20 BEST PLAYERS OF ’21

DESPITE SHORTENED SEASON, SUN-TIMES ALL-AREA BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM PROVIDED SOME GREAT MEMORIES

ROBBIE AVILA Oak Forest, 6-8, F, Jr.

Multidimensional big man with a terrific feel for the game. Averaged 25.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and three assists. Set a school record with 42 points against Tinley Park and 21 rebounds against Richards. Is on pace to break school’s all-time scoring record despite COVID-19 shortened season.

ISAIAH BARNES Simeon, 6-7, G, Sr.

Michigan recruit. All-City selection. Took his game to a new level after transferring from Oak Park, developing into a consistent three-point threat. Averaged 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists. One of the area’s best athletes capable of taking over games for long stretches. Helped Wolverines to 9-1 record and first-place finish in Red-South/Central.

TIMARIS BROWN St. Patrick, 6-5, F, Jr.

All-City selection. Averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals despite deferring to senior teammates. Impressive shooting long range and getting to the basket. Helped lead Shamrocks to 8-3 season and invitation to the Chipotle Clash of Champions.

AJ CASEY Young, 6-8, F, Jr.

All-City and two-time All-Area selection. Didn’t miss a beat after transferring back to the Public League from Tinley Park. One of the top 30 players in the national Class of 2021 and has offers from a dozen major college programs, including Ohio State, Kansas, Michigan, Gonzaga and Illinois.

MAX CHRISTIE

Rolling Meadows, 6-7, G, Sr.

Michigan State recruit. McDonald’s All-American and Sun-Times Player of the Year. Three-time All-Area selection.

Averaged 24 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks. All-time leading scorer in school and Mid-Suburban League history with more than 2,000 points. Led Mustangs to MSL title and 15-0 season.

KAM CRAFT

Buffalo Grove, 6-5, G, Jr.

Two-time All-Area selection. Averaged a school-record 27.1 points. Also led the team in rebounds (7.4) and steals (2.9). Shot 53% from the field and 41% from three. Has scored 1,694 points in his career. Currently has offers from Maryland, Nebraska, Xavier and DePaul, among others.

CONOR ENRIGHT Mundelein, 6-2, G, Sr.

Drake recruit. Dynamic, always active guard who partnered with SIU recruit Scottie Ebube to lead Mustangs to 43-6 record the last two seasons. Averaged 14.5 points, six rebounds, four assists and shot 46% from three. Led team to North Suburban Conference title and a spot in the Chipotle Clash of Champions.

BRANDON HALL Thornton, 6-4, G, Sr.

East Tennessee State recruit. Strong and athletic force that helped lead the Wildcats to two extremely successful seasons, including a run to the sectional finals last season cut short by COVID-19. Excellent three-point shooter and a rebounding force despite playing mostly on the perimeter. Averaged 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

CHAZ HARVEY Brooks, 6-2, G, Sr.

Uncommitted. All-City selection. Smart, smooth guard broke out of the shadows of the White Division to lead the Eagles to a fourth-place finish in the powerful Red-South/Central. Averaged 20 points, 6.8 rebounds and two steals. Had 25 points against Simeon, 29 against Corliss and 27 against Curie.

BRYCE HOPKINS Fenwick, 6-6, G, Sr.

Kentucky recruit. Two-time All-Area selection. Lawless Award winner in Catholic League. Averaged 24.4 points, 12.5 rebounds, three assists, 1.8 steals, 1.5 blocks and shot 59%. Made gamewinning plays in the final minute against DePaul Prep, Loyola, St. Ignatius and Leo.

BRADEN HUFF Glenbard West, 6-10, F, Jr.

Emerged as one of the state’s most dominant all-around players. Put up 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 blocks while averaging just 22 minutes a game. Led Hilltoppers to 16-1 season and West Suburban Silver co-championship.

TY JOHNSON DePaul Prep, 6-2, G, Sr.

Loyola recruit. Two-time All-Area selection. All-City selection. Led Rams to Chipotle Clash of Champions tournament title. Averaged 20.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.9 steals and shot 51%. The undisputed leader and top player on the area’s top-ranked team.

LOUIS LESMOND Notre Dame, 6-5, F, Sr.

Harvard recruit. East Suburban Catholic Player of the

Year. Led Dons to 15-3 season. Averaged 17.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and two assists. Was a dominant force on defense as well, regularly shutting down the opposition’s best guard or wing player.

NICK MARTINELLI Glenbrook South, 6-7, F, Jr.

Stepped into his older brother Dom’s shoes as an all-around star and All-Area selection. Led Titans to

16-2 season. Averaged 21.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting an incredible 67.5% from the field and 57.7% from three.

BLAKE PETERS Evanston, 6-1, G, Sr.

Princeton recruit. Leading scorer in school history with

1,585 points. Key factor in the Wildkits’ incredible run over the last four seasons.

Averaged 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Made national headlines with his 3/4 court buzzer-beater as a freshman, one of several game-winners in his career.

ETHAN ROBERTS Hersey, 6-5, G, Sr.

Uncommitted. Emerged as a star player in the Mid-Suburban League after one season of adjusting to the league after transferring from Memphis. Averaged 20.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Led Huskies to 13-3 season.

JULIUS ROLLINS Hillcrest, 6-6, F, Sr.

Kent State recruit. Averaged 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 steals in limited minutes on a squad loaded with potential Division I players. Teamed with Jakobi Heady and Mar’Keise Irving to lead Hawks to 13-0 season and South Suburban Blue title.

JADEN SCHUTT

Yorkville Christian, 6-4, G, Jr.

Widely regarded as one of the state’s best shooters, Schutt improved in all facets this season, including playmaking and attacking the rim. Averaged

26.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.6 steals. Shot 55% from the field and 40% from three.

BEN SCHWIEGER Waubonsie Valley, 6-5, G, Sr.

Loyola recruit. One of the state’s most efficient players, averaging 17 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks while shooting

67.1% from the field and 48.6% from three with a 2-1 assist to turnover ratio.

JJ TAYLOR Kenwood, 6-8, G, So.

The state’s top-ranked sophomore averaged 28.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks. Teamed with fellow sophomores Darrin Ames and Davius Loury to lead a very young team with a first-year head coach to 12-2 overall record and third place in the rugged Red-South/Central. ✶