Class of 2028 Top 50 players In Illinois!!!

First installment of Top 50 rankings in the state of Illinois for Class of 2028. This is a very deep class in the state and some players may not make this list for now. Lots of movement will be made in the next three years. This is a list of top players, prospects, and how some have played on varsity. A lot of players on this list have played varsity minutes in their freshman year. That will be accounted for as well as how they played on the travel circuit and in Showcases I've seen. Tough as it's actually 51 names, I had a tie at 50th. Pictures will go past the top ten as folks are getting familiar with these young men. Here we go:

NOTE: Two players I have not seen yet are good candidates for this list. Archie Goeway (6'2" combo guard) of Centralia is a two sport athlete as he's been starting quarterback since he enter high school. Ryder Wettig (6'4" combo guard) of Trico is the other. Hope to see them both play soon.

1) Cole Kelly, 6'7" wing, Neuqua Valley (Naperville): Double/double machine as he scores from three off the catch or the bounce. Productive putting up numbers in bunches. Can score from any spot around the three point arc. Lefty attacks the rim from perimeter and finishes through contact getting three point plays as a result. Rebounds at a high level on both ends of the court. Rim protects blocking shots on the ball or off helpside. Gets up and down in transition running to dunkers spot, or bringing it himself. Has multiple division one offers. Nationally ranked in his class consensus Top 40 player.

2) Brady Pettigrew, 6'4" combo guard, Bolingbrook: King of Bounce who can play all perimeter positions. Can employ him at the point to run the offense, make nice passes, or put him on the wing to score in a variety of ways. Hits threes off the bounce or the catch, nice mid range jumper off the bounce. Of course he attacks the rim and dunks on defenders, or uses step around Euro step to finish with either hand. Defends at least four positions on the high school level. Blocks shots mostly off helpside defense. Has multiple division one offers. Nationally ranked in his class consensus Top 20 player.

3) Ethan Vahl, 6'3" point guard, Oswego: Versatile point guard who can push the ball in transition, or run the offense in the halfcourt. Makes nice passes up the court, or on penetration and dishes to three point shooters. Great rebounder for a point guard, as he gets them on the defensive end, or crashes offensive glass. Oh and he can shoot it from deep out to 25 feet, either off the bounce or the catch. Nice fallaway mid range jump shot, and uses up and unders to finish at the rim. Defends at a high level on the perimeter.

4) Braydon Porter, 6'4" combo guard. Yorkville: King of Bounce stock riser. Came into high school as just an athlete with run/jump skills. He has improved his perimeter game over the past year. He can score from three, off the catch, or the bounce. Tight handle can attack the rim and finish through contact with strong body. He'll also rise over you and dunk it. Nice two dribble pull up from mid range. Has all the offensive skills, and can defend a number of positions. Gets deflections on or off the ball, running out in transition for big time finishes.

5) Amarion Smith-Holley, 6'1” point guard, Richwoods (Peoria): King of Bounce who'll rise over defender and dunk attacking off half court or in transition. Big time scorer who'll hit threes, attack the rim and finish around contact with nice flick shots using English to score. Quick in transtion getting downhill and putting pressure on the defense. More of a scorer right now than floor general. Game will rise once he gets when to score and when to pass. Plus defender who gets into opponents and makes them miserable for the offense. Quick hands to get steals to get out in transition.

6) Joey Jakstys, 6'7" wing, Yorkville: Hits threes in transition mostly trailing the play and scoring off catch and shoot variety. Has improved attacking the defense downhill and scoring at the rim. Can post up just off the block and hit turnaround jumpers in the mid post area. Hits the defensive glass boxing out. Will get an outlet pass to guard or bring it himself. Uses spin moves around the rim to finish, or kick out to shooters. Can be secondary ball handler as a point guard.

7) Amari Williams, 6'10" forward, Shepard (Palos Heights): Biggest skill at this point is he plays hard all the time, Gets up and down the floor in transition changing ends of the court. Hits the glass on both ends of the court and scores with both hands around the rim. Rim protector blocking shots on the ball or off help side. Scores on the block, or in the mid range. Improving on stepping out and hitting threes. Futures bet as a lot of room for growth in this young man's game skillwise.

8) Amir Beasley, 6'9" forward, Danville: Young man could move up near the top of this list when it's all said and done. This ranking is definitely a potential futures bet here. Gazelle who can change ends of the floor very well. Long armed and still getting used to his body. Hits threes and can score in the mid range off the dribble or catching the ball in the paint. Elite rim protector who uses those arms to intimidate and catch shots in the air. Getting used to attacking the rim off the dribble, finishing will get better as he gains more strength.

