Annual Riverside Brookfield Summer Shootout Live Period has a lot of teams, players for college coaches to see, and teams that look like they could be contenders this coming winter. High school transfer portal and some other things will affect that but here are some teams and players to watch. Will start with defending state champs that are in the field, then some others. Here we go:
HOMEWOOD FLOSSMOOR (CLASS 4A): They lost a lot of talent, but this communtiy pumps out talent, and Coach Jamere Dismukes so far has been able to close that fence to outside teams raiding his community for players. They may have a couple of out of state players transfer in possibly. If not still a solid club. Here are some of the top players:
Class of 2025 5'10" combo guard Jayden "JD" Tyler
Class of 2026 6'6" wing Bryce Heard
Class of 2025 6'6" forward Kyle Polk
Class of 2025 6'1" combo guard Ethan Howard
Look out for incoming freshman Class of 2028 5'9" point guard Darius Hawkins
DEPAUL COLLEGE PREP (CHICAGO) (CLASS 3A): Back to back state champs and in different classes (2A, 3A), Coach Tom Kleinschimidt (a great high school player himself when school was called Gordon Tech), has proven to be a great coach. That pack line defense is tough to prepare for. Has some state title experience comng back. Lost some players but gained a nice transfer, and a player returning from injury. Solid chance at three peat. Top players:
Class of 2025 6'0" point guard Makai Kvamme
Class of 2025 6'0" point guard Robert Walls
Class of 2026 6'6" forward Rashaun Porter
Class of 2026 6'0" combo guard AJ Chambers
Class of 2025 6'6" wing Jonas Johnson (coming back from injury)
Look out for Whitney Young (Chicago) transfer Class of 2026 6'1" point guard Rykan Woo.
WENDELL PHILLIPS ACADEMY (CHICAGO) (CLASS 2A): They are set for a repeat with some key returnees as Coach Paris Martin plays at a fast pace with a lot of guards. Pressure, pressure, and more pressure. Top players:
Class of 2025 6'2" combo guard Lawrence "EJ" Horton
Class of 2025 5'10" combo guard Amari Edwards (injured this weekend)
Class of 2025 6'3" wing Phoenix Childs
Class of 2026 6'6" center Claude Mpouma
Look out for newcomer Class of 2026 5'11" combo guard sharpshooter Aiden Horton
SOME OF THE REST OF POSSIBLE TOP TEAMS:
RICH TOWNSHIP (RICHTON PARK) (CLASS 4A): They have been impressive so far when they play their full team together. Yes the summer is not always indicative but you still can see some things. This team has two full starting lineups and 4 time (yes I count the covid year Orr got to semfinals and it was shut down) State Championship Coach Lou Adams has built a future powerhouse in Richton Park. Community is full of talent and has a feeder team now the Jr Raptors. Top players:
Class of 2026 6'2" combo guard Jamson Coulter
Class of 2026 6'4" combo guard Jayden Williams
Class of 2025 6'6" forward Nyshawn Turner
Class of 2025 5'10" point guard Dontae Bell
Look out for transfers the Brooks brothers (not the suits), Class of 2025's 6'7" wing Al Brooks Jr, and 6'1" combo guard Ikee Brooks.
BOLINGBROOK (CLASS 4A): The Brook is loaded. Coach Robert Brost should dominate their new conference this year. Lost some guards but clears the way for a couple of returning guards to shine. Top players:
Class of 2027 6'3" combo guard Davion Thompson
Class of 2025 6'7" wing JT Pettigrew
Class of 2026 6'0" point guard Trey Brost
Look out for Romeoville transfer Class of 2026 6'9" center Jayden Madden, and incoming freshman Class of 2028 6'3" combo guard Brady Pettigrew.
BENET ACADEMY (LISLE) (CLASS 4A): Coach Gene Heidkamp is one of the best coaches in the state of Illinois, a Hall of Famer. I said last year they'd win a title within three years, then they lost their top talent in Class of 2026 nationally ranked player 6'6" wing Gabe Sularski to Lemont. Even with that they are still loaded with talent. Look for a couple of players to step forward this year. Top players:
Class of 2025 6'9" wing Daniel Paulikonis
Class of 2026 5'10" point guard Jayden Wright
Class of 2025 5'10" point guard Blake Fagbemi
Class of 2026 7'0" center Colin Stack
Look for Paulikonis to really step forward this season and Stack to be more of a force with more strength.
