No taking our eyes off these 10
With college decisions already made for a majority of the top seniors in the state, the focus turns to maximizing their final year of high school basketball.
There are conference championships and holiday tournament titles to be won in the regular season, and then, after that, the win-or-go-home state tournament in March.
Here are the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s top college prospects in the senior class — and the ones who’ll be headlining this upcoming season.
1. EJ Liddell, 6-7, PF, Belleville West
The state’s best and most dominating player looks to lead the Maroons to a second straight state championship. Liddell, one of the top 50 players in the country, has committed to Ohio State.
2. Markese Jacobs, 5-11, PG, Uplift
The DePaul recruit is capable of putting the Titans on his back and carrying them with his dynamic athleticism and game-changing ability. There may not be a more exciting player to watch in the senior class.
3. DaJuan Gordon, 6-4, 2G/WF, Curie
Everyone got a glimpse of what the budding star could do last season while putting up modest numbers. Now a year older and better, Gordon — a versatile scorer who’s committed to Kansas State — is poised for a breakout season.
4. Terrence Hargrove, 6-6, WF, East St. Louis
Big, long and athletic, Hargrove committed to Saint Louis after averaging 19 points and 9.6 rebounds as a junior.
5. Marquise Kennedy, 6-1, PG, Brother Rice
The fast, athletic guard put together a big junior year. But Kennedy, who was the biggest hit of the summer, could be dominant as a senior. He committed to Loyola last month.
6. Tom Welch, 6-7, PF, Naperville North
Welch is agile, athletic and as versatile as they come for a high school four-man. A recruiting gem for Loyola, he will have to do some heavy lifting this season for the Huskies.
7. Chris Payton, 6-7, PF, Bloomington
Blessed with a high-major body and athleticism, the talented and uncommitted Payton continues to battle consistency and focus issues. But expect a highly productive season.
8. Nate Ferguson, 6-7, PF, Lemont
The bouncy Drake recruit put together an under-the-radar junior season and then broke out in the spring and summer on the club circuit. Ferguson is active around the basket and can step out and face the basket.
9. RayJ Dennis, 6-2, PG/2G, Oswego East
There isn’t a player in this class who drew more Division I offers this past offseason than this smooth combo guard. Dennis, who’s headed to Boise State, averaged 17.2 points and 4.9 assists while knocking down 66 three-pointers last season.
10. Tujautae Williams, 6-5, PG/2G/WF, Orr
The late-blooming Williams is still mostly an unknown, but he has piqued the interest of college coaches with his length, athleticism and upside. With a bigger opportunity and more responsibility, look for Williams to make a significant jump this season.
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