Sophomores are ahead of the class
Last year the Class of 2016 in Illinois was pretty fruitless. It had a less- than- normal number of Division I players, just one prospect ranked nationally among the top 100 and didn’t produce aMcDonald’s All- American.
This year’s senior class is good, not great, while the Class of 2018 is another group lacking high- major talent.
The good news? After several freshmen made an impact last winter and built on that in the spring and summer, the Class of 2019 boasts more promise than the class ahead of it and the one that just graduated.
Throw in some intriguing incoming freshmen, and there is some talent coming through the pipeline.
Best sophomore prospect: FrancisOkoro, Normal
At 6- 10, Okoro opened a lot of eyes in the spring and summer. He’s big and strong and plays with a high motor. With his size and potential, he’s a top- 25 player for whom highmajor coaches will be going wild.
Most productive sophomore prospect: E. J. Liddell, BellevilleWest
There’s no debate Liddell, a big- bodied 6- 7 forward, was the most productive freshman last year.
Liddell, who has offers from DePaul and Illinois, averaged 17.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He blocked 56 shots, knocked down 20 three- pointers and had games of 32, 30, 29 and 22 points last season.
Best freshman prospect: Adam Miller, PeoriaManual
The City/ Suburban Hoops Report’s No. 1 freshman prospect in the state is expected to become the face of the famed Manual program.
The 6- 1 guard is a special talent and already has a natural and polished game for such a young player.
Best young committed prospect: Markese Jacobs, Uplift
The athletic point guard, who committed to Kansas earlier this month, will be one of the more difficult players to guard. The sophomore averaged 15 points last season.
Best Chicago- area prospect: Perry Cowan, DePaul College Prep
After Okoro, Cowan is the No. 2 prospect on the City/ Suburban Hoops Report.
The versatile shooting guard is capable of affecting the game in a number of ways after averaging 13 points, seven rebounds and two steals a game as a freshman.
Most underrated young prospect: Ciaran Brayboy, New Trier
Right now he might be the most anonymous top prospect in the sophomore class. The City/ Suburban Hoops Report’s top- five prospect is a 6- 9 presence on the glass and defensively while playing with an edge and a high motor.
Talented unknown young prospect: Evan Taylor, GlenbardWest
In basketball terms, he’s just a fawn. The slender but long and rangy 6- 5 sophomore didn’t contribute at the varsity level a year ago, but Taylor’s game is smooth and his progression is just beginning.