ST LAURENCE (BURBANK) (CLASS 3A): Coach Roshawn Russell had a stacked team at St Rita (Chicago) but made the move here after a year as an assistant. Lot of pressure with returning talent, and former teammates transferring back to join other 3-4 year varsity performers. Trying to contend with 2 time champ DePaul College Prep (Chicago) in Class 3A. Top players:
Class of 2025 6'1" combo guard Bradley Stratton
Class of 2025 6'3" combo guard Zerrick Johnson
Class of 2025 6'5" wing Caleb Lindsey
Two players transferred back Class of 2025's 6'4" combo guard Jacob Rice (Top 10 player in state in class), and 6'0" combo guard EJ Mosley. Class of 2025 6'6" forward Jeremiah Lesure comes from South (Plainfield). Class of 2027's 6'3" combo guard Reggie Stevens and 6'2" combo guard Markese Peoples makes this team very deep.
ROLLING MEADOWS (CLASS 4A): Best chance to get to Champaign as all 5 starters return. Coach Kevin Katovich I'm sure is happy the regionals and sectionals changed last year. Didn't have great draws and covid got in the way of the Christie brothers (Max, Cameron) getting deep in the playoffs. Top players:
Class of 2025 6'7" wing Ian Militec (Marquette commit)
Class of 2025 6'0" combo guard Jack Duffer
Class of 2025 6'7" forward Lazar Lazarevic
Class of 2025 6'1" combo guard Jaeden Warrener
Class of 2025 6'3" wing Gavin Escobedo
They have some size, shooting, and passing at all positions.
GLENBARD WEST (GLEN ELLYN) (CLASS 4A): Coach Jason Opoka, after having one of the best teams in state history three years ago (2022 State Champs didn't lose a game to an Illinois team), this is his best contender since. Lost only 2 players and gained a couple of transfers. Still plays that 1-3-1 zone defense made famous by that monster squad from three years ago. Top players:
Class of 2026 6'3" point guard TJ Williams
Class of 2025 6'5" wing Dominic Seaney
Class of 2025 6'6" forward Lucas Glover
Class of 2025 6'8" center Mike O'Connell (Northwestern football commit)
Class of 2025 6'3" wing Bryce Huff
Two teansfers fortify their depth: Class of 2026's 6'6" wing Josh Abushanab, and 5'10" point guard Ashton Flowers.
WEST (JOLIET) (CLASS 4A): Another loaded team with returnees and transfers dotting the lineup. Coach Jeremy Krieger has been experimenting in June with different lineups (right time to do so), but team has a lot of potential. Top players:
Class of 2025 6'5" wing Zion Gross
Class of 2026 6'3" wing Aamir Shannon
Class of 2026 6'1" wing Luke Grevengoed
Class of 2027 5'10" point guard Jamari Fears
Two transfers make them tough to deal with: Class of 2026's 6'7" wing Ethan Hillsman (transfer from Brentwood Academy (TN)) , and 6'3" wing Mickeis Johnson from Romeoville.
WARREN TOWNSHIP (GURNEE) (4A): Coach Zack Ryan was a few seconds from making it to Champaign last season. Free throws did them in at Northern Illinois University. May have another shot this year as he has a special talent at point guard in Jaxson Davis. Not a lot of size but might have enough to get over the hump. Top players:
Class of 2027 6'1" point guard Jaxson Davis
Class of 2026 6'2" combo guad Braylon Walker
Class of 2025 6'2"wing Javerion Banks
Class of 2025 6'4" wing Jack Wolf
Wolf is the football quarterback and brings them some toughness. Banks is that wing athlete who will dunk on you at any moment.
STEVENSON (LINCOLNSHIRE (4A): Lake County will be banging this winter. Along with Waukegan (who's at Romeoville), will be a three team race in North Suburban with Warren Township (Gurnee). Second year coach Will Benson is replacing a legend in Pat Ambrose a Hall of Famer. He has some talent to work with here. Top players:
Class of 2025 6'8' wing Atticus Richmond
Class of 2025 6'3" combo guard Aiden Bardic
Class of 2026 6'2" point guard Rocco Pagliocca
Class of 2025 6'5"forward Liam Curtin
Class of 2026 6'0" point guard Donovan Simmons
Class of 2026 6'0"combo guard Donnie Williams
Deep in guard play and has some size in the interior.