9) Darrius Hawkins Jr, 5'10" point guard, Homewood Flossmoor: Just a gritty clutch player who brings it on both ends of the court. Floor general who gets where he wants off the dribble. Penetrates the lane and scores on up and unders, floaters, or kicking it out to teammates. Lefty is an improving three point shooter off the catch or the bounce. Makes the clutch play whether scoring, getting a key steal, or making the nice pass. Defends like a hawk (no pun intended).

10) Grant Smith, 6'6" wing, Lyons Township (LaGrange): He should explode on varsity this year. Played junior varsity his freshman year. Showed his versatility on the Nike EYBL Circuit with Meanstreets, and in a number of showcases. Scores from three off the dribble or the catch. Strong attacker to the rim finishing through or around contact. Blocks shots mostly off helpside. Hits the glass on both ends of the court. Gets out on the wings in transition and gets layups or dunks. High motor young man.

11) Chase Kasten, 6'5" combo guard, Normal Community: Shooter, shooter, shooter. Fills it up from three off the bounce, catch, or step backs. Has a nice fadeaway from mid range. Floats down the court finding the open spots for his jump shot. Changes ends in transtion to get to the rim either off the bounce, or receiving a pass from teammate. Hits the defensive glass and can push it himself to set up offense.

12) Jeremiah Martin-Toney, 6'1" combo guard, St Laurence (Burbank): King of Bounce will put a defender on a poster at a moments notice. Lefty is a big time slasher from the perimeter who can finish with Euro steps around defenders, or score through contact with a nice sooth shot off the glass, or a dunk. Defends a number of positons on the perimeter. Makes game changing plays on both ends.

13) Kayden Turner, 6'4" combo guard, Peoria: Smooth scorer who can do it in a variety of ways. Three level scorer who can put up huge numbers in a hurry. A year ago was just a three point shooter, one of the best in the state. He has diversified his game using drives, fadeaway mid range pull-ups, and Euro step finishes at the rim. Good passer setting up teammates for scores. Hits the glass on both ends, boxing out opponent. Can bring ball up himself and set up offense as a point guard. Improved defender as well on the ball.

14) Terrence "Bookas" Davis Jr, 6'3" combo guard, Libertyville: I may have him higher then some others. Versatile player who defends a number of positions. Gives offenses trobule putting the ball on the floor, or moving off the ball. Offensively he's a King of Bounce who can dunk on defenders. Scores well in the mid range, fallaways, two dribble pull-ups, using athleticism to shoot over defenders. Improving three point shooter. Should explode this season for his high school team.

15) Roosevelt "Duke" Thomas, 6'3" wing, DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago): Young man just goes about his business playing within his abilities. Versatile defender who can guard any position on the high school level. Uses his strength on the ball and guarding bigger players in the paint. Can score in mid range, and posting up on the block. Attacks the rim and finishes through contact.

16) Jacob "JJ" Duffin, 6'4" wing, Peoria: Versatility on both ends is his calling card. King of Bounce who'll punch on defenders at the rim. Offense he can score at all three levels as three point shot has improved. Nice mid range jumper gets high on his shot with a smooth release. Scores at the rim through, around, or over defenders. Defense he can guard any position on the perimeter moving his feet, getting deflections and steals, holding his spot in the paint, and blcoking shots at the rim. Hard to keep him out of the lineup.

17) CJ Pittman, 6'0" point guard, Walter Payton College Prep (Chicago): Has become a more efficient floor general knowing when to score and when to pass. Has a scoring package of hitting threes, attacking the rim and finishing along with mid range pull-ups. Not wasting dribbles and using straight attacks in transition and halfcourt. Makes nice passes off penetration out to shooters.

18) Brady Jones, 6'6" wing, Metamora: Can step out and hit threes, as well as score on the block. Gets out in transition to get buckets either off a pass, or attacking the rim off the dribble. Played a lot of varsity minutes last year, hitting the glass, and the occasional three. Rebounds on both ends of the court. Will have plenty of chances to be the main scorer on a team with no seniors. Two sport athlete (baseball).

19) DeAndre Higgs, 6'3" combo guard, Thornton Township (Harvey): Versatile guard who can be employed in a number of spots on offense or defense. Athletic defender who gives offensive players problems with his long arms and energy. Hits threes off the bounce or catch, attacks the rim and finishes in a variety of ways. Played a lot of varsity minutes last season.

20) John Brown IV, 6'7" wing, Homewood Flossmoor: Another future potential ranking here. Will be a monster when light comes on. Can hit threes from all over the court mostly off the catch, but has shown he can do it off the bounce. Playing more aggressive attacking the rim and putting players on posters. As his body develops he'll be finishing better through contact. Can post up on the block and shoot over top of defenders. Rim protector blocking shots off helpside or on the ball. Gazelle flies down the court in transition getting to corners for a three, or run to dunkers spot for an alley-oop dunk.

