When Sides Collide: Top Unsigned Seniors

This past weekend we witnessed maybe the best shootout we’ve had in the Chicagoland area from start to finish in a long time. In this article we highlight the unsigned seniors from this year’s When Sides Collide. 

Tsvet Sotirov Tsvet Sotirov 6'7" | PF Rolling Meadows | 2023 State IL   – Rolling Meadows 6’7 

Sotirov played well hitting a pair of threes and scoring two buckets off slip screens to the rim. Tsvet is one of the better shooters at his size that’s still open in the state. He finished with 10 points.

Mark Nikolich-Wilson Mark Nikolich-Wilson 6'7" | C Rolling Meadows | 2023 State IL – Rolling Meadows 6’7

Big Mark is always a treat to watch and against Brother Rice he notched another double double scoring in the paint with solid footwork and soft hands around the rim. Nikolich-Wilson rebounded the ball well on both sides pulling in 10 boards. Most of those he dished back out to teammates for shots.  Mark finished with 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists.  

Foster Ogbonna