Replacing Class of 2020 Stars for Next Season Pt 1
As we look ahead to next high school season there will be quite a few stars from the 2020 class that will need to be replaced. Here we examine some of those graduating stars and who their potential replacements could…
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Continue ReadingAs we look ahead to next high school season there will be quite a few stars from the 2020 class that will need to be replaced. Here we examine some of those graduating stars and who their potential replacements could be for their high school squads! This is Part 1!
High School: Whitney Young
2020 Star:
DJ Steward
DJ
Steward
6'2" | PG
Whitney Young | 2020
State
#22
Nation
IL
&
Tyler Beard
Tyler
Beard
6'3" | PG
Whitney Young | 2021
#140
Nation
VA
Future Replacement:
Jaehshon Thomas
Jaehshon
Thomas
6'1" | PG
Whitney Young | 2021
State
IL
&
Dalen Davis
Dalen
Davis
6'0" | PG
Whitney Young | 2023
State
#167
Nation
IL
Replacing two high-major backcourt players headed to Duke and Georgetown is not going to be easy for the Dolphins. These two elevated the Dolphins program over the last few years and were on the verge of getting their state title. The #2 point guard in the 2021 class is a good start to replacing them. That is Jaehshon Thomas Jaehshon Thomas 6'1" | PG Whitney Young | 2021 State IL who brings a lot of the physicality to the position that Beard did. Davis is one of the premier young floor generals in the state. The 2023 prospect is smaller than Steward, but has the tools to develop into a big time guard over the next few years.
High School: Morgan Park
2020 Star:
Adam Miller
Adam
Miller
6'4" | PG
Morgan Park | 2020
State
#34
Nation
IL
&
Marcus Watson
Marcus
Watson
5'11" | PG
Morgan Park | 2020
State
#131
Nation
IL
Future Replacement:
Darrin Ames
Darrin
Ames
6'1" | PG
Kenwood | 2023
State
#99
Nation
IL
&
Ahmere Carson
Ahmere
Carson
5'11" | PG
Morgan Park | 2023
IL
Another elite backcourt to replace here! Two high major players going to Illinois and Wake Forest. Morgan Park will look toward a pair of 2023s to replace them. Darrin Ames Darrin Ames 6'1" | PG Kenwood | 2023 State #99 Nation IL is the higher touted of the two. He saw some run on the varsity team and in spot minutes shined with his perimeter shooting and scoring potential. Carson impressed us when we saw him in the fall. Morgan Park will always have quality guards!
High School: Niles North
2020 Star:
Aquan Smart
Aquan
Smart
6'3" | PG
Niles North | 2020
State
#167
Nation
IL
Future Replacement:
Jalen Butler
Jalen
Butler
6'4" | SF
Niles North | 2021
State
IL
Smart was perhaps made the biggest jump of any top tier player this season. He went from mid-major recruit to Maryland signee. There isn’t big point guard like him on the roster, but we expect a lot of the scoring load to go to 2021 Jalen Butler Jalen Butler 6'4" | SF Niles North | 2021 State IL . Well-built wing that has the potential to breakout as a go to guy next year with Smart playing in the Big 10.
High School: Bloom
2020 Star:
Martice Mitchell
Martice
Mitchell
6'9" | C
Bloom | 2020
State
#153
Nation
IL
Future Replacement:
Emondrek Ford
Emondrek
Ford
6'8" | PF
Bloom | 2022
State
IL
Mitchell is a long and lanky post that is headed to Minnesota next season. He will be replaced by a young power forward with upside in Emondrek Ford Emondrek Ford 6'8" | PF Bloom | 2022 State IL . Rangy four with mobility that can block shots and is a rim runner. Tons of potential here!
High School: Simeon
2020 Star:
Jeremiah Williams
Jeremiah
Williams
6'5" | SF
Simeon | 2020
State
#278
Nation
IL
Future Replacement:
Dylan Ingram
Dylan
Ingram
6'6" | PF
Simeon | 2021
State
IL
&
Fred Poole
Fred
Poole
6'3" | SG
Simeon | 2021
State
IL
&
Isaiah Barnes
Isaiah
Barnes
6'5" | SG
Simeon | 2021
State
#139
Nation
IL
Williams was one of the better all-around players in the state last year. Not the biggest scorer, but he rebounded and defended at a high level while picking his spots to score. A pair of wings/forwards will have to step up to fill his production in Dylan Ingram Dylan Ingram 6'6" | PF Simeon | 2021 State IL and Fred Poole. Each showed glimpses last year, but as seniors they will be expected to play bigger roles. With the news Thursday night biggest impact could come from OPRF transfer Isaiah Barnes Isaiah Barnes 6'5" | SG Simeon | 2021 State #139 Nation IL who is a top 10 prospect in 2021.
