Names to Know: Under the Radar Players Heading into Season
We continue to get closer to the high school season in the state of Illinois kicking off on November 19. Today we look at 30 players heading into the season that you might not have heard of now, but definitely need to be aware of heading into the high school season!
Ryan Sroka (Huntley – 2020)
Sroka is a shooting guard out of Huntley that is primed to put his name on the map with a quality high school campaign. Sound perimeter shooter and always seems to be around the basketball.
Andrew Veon (Riverside Brookfield – 2019)
Veon is a priority small college prospect with his versatility, strength, and toughness. Like how he rebounds the ball in traffic and he can handle it from the high-post in. Combination of skill and grit!
Adam Taylor (Providence Catholic – 2019)
Taylor is a senior shooting guard that has size at 6’4”. Showed in high school, travel team, and camp settings that he is a flat out sniper from deep. Decent athleticism as well.
Julian Barr (Lincoln Way East – 2019)
Barr is going to breakout in a major way this season! Elite shooter that broke out with Team RWA on the travel team circuit. We think that he will be one of the top three point shooters in the Chicago land area this year.
Cody Mitchell (St. Charles East – 2019)
Mitchell is a combo forward that will be a key piece for St. Charles East this year. Liked the versatility he showed with Chicago Lockdown on the circuit and that will be important for his high school team as well.
Sincere Parker (Rockford East – 2020)
Parker broke out with his play for the Illinois Stars in July. This 6’3” shooting guard can score at all three levels with a fluid offensive repertoire. Wing that could post monster numbers as a junior.
Jack Holmstrom (Rockford Guilford – 2020)
Holmstrom is a versatile combo forward that brings a lot of toughness to the table. He can defend multiple positions and is a knockdown shooter from three.
Donovan Amos (Fremd – 2021)
Amos is a rangy 6’2” shooting guard that should continue to grow. He impressed late in July at the Chicago Summer Challenge with the way he shot the ball with his feathery jumper.
Brennan Syas (Southland College Prep – 2021)
Syas is a well-built 6’2” combo guard that brings strength and length to the table. This lefty can score in the paint and is a tough rebounder.
Jordan Hardiek (Teutopolis – 2021)
This southern Illinois point guard emerged with his play during the spring and summer with the Illinois Bears. Kid can really shoot the basketball from deep being able to play both on and off the ball.
Tyler Jowett (Mascoutah – 2019)
Jowett really impressed us with the progress he made when we saw him this fall. Skilled combo forward with a soft touch around the hoop and is a sneaky athlete.
Carter Thurman (Plainfield North – 2019)
Thurman is a skilled lefty that can play both forward spots. Strength allows him to finish through contact and has some skill from mid-range in.
Rocco Ronzio (Hersey – 2019)
Ronzio is a sleeper combo guard that is a slick passer. Also can shoot it when given space from behind the arc.
Christian Henry (St. Rita – 2021)
Henry will be in a rotation of quality point guards at St. Rita. Don’t sleep on this sophomore with his ability to win off the bounce and score in bunches.
Cameron Mallory (Lincoln Way East – 2021)
Mallory is a long and projectable 6’4” small forward that has athletic pop. Quick first step allows him to score off the bounce.
Ryan Connolly (Grayslake North – 2020)
This junior is an attacking shooting guard that can get to the rim. Goes at the hoop with reckless abandon and isn’t afraid of contact. Scoring pop here!
Mazeed Oluewu (North Shore Country Day – 2019)
Physical 6’3” shooting guard that attacks off the bounce. Finishes well through and around traffic at the cup.
Luke Braman (Roanoke Benson – 2021)
Unknown big man from central Illinois who stands at 6’8” with quality strength. Plus rebounder snatching them in traffic. Scoring potential both on the block and on short jumpers.
Darius Buford (Bolingbrook – 2020)
Every year another guard from Bolingbrook emerges. Buford will be the guy this year. Scoring combo guard with above average athleticism.
Landon Zurliene (Fairfield – 2021)
Southern Illinois two guard has positional size already at 6’3”. Kid can really shoot the basketball from both mid-range and three with a quick release.
Christian Armstrong (Fremd – 2020)
Smaller point guard at only 5’7”, but he will be a key player this year for his high school squad. Lives in the lane and converts some tough and acrobatic finishes.
Cameron Bowlby (Marissa-Coulterville – 2019)
This 5’11” point guard from southern Illinois is a flashy lead guard that is best in the open floor where he can use his speed, vision, and pull up jumper.
Jake Dimovski (Downers Grove South – 2021)
Smaller point guard that can really shoot the basketball. Proved to be a solid catch and shoot threat this fall and could emerge as that during the high school season.
Caleb Zurliene (Breese Mater Dei – 2020)
Zurliene is going to explode this season! The shooting guard is a lethal sniper from any spot on the floor. Wiry wing with plus athleticism.
Parker Higginbottom (St. Ignatius – 2021)
Higginbottom is a lead guard that can really shoot the basketball. The 5’9” sophomore is a crafty guard that is becoming a consistent shooter from all levels.
Anthony Rattanasavanh (Christian Life – 2020)
Explosive passer at 5’10” that knows how to get his teammates involved. Handles well in space.
Dylan Keenan (Barrington – 2020)
Keenan is a slashing two guard that can score in a variety of ways at the rim. Floater game is a strength of his.
Alex Freiburger (North Shore Country Day – 2021)
Long 6’6” power forward that has projectability to continue to grow. Definitely still pretty raw, but there are intriguing tools which could emerge during the high school season.
Ryan Menocal (Northridge Prep – 2019)
Good size and strength on the perimeter out of this 6’4” wing. Has shown that he can get to the rim and finish through contact in the paint.
Tagen Pearson (Nazareth – 2020)
Pearson is a smooth scoring two guard that can really shoot the basketball. High basketball IQ and knows where he does the most damage from. Nose for the ball too.