21) Ben Ojala, 6'2" combo guard, Evanston Township: Came into high school as a deep long range theee point shooter off the catch or the bounce. He still does that but you can employ him on the ball to run point as well. Look for him to do more of that for the Wildkits. Showing ability to get downhill and finish at the rim. Capable defender on the ball pressuring opposing guard.

22) Marion Persich, 6'3" wing, LaSalle Peru: Big time division one prospect at quarterback has started since he got into high school. Pretty good basketball player as well. Versatility on offense as big bodied player can get to the rim and finish through contact. Has the dexterity to finish around contact with Euro step moves. Hits threes at a high level all over the court. Scores with floater in the mid range. Has good feet to defend players on the perimeter, and strength to keep players out of the post.

23) Kelechi Enyia, 6'3" combo guard, Providence Catholic (New Lenox): King of Bounce who is not afraid to attack the rim and finish over big men. Uses tight handle to attack in transtion or the halfcourt. Hits threes from a number of spots on the court. Versatile defender who can play on the ball, or get delfections off the ball. Hits the glass on both ends and will make nice passes to teammates on the break or in halfcourt.

24) Noah Corro, 6'0" point guard, St Laurence (Burbank): Floor general is a deep deep long range three point shooter. Not afraid to pull-up not far across half court of the dribble. Good ball handler to get to his spot and attack the rim. Good balance to look for others with passes to balance his scoring. Can employ him off the ball for catch and shoot opportunities.

25) Jackson Golden, 6'4" forward, Mahomet-Seymour: Two sport star (football), who's a bull in a china shop in basketball. Strong attacker off the bounce that finishes through contact at the rim. Good ball handler to get where he wants on the court as well as score in the mid range. Plays hard all the time crashing the glass on both ends of the court.

26) Logan Brown, 6'4" combo guard, St Laurence (Burbank): Lefty is a three point sniper specifically off the catch. This summer he attacked the rim off the bounce and was aggressive at the rim dunking on defenders. Mindset has changed from being a one dimensional shooter, to doing a little bit of everything on offense. Long arms makes him a plus defender bothering shooters, and getting delfections for steals. Hits the defensive glass.

27) Amir Tucker, 6'0" point guard, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago): Has grown three inches in the last year. Floor general who can shoot the three from long range as well as get to the rim and finish in a variety of ways around defenders. Has long arms and uses them to be a good defender. Has a chance to grow some more. Son of former NBA player Arlando Tucker.

28) Carter Slaise, 6'5" combo guard, Providence St Mel (Chicago): Three level scorer who hits threes off the catch or the bounce. Long arms give defenders problems making steals in passing lanes. Deflections and being active with those arms are very effective. Skinny frame but has no problem finishing at the rim through contact. Has a nice fallaway mid range jump shot. Toughness is at a high level.

29) Lester Watson, 6'1" combo guard, Thornwood Township (South Holland):Versatile guard who can score off the ball as well as run a team. Three level scorer who can hit threes, is an aggressive attacker to the rim off the dribble. Defends both guard positions well. Good ball handler to get to his spots to score.

30) Sam Koch, 6'3" wing, Metamora: Look for a jump on production from this young man. Improved athleticism as he's attacking the rim for dunks. Knockdown three point shooter off the catch or the bounce. Scores from mid range on fadeaway jump shots in the paint. Can defend a number of positions on the court. Younger brother of Iowa player Cooper Koch.

31) Cole Tillman, 6'5" wing, Mendota: Lefty is a smooth three level scorer. Can hit threes but does most of his damage in the mid range. Turnaround jumpers, fadeaways, pull-ups off the dribble. Uses Euro step finishes at the rim to score. Hits rhe glass on both ends of the court.

32) Nigel Moore, 5'11" point guard, Peoria: Lefty is a quick attacker to the rim off the dribble in transition or halfcourt. Hits threes mostly off the dribble, though he has shown he can score on catch and shoot as well. Nice mid range floater, and scorees at the rim on up and unders. Kicks out to shooters off dribble penetration. Quick hands gets steals on the ball.

33) Jeremiah Weatherford, 6'0" point guard, Rich Township (Richton Park): Calling card is his defense. Two sport star (football) uses his lower body strength to get into dribblers and make things miserable for opposing point guards. He does have some offense as he can shoot threes, attack the rim and finish through contact.

34) Jaivyn Richardson, 5'8" point guard, Whitney Young (Chicago): Shooter, shooter, shooter. Young man can fill it up from all over the three point line, or from very deep behind it. Effective off the catch but can create his shot off the dribble as well. Nice mid range floater, and scores with either hand around the rim with clever up and unders. Oh he can run an offense and set up teammates.

35) Josiah Hall, 6'1" combo guard, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago): One of the best three point shooters in the state. Can fill it up from anywhere on the court, mostly off the catch. Uses strength to post up smaller defenders on the block and hit turnaround jumpers from mid range. Scores well through contact when attacking the rim.

