Expect these players to blossom in 2017- 18
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There are always new players set to raise their level of play in high school basketball.
Here are seven players who, through their productivity last season and their strong play on the club circuit this spring, are ready to take a big step forward.
Quinlan Bennett, Proviso East
Bennett’s production last season ( 14 points, five rebounds, three assists per game) went largely unnoticed because of Proviso East’s uncharacteristic 15- 13 record, but the 6- 2 junior point guard is only getting better. He plays well in isolation, thrives in transition and will be the next Division I player out of this perennial basketball power.
Branden Ellis, Warren
A broken finger slowed Ellis at the start of his junior season, but he became a major weapon for Warren in the second half. The 6- 3 shooting guard has continued to make strides this spring, but he remains one of the unsung players in the area. He is set to be one of the breakout players in the Class of 2018.
Ryan Davis, Conant
Davis has been a fixture for three years at the varsity level but became a known commodity after a junior season in which he averaged 14.5 points and 9.5 rebounds. After playing second fiddle to senior star Jimmy Sotos last season, look for the 6- 8 Davis to emerge as one of the true difference- makers in the state in 2017- 18.
Morgan Taylor, Marist
Teammate Maurice Commander was the East Suburban Catholic Conference’s player of the year last season, but it’s time to sing Taylor’s praises. The 6- 2 junior is a jack- of- all- trades guard who fills the stat sheet and has shown consistent improvement in the last two years.
Zach Toussaint, Johnsburg
There aren’t many players in the state who shoot the ball better than Toussaint, who made 96 three- pointers as a sophomore last season. After putting together a monster season ( 22 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game) in 2016- 17, the 5- 10 guard is poised to become a bigger name as a junior.
Charles Hoehne, Oak Park
With Jared Scott and Cam Gross graduating from a team that won 24 games, expect Hoehne to emerge in 2017- 18. The 6- 6 sophomore is an overlooked and intriguing talent who plays with energy and effort. He has size, skill and an enormous upside.
Nate Ferguson, Lemont
The 6- 7 sophomore’s 16- point performance in the regional final last season against Bolingbrook was a sign of things to come. The up- and- coming Ferguson is a versatile offensive player who can exploit mismatches because of his ability to play inside and out.