High School: Bolingbrook
2020 Star:
Darius Burford
Darius
Burford
6'2" | SG
Bolingbrook | 2020
State
#340
Nation
IL
Future Replacement:
Isaiah Stafford
Isaiah
Stafford
6'1" | PG
Crispus Attucks | 2021
IN
&
Kai Evans
Kai
Evans
6'3" | SG
Bolingbrook | 2021
NV
Burford was a beast for Bolingbrook over the last two seasons. The Elon commit brought size and shooting ability to the table. It will take two guys to replace him. Luckly Rob Brost has that in Isaiah Stafford Isaiah Stafford 6'1" | PG Crispus Attucks | 2021 IN and Kai Evans Kai Evans 6'3" | SG Bolingbrook | 2021 NV . Stafford is the shooter that can hit a high percentage from deep. Evans brings physicality on both ends like Burford did.
High School: Bogan
2020 Star:
Antoine Bloxton
Antoine
Bloxton
6'3" | SG
Bogan | 2020
State
IL
Future Replacement:
Darrion Jones
Darrion
Jones
6'0" | PG
Bogan | 2021
State
IL
Bloxton was an electric scorer this past season lighting up teams on a regular basis. Next in line is Darrion Jones Darrion Jones 6'0" | PG Bogan | 2021 State IL . The top 30 2021 prospect is built a little different with a bigger frame and plays with strength. He should emerge as the go to option in the backcourt for an always strong Bogan squad.
High School: Hinsdale Central
2020 Star:
Ryan Isaacson
Ryan
Isaacson
6'7" | PF
Hinsdale Central | 2020
State
#440
Nation
IL
Future Replacement:
Matas Buzelis
Matas
Buzelis
6'9" | SF
Sunrise Christian | 2023
#2
Nation
NLG
If there is one thing Hinsdale Central has had over the years it is face up fours that can let it fly! Merrimack commit Ryan Isaacson Ryan Isaacson 6'7" | PF Hinsdale Central | 2020 State #440 Nation IL certainly did that over the last several years. Next one to watch is 2023 Matas Buzelis Matas Buzelis 6'9" | SF Sunrise Christian | 2023 #2 Nation NLG . He showed in camps last fall he has the type of skill level that fits in perfect at Hinsdale Central!
High School: Homewood Flossmoor
2020 Star:
RJ Ogom
RJ
Ogom
6'6" | PF
Homewood Flossmoor | 2020
State
IL
Future Replacement:
Chad Readey
Chad
Readey
6'7" | PF
Homewood Flossmoor | 2021
State
IL
&
Christian Meeks
Christian
Meeks
6'6" | SF
Homewood Flossmoor | 2022
State
IL
College of Charleston commit RJ Ogom RJ Ogom 6'6" | PF Homewood Flossmoor | 2020 State IL was a physical force down low moving bodies with his strength and athleticism. Also showcased some inside/outside game as well. HF will have a pair of tough minded forwards to try to fill in his production. Chad Readey Chad Readey 6'7" | PF Homewood Flossmoor | 2021 State IL is a player we have been high on for a long time. He is ready to take the next step. 2022 Christian Meeks Christian Meeks 6'6" | SF Homewood Flossmoor | 2022 State IL brings versatility to play both the three and four and defends all over the floor.
High School: Oswego East
2020 Star:
Will Wolfe
Will
Wolfe
6'5" | SF
Oswego East | 2020
State
IL
Future Replacement:
Odin Lium
Odin
Lium
6'5" | SF
Oswego East | 2021
State
IL
Will Wolfe Will Wolfe 6'5" | SF Oswego East | 2020 State IL transferred in for his senior season at Oswego East from Aurora Christian. He is a skilled wing with a good jump shot and some toughness. The guy that will be replacing him brings many of those qualities to the table as well. That is 2021 small forward Odin Lium Odin Lium 6'5" | SF Oswego East | 2021 State IL . He is a skilled three that can bomb it in from deep and has sneaky athleticism.