UPI) and led the Big Ten in scoring as a senior. . Biliew, a five-star prospect Top 10 recruit for the Class of 2023, has a pro-ready body at 6-foot-8 and 210 pounds and picked Iowa State over Kansas, Oregon and the G-League Ignite. Scottish basketball player Robert Archibald played power forward and centre for the University of Illinois from 1998 to 2002. 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He played for the Illini, who finished second in the country and tied an NCAA record with 37 victories. Post-high school career:As a unanimous first-team All-American at Duke as a freshman, Okafor led the Blue Devils to the 2015 national championship. While Youngs AJ Casey remains the top long-term prospect in the class, the distance between No. A ranking of the 2001 Best NFL Basketball Players in Illinois. Facts, Famous people, Sports, United States, The 201112 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team photo by MrMcPhoto - Wikimedia commons, 2011 12 Illinois Fighting Illini mens basketball team photo by MrMcPhoto Wikimedia commons. Supporting cast: Bobby Jones (64), Steve Thomas (64), M.C. . Castillo averaged 24.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists as a junior for Bartlesville, as his team went 9-9. During his college career, he started 134 of them, which is the second-highest number of games started in school history. As a bonus, Okafor was huge in Youngs biggest games: 35 points and 13 rebounds in a sectional final win over St. Rita; 33 points and 14 rebounds in a state semifinal win over Stevenson; 22 points and 23 rebounds against Providence (Fla.) in the City of Palms Classic; and he averaged 31 points and 12.5 rebounds in the loaded Les Schwab Invitational in Oregon. Darrion Baker Hillcrest (Country Club Hills, IL) He served as the team captain for Illinois Flyin Illini squad in 1989. 1 ranked prospect in the country in the Class of 2014 and the City/Suburban Hoops Reports top-ranked prospect in Illinois, ahead of Curies Cliff Alexander, who was top five nationally. These qualities have allowed them to dominate their rivals and earn many honours along the way to success. Boxscore Men's Basketball vs Indiana January 19, 2023 7:30 pm CT. Jan 24. mbball. He was also a monster when it mattered most, putting up big numbers in Belleville Wests biggest games. A spark-plug scorer and safe bet to be a productive offensive player at the next level due to his shot-making ability from all areas of the court. . With the nations original March Madness (that would be the Illinois high school basketball tournament) upon us for the 111th time, we came up with an all-time bracket featuring the best champions in state history. As a junior he was named AP College Basketball Player of the Year, Naismith College Player of the Year and won the Wooden Award. Smith scored 1,635 points and had 161 steals throughout his college career. A ranking of the 2022 Best NFL Football Players in Illinois. When he graduated, he ranked third in school history for games played with 138 and was second all-time at Illinois in terms of rebounding (909), scoring (1,279 points) at number 22, and games played 138 which put him at third. That was a fairly lofty status for a relative unknown player from the southern part of the state. Brunson also made an impact internationally. Elijah Fisher. In 2004, Downey was named to the Illini Mens Basketball All-Century Team. Momcilovic, 6-foot-8, averaged 18.1 points and 7.7 rebounds in 2021-22 and picked the Cyclones over offers from Minnesota, UCLA, Creighton and Virginia, among others. He also plays with a competitive edge and confidence. Career highlights: 3x NBA all-star, 2x NBA champion Aguirre was voted both the AP and Naismith Player of the Year his final season at DePaul (1979-80) and was the first overall selection in the 1980 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. Erick Dampier Jr Mississippi. Bill Self sought out Williams to join the University of Illinois basketball team for the NCAA 20022003 season. He was named to the third team of the 200809 Big Ten Conference by both the coaches and the media as a sophomore after leading the team in scoring average during that season. Chicagos first state champions. But his pure talent puts him on the second team. Bottom Line: Bartlesville's David Castillo was just one of three sophomores to make The Tulsa World's 2022 All-State team and might be one of the best guards in the country for the Class of 2024. There was a stretch during the first half of the decade where the state was churning out generational talent, many who left their mark on the sport forever. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.

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