DOWNSTATE POWER:
MANUAL (PEORIA) (CLASS 2A): Coach Marvin Jordan Jr had a surprising loss early in the state playoffs last year with a 17 point fourth quarter lead that went away. Big time motviation for a very young team last season that was one of the favorites in Class 2A. They have an ace in the hole this year. The best player in the state in Dietrich Richardson, and a lot of talented pieces around him. Top players:
Class of 2025 6'7"point guard Dietrich Richardson
Class of 2026 guard Tony Bradford
Class of 2026 guard JaQuan Brown
Class of 2026 6'1" combo guard Josh Humbles
Class of 2026 6'0" combo guard Reggie Postlewaite
Class of 2025 6'4" forward Amare Breedlove
Class of 2025 5'10" point guard DJ Finley
Class of 2026 5'10" point guard Nas Jackson
As you can see deep in talent and have to figure out the rotations to get the best out of all the talent.
OTHER TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Class of 2025 6'11" Nick Allen, Bradley Bourbonnais
Class of 2025 6'3" Elijah Lovemore, Bloom Township (Chicago Heights)
Class of 2025 6'4" Payton Edwards, Bloom Township (Chicago Heights)
Class of 2026 6'6" Charles Barnes, DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago)
Class of 2026 6'1" Morgan TRAVIS, DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago)
Class of 2026 6'5" Lincoln Williams, Kankakee
Class of 2025 6'3" Cameron Thomas, Mount Carmel (Chicago)
Class of 2026 6'0" Noah Mister, Mount Carmel (Chicago)
Class of 2025 6'3" Grant Best, Mount Carmel (Chicago)
Class of 2026 6'6" Gabe Sularski, Lemont
Class of 2025 6'2" Alanas Castillo, Lemont
Class of 2025 6'4" Arden Eaves, Thornwood (South Holland)
Class of 2025 5'11" Christopher "CJ" Thomas, Hyde Park Academy (Chicago)
Class of 2025 6'4" Derrick Dowdell Jr, Perspectives Leadership (Chicago)
Class of 2026 6'7" Stephen Brown, Marist (Chicago)
Class of 2026 6'0" Adoni Vassilakis, Marist (Chicago)
Class of 2026 6'3" Karson Thomas, Marist (Chicago)
Class of 2025 6'6" Antonio Munoz, Whitney Young (Chicago)
Class of 2026 6'2" Marquise Clark, Whitney Young (Chicago)
Class of 2027 6'6" Howard Williams, Whitney Young (Chicago)
Class of 2025 6'5" Leshawn Stowers, Peoria
Class of 2025 6'7" Brady Sehlhorst, Notre Dame College Prep (Niles)
Class of 2025 6'0" Reid Olson, Niles North (Skokie)
Class of 2025 6'0" Yaris Irby, Niles North (Skokie)
Class of 2025 6'5" Hunter Gawron, Niles North (Skokie)
Class of 2026 6'3" Danny Houlihan, New Trier (Winnetka)
Class of 2025 6['3" Colby Smith, New Trier (Winnetka)
Class of 2025 6'8" Jake Nosek, Metea Valley (Aurora)
Class of 2026 6'2" Tre Watkins, Metea Valley (Aurora)
Class of 2025 6'4" Brent Taylor, Lincoln Way East (Frankfort)
Class of 2026 6'0" BJ Powell, Lincoln Way East (Frankfort)
Class of 2026 6'3" Panayiotis Sotos, Maine South (Park Ridge)
Class of 2026 6'5"RicoAntonio D'Alessandro, Maine South (Park Ridge)
Class of 2025 6'3" Zack Sharkey, Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights)
Class of 2025 6'7" Ian Polonowski, Lyons Towsnhip (LaGrange)
Class of 2026 6'3" Ahmad Lee, Lincoln Park (Chicago)
Class of 2025 6'4" Chayse Turner, Lincoln Park (Chicago)
Class of 2025 6'10" Dalton Scantlebury, Lane Tech College Prep (Chicago)
Class of 2025 6'7" Zach Mazanowski, Lane Tech College Prep (Chicago)
Class of 2025 6'8" Anton Strelnikov, Lake Zurich
Class of 2026 6'4" Kain Kretschmar, Lake Zurich
Class of 2025 6'7" Jax Abalos, Batavia
Class of 2025 6'10" Jonah Funk, El Paso Gridley
Class of 2025 6'5" Micah Meiss, El Paso Gridley
Class of 2025 6'4" Theo Rocca, Evanston Township
Class of 2025 6'3" Kaidan Chatham, Evanston Township
Class of 2025 5'10" Ian Peters, Evanston Township
Class of 2025 6'0" Jack Schager, Glenbard North (Carol Stream)
Class of 2025 6'0" Jovi Ratliff, Hillcrest (Country Club Hills)
Class of 2025 6'1" Sean Reynolds, DeKalb
Class of 2026 6'5" Davon Grant, DeKalb
Class of 2026 6'8" Jake Pollack, Deerfield
Class of 2025 6'5" Jake Johnson, Burlington Central (Hampshire)
Class of 2026 6'5" Oliver Gray, Barrington
Class of 2025 6'0" Luke Smith, Addison Trail (Addison)
Class of 2026 6'2" Trey Williams, Loyola Academy (Wilmette)
Class of 2025 Brendan Loftus, Loyola Academy (Wilmette)
Class of 2025 6'5" Matthew Zobrist, Metamora
Class of 2026 6'3" Cameron Mercer, Riverside Brookfield
Class of 2025 6'2" Danny Loftus, Riverside Brookfield
Class of 2025 6'6" Mantas Sleinys, Riverside Brookfield
Class of 2025 5'9" Vince Dockendorf, Riverside Brookfield
Class of 2026 6'4" Mason Lockett IV, East (Oswego)
Class of 2025 6'4" Marcos Gonzales, Brother Rice (Chicago)
Class of 2025 6'4" Caden Workman, Brother Rice (Chicago)
Class of 2025 5'11" AJ Demirov, South (Crystal Lake)
Class of 2027 6'2" Carson Trivelini, South (Crystal Lake)
Class of 2025 6'10" Aleks Alston, Kenwood Academy (Chicago)
Class of 2026 6'2" Rajon Roberts, Kenwood Academy (Chicago)
Class of 2027 6'1" Devin Cleveland, Kenwood Academy (Chicago)
Class of 2025 6'1" EJ Breland, St Patrick (Chicago)
Class of 2025 6'7" Nevaeh Hawkins, St Patrick (Chicago)
Class of 2025 6'2" Donte Montgomery, Oak Lawn
Class of 2025 6'3" Phoenix Gill. St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago) (Northwestern commit)
Class of 2026 6'5" Chris Bolte, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)
Class of 2025 6'6" Zion Young, Schaumburg
Class of 2025 6'0" Jordan Tunis, Schaumburg
Class of 2025 6'2" Tyreek Coleman, Waubonsie Valley (Aurora)
Class of 2025 6'6" Braden Freeman, Moline
Class of 2025 6'5" Trey Taylor, Moline
Class of 2027 5'7" Arthur Abbey, Moline
Class of 2027 6'7" Hayden Schroeder, Wheaton Academy (West Chicago)
Class of 2025 6'0" Sam Thomas, Wheaton Academy (West Chicago)
Class of 2025 6'4" Chris Tacher, Wheaton Academy (West Chicago)
Class of 2025 6'0" Ty Macariola, Fenwick (Oak Park)
Class of 2025 6'5" Nate Marshall, Fenwick (Oak Park)
Class of 2025 5'7" Deonte Meeks, Fenwick (Oak Park)
Class of 2025 6'3" Lorenzo Shields, Simeon Career Academy (Chicago)
Class of 2026 6'5" Kassidy Nelson, Simeon Career Academy (Chicago)
Class of 2026 6'5" Andre Tyler, Simeon Career Academy (Chicago)
Class of 2025 6'4" Vincas Buzelis, Hinsdale Central
Class of 2025 6'8" Tyler Tylka, Hinsdale Central
Class of 2025 6'7" Michael Howell, Hinsdale Central
CLASS OF 2028 TALENTS:
A few nice incoming freshman that will help their teams:
Cole Kelly, 6'6" Neuqua Valley (Naperville)
Orlando Edwards Jr, Peoria
Nigel Moore, Peoria
Kaylen Hardy, Peoria
Jacob Duffin Jr, Peoria
Rosevelt Thomas, 6'3" DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago)
Alvin Robinson Jr, 6'3" Lincoln Park (Chicago)
Ben Ojala, 6'0" Evanston Township
NOTE:
Class of 2026 6’3” Christopher Kirkpatrick of New Trier (Winnetka) will not be playing due to elbow strain.
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