36) Kahlil Leonard, 6'2" combo guard, St Francis De Sales (Chicago): Big time three level scorer with a lot in his bag. Transfer from Longwood (Chicago) scores well off the block, in mid range with fakes, step backs, and finishing through contact. Strong bodied guard can hit threes as well as used his strength to score at the rim with either hand.

37) Noah Hester, 6'5" wing, Taft (Chicago): He could move up on this list before it's all said and done. Versatile player who can play all over the court. Gets rebounds, can bring ball up himself, attack the rim and finish through and around contact. Hits threes, and mid range pull-ups. Tight handle helps him gert where he wants on the court.

38) Landyn Cooper-Sutton, 5'9" point guard, Central (Champaign): Lefty is an attacker off the bounce finishing at the rim in a variety of ways. Deadly three point stroke mostly off the dribble. Sets up teammates with nice passes off penetration whether in transition or in halfcourt.

39) Stephen Dixon Jr, 5'10" point guard, DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago): His nickname "The General" says it all. Floor game is exellent knowing when to shoot and when to pass. Gets where he wants off the dribble with ball on a string. Nice mid range pull-up and can hit threes, mostly takes them off the bounce. Can employ him off the ball as well. Can't be sped up.

40) Kai Harvey, 6'2" combo guard, Homewood Flossmoor: Young man is a three level scorer with a nice handle to get to his spots. Hits threes off the dribble or the catch, nice mid range floater, attacks the rim and scorer with up and under moves and through contact. Knows how to use screens well and makes you pay if you go under them.

41) Darrin "DJ" Laye, 6'0" point guard, Marshall (Chicago): Typical West Side point guard. Attack, attack, attack off the bounce getting to the rim and finishing through contact, or up and unders. Seeks contact when getting into the lane even on mid range jumpers. Unselfish passer looks for teammates constantly. Plus defender on and off the ball getting steals in bunches with quick hands.

42) Tristan Garner, 6'1" combo guard, Southland College Prep (Chicago): Big time three point shooter who can hit them from all over the court. Hits them off the dribble or the bounce. Has improved on mid range jumpers and running a team from the point. Nice penetration and kick to shooters.

43) Anfernee Moore, 6'3" wing, Richwoods (Peoria): Rugged player who uses his strong body on the interior to score through contact. Has improved his perimeter game using the bounce to get to the rim, mid range jumpers, or hitting threes. Hits the glass on both ends of the court, and defends a number of positions.

44) Mekhi Young, 6'0" point guard, Thornwood Township (South Holland): Floor general gets to his spots off the dribble into the lane and scorers on floaters, or kickouts to shooters. Hits threes when needed and defends well on the ball. Communicates well with his teammates on offense and defense.

45) Ezenwa Nwagwu, 5'11" point guard, St Rita (Chicago): Lefty can fill it up from three, attack the rim off the bounce, or kick passes out to shooters. Quickness in transition getting end to end with the dribble. Defends hard on the ball getting under defenders using quick hands to get steals.

46) John Morgan, 6'7" forward, South (Crystal Lake): Shoots well from the perimeter mostly off the catch. Rebounds at a high level. Highly skilled fundamentally sound player. Can attack off the dribble and use strong body to finish at the rim. Two sport athlete (baseball). Twin brother of Ryan Morgan.

47) Ryan Morgan, 6'7" forward, South (Crystal Lake): Shoots well from the perimeter mostly off the catch. Rebounds at a high level. Highly skilled fundamentally sound player. Can attack off the dribble and use strong body to finish at the rim. Two sport athlete (baseball). Twin brother of John Morgan.

48) Jayden Dozie, 6'0" point guard, Maine East (Park Ridge): Big time three level scorer who also gets teammates involved by making good passes in halfcourt or in transition. Hits threes off the bounce or catch. Ball handling to get to his spots off the dribble. Scores on fallaway mid range jumpers, can attack the rim and finish through or around contact.

49) Kyler Payne, 6'7" forward, Waubonsie Valley (Aurora): Good scorer in the low post with a number of moves and spins. Can step out and hit a three off the catch. Hits the glass on both ends of the court. Rim protects blocking shots on the ball. Will spin and dunk the ball in the post. Two sport athlete (football)

50 tie) Alvin Robinson III, 6'3" combo guard, Lincoln Park (Chicago): Called "JJ". Wing player who can score in a number of ways. Hits threes mostly off the catch, attacks the rim and finishes through or around contact. Hits mid range jumpers. Uses long arms to defend and get delfections on perimeter or block spots in the paint.

50 tie) DJ Caldwell, 6'4" point guard, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago): He's had an injured plagued high school career so far. Could move up on the list. Skilled point guard who can run a team, makes nice passes to teammates for baskets. Long arms is a disruptor on defense. Hits threes off the catch and can attack the rim and finish.