Top 2024 Posts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHI has unveiled the latest addition of the 2024 rankings!&nbsp; You can read all about the junior class this week on PHI!&nbsp; <em>Don't have a subscription?&nbsp; Try it out at a special discounted rate of 30% by using code “Scottburgess30”.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out the best big men in the Illinois junior class!&nbsp; This is without question the strength of the 2024 class in Illinois.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157230' first='Morez' last='Johnson'] (St. Rita)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Current Ranking: #1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson jumped his high school and travel teammate for the top spot in our latest update.&nbsp; The Illini commit is a post that plays with an elite motor.&nbsp; He has brought it every game for the Mustangs.&nbsp; High level rebounder that snatches them in traffic with two hands.&nbsp; Good defender that blocks shots with force and can switch on the perimeter.&nbsp; On the offensive end he is an explosive finisher out of the dunker spot, has a nice spin move, and is solid from 15 feet with a jumper.&nbsp; He has a lot of upside given his athleticism, work ethic to be great, and improved offensive game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157228' first='James' last='Brown'] (St. Rita)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Current Ranking: #2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The recent North Carolina commit is one of the best five men prospects in the Midwest.&nbsp; Brown is a very good area rebounder that controls the glass and has been good on the offensive boards throughout the year.&nbsp; Strong five has skill around the hoop especially with his sweeping scores from the short post or go to spin move.&nbsp; He can push off the break on his own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157231' first='Cooper' last='Koch'] (Peoria Notre Dame)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Current Ranking: #5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Koch is the third elite post that has made a college decision already as he is headed to Iowa.&nbsp; The PND four man is a new age power forward with his ability to stretch the floor with consistency.&nbsp; Pick and pop threat that shoots it extremely well off the catch.&nbsp; Koch is efficient and effective scoring around the hoop with his combination of footwork and touch.&nbsp; Solid area rebounder that seems to grab double digit boards each game we see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285496' first='Jason' last='Jakstys'] (Yorkville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Current Ranking: #6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top uncommitted big man in the senior class is one that is starting to gain steam among mid-majors and high-majors.&nbsp; Projectable 6'10” center that is so fluid for his size.&nbsp; Rim runner, lob threat, can knock down pick/pop shots, and has an array of moves on the block.&nbsp; That isn't even what he is best at!&nbsp; Defensively he is a big time shot blocking presence that covers so much ground with his length and anticipation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157233' first='Jaheem' last='Webber'] (Normal Community)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Current Ranking: #7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Webber is a wide bodied five that has slimmed down some which has helped his mobility as a junior.&nbsp; Old school power center that plays with his back to the basket garnering deep post position for scores on hook shots and seals.&nbsp; Terrific area rebounder that is a clogger on the defensive end taking up space in the lane and being a tough defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285487' first='Calvin' last='Robins Jr']. (Kenwood)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Current Ranking: #14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Robins Jr. is a bouncy four man that is a bit undersized, but has more than proved he is a legit D1 prospect.&nbsp; Elite level athlete that plays above the rim emphatically throwing down dunks in transition or out of the dunker spot.&nbsp; Also does it on the defensive end as a rim protector.&nbsp; High-motor four man that is starting to flash some skill which will take his stock to another level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157346' first='Jaden' last='Smith'] (Kenwood)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Current Ranking: #19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is one of the toughest evals in the class.&nbsp; The Kenwood center has all the physical tools you could ask for with his size, length, and mobility.&nbsp; He will flash every now and then as a shot blocker and post scorer, but isn't nearly consistent enough to bet on at this stage.&nbsp; He is still considered a D1 prospect because of his upside, but the next six months will be huge for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285519' first='Stefan' last='Cicic'] (Riverside Brookfield)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Current Ranking: #21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wide bodied five man that is one of the most intimidating forces in the state.&nbsp; Cicic is a man child against almost any defender trying to check him.&nbsp; He rebounds very well and is a good low post scorer that knows how to use his size to his advantage scoring on the block.&nbsp; His right handed hook shot is his go to move.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157352' first='Jaylan' last='McElroy'] (DePaul Prep)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Current Ranking: #26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McElroy has missed a large portion of the season due to injury.&nbsp; When on the floor there are so many things to like here.&nbsp; The athleticism plays well up front as he can really run the floor with the best of them.&nbsp; Has some touch around the hoop, rebounds well on both ends, and brings shot blocking defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->