10 nominees for 2024 Illinois Ms. Basketball
Players from Illinois playing in NCAA March Madness
The NCAA men’s basketball tournament tips off this week across the nation. The field of 68 includes two teams from the state of Illinois: the University of Illinois and Northwestern University, both of the Big Ten Conference.
But what about those athletes who list hometowns from Illinois? We have you covered.
Below are the at least 37 NCAA Tournament players who are from Illinois and who their teams play in the first round. The players are separated by conference starting with the Big Ten and the Missouri Valley, followed by other major conferences and mid-majors.
Big Ten Conference
● Justin Harmon, Illinois: 6-4 senior guard from Chicago Curie. First round vs. Morehead State
● AJ Redd, Illinois: 6-3 sophomore guard from Chicago St. Ignatius. First round vs. Morehead State
● Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois: 6-6 senior guard from Chicago Lincoln Park. First round vs. Morehead State
● Max Williams, Illinois: 6-2 senior guard from Chicago Latin. First round vs. Morehead State
● Malik Hall, Michigan State: 6-8 senior forward from Aurora Matea Valley. First round vs. Mississippi State
● Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State: 6-2 freshman guard from Joliet West. First round vs. Mississippi State
● Lance Jones, Purdue: 6-1 senior guard from Evanston. First round vs. First Four winner
● Chris Hodges, Wisconsin: 6-9 sophomore forward from Schaumburg. First round vs. James Madison
● AJ Storr, Wisconsin: 6-7 sophomore guard from Rockford played at Kankakee. First round vs. James Madison
● Nick Martinelli, Northwestern: 6-7 sophomore forward from Glenview Glenbrook South. First round vs. Florida Atlantic
● Justin Mullins, Northwestern: 6-6 sophomore guard from Oak Park-River Forest. First round vs. Florida Atlantic
● Jeffrey Grace III, Nebraska: 6-3 sophomore guard from Elmhurst York. First round vs. Texas A&M
● Ahron Ulis, Nebraska: 6-3 junior guard from Chicago Heights Marian. First round vs. Texas A&M
Voting for Illinois Ms. Basketball is officially open.
The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association in partnership with the Chicago Tribune released its 10 finalists for the annual girls high school basketball award. The top prep girls player has been named since 1986 with Limestone’s Tammy Van Oppen (1992) being the lone winner from the Peoria area.
Here are the 10 girls nominees — listed alphabetically — that high school coaches and media members can vote for until March 22. Boys nominees were released March 18 with votes accepted through March 29.
Brooke Carlson, Batavia
The Colorado State commit averaged 22.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.9 steals in guiding the Bulldogs (29-6) to the Class 4A Elite Eight. She ended her career as Batavia’s all-time leading scorer (2,225 points) and was a two-time IBCA first-team all-stater.
Amayah Doyle, Carterville
The Tennessee softball recruit averaged 25.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.1 assists to lead the Lions (25-7) to a Class 2A regional final. Doyle, a senior, is a three-time IBCA first-team all-stater, becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer with over 2,300 points.
Kloe Froebe, Lincoln
The Colorado State recruit averaged 29.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.2 steals and 4.8 assists as Lincoln (38-0) won the Class 3A state championship. Froebe is a three-time IBCA first-team all-stater, ending her four varsity seasons as the state’s fifth all-time scoring leader with 3,262 points.
Aubrey Galvan, Wilmette Loyola Academy
The junior Division-I prospect averaged 16 points, 3.4 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 steals as the Ramblers (38-0) went undefeated in claiming the Class 4A state title. She was a first-team IBCA allstater in 2024, having scored over 1,300 career points in three seasons.
Aaliyah Guyton, Peoria High
The Iowa signee averaged 27.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.3 steals before her season ended in December with a torn ACL. Guyton is a three-time IBCA all-stater and the 2023 Journal Star girls basketball player of the year, while being the 58th-ranked player in the class of 2024 by ESPN.
Amiah Hargrove, Christopher
The Nebraska recruit averaged 28.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.9 assists as the Bearcats (17-15) were a Class 1A regional finalist. Hargrove is a three-time IBCA all-state selection, being named the Black Diamond Conference most valuable player for three successive seasons.
Alayna Kraus, Okawville
The senior Division-I prospect averaged 22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists in leading the Rockets (25-11) to back-to-back Class 1A state championships. She was a three-time IBCA all-stater along with being named first-team all-state by the Illinois Media.
Grace Nelson, Altamont
The Illinois State commit averaged 30.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 2.9 assists for the Indians (28-7) for the Class 1A third-place finishers. Nelson was a three-time IBCA all-state firstteam pick, scoring over 2,000 career points in four varsity seasons.
Ella Todd, Palatine Fremd
The Utah signee averaged 16.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals for the Vikings (30-7) for the Class 4A fourth-place finishers. Todd was an IBCA all-state selection in 2024 as well as being named Mid-Suburban League Conference co-player of the year.
Xamiya Walton, Chicago Butler College Prep
The Northwestern commit averaged 21.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 4.9 steals for the Lynx (23-11), who were a Class 3A sectional finalist. Walton is a three-time IBCA all-state selection with being the 52nd ranked player in the class of 2024 by ESPN.