Top Five Rim Protectors in the State of Illinois!!!!

Bill Russell 11 time NBA Champion for the Boston Celtics is the best rim protector of all time. He kept his blocked shots inbounds to start the fast break for his team. He would tell opponents "I'm going to block four shots in this game, and I'm not telling you which ones I'm going to block". It's psychological as well as athlticism and timing. There are some elite rim protectors in the state. You need timing, leaping ability, atleticism, intelligence not to get into foul trouble, amongst other gifts to be good at this skill. I've named five that are just elite at what they do. Not all are centers, the top one is likely a wing at the next level. Here we go:

1) Brad Blackwell, Crane Medical (Chicago): Class of 2026 6'6" forward will likely be a wing at the next level. To me he's the tops on the high school level. He intimidates with his timing, blocking shots either in shooters hand, or when offensive player releases his shot. He keeps shots inbounds that usually starts a break for his team, or grabs the rebound and makes a nice outlet pass to a guard. Surprises some offensive players because he's not the typical big man that is an elite rim protector.

2) Cooper Knowles, West Hancock: Class of 2026 6'10" forward is a King of Bounce who uses big time leaping ability to erase shots either in the paint, or will block a three point shot as well. Wipes them off the backboard in the paint area, also the threat of blocking shots changes shot tragectory of offensive players. Good timing to wait until offensive player releases shot, then catches it in mid air. Versatile in that he blocks shots with either hand and covers a lot of ground out of his area.

3) Jeffrey Hassan, Kaneland: Class of 2027 6'9" forward is the best rim protector of underclassmen in the state. He's actually getting BETTER at this. He's learned to use timing and catching shots once shot is released by offensive player. He's doing it without fouling. He would commit fouls getting caught in the air earlier in his career. Now he's being more patient in diagnosing when opposing player releases shot. Covers a lot of ground, doesn't just catch shots in the paint.

4) Cedrick Carter, Intrinsic Downtown (Chicago): Class of 2026 6'8" forward Dyouville (D2) commit uses timing, guile, and waits for the shooter to get shot off. Doesn't usually catch a shot in the offensive players hand. Athleticism covers ground and he catches them on and off the ball. Blocks a lot of them out of bounds, needs to get a little better at keeping it in play. Sometimes you have to make a statement knocking one out of bounds for intimidation factor.

5) Colin Stack, Benet Academy (Lisle): Class of 2026 7'1" center is more picky with when he rejects a shot. He'll sometimes not even jump to block a shot, having already intimidated an opponent by his sheer height on this level. He's gotten more aggressive in his rim protecting over the last year or so. He's gotten better at staying on his feet and knowing when to jump and when not to. He's not getting reckless fouls by jumping at ball fakes, or jumping before shot has gotten out of offensive players hands.

TWO MORE FOR THE FUTURE:

Amari Williams, Class of 2028 6'9" forward, Shepard (Palos Heights)

Amir Beasley, Class of 2028 6'9" wing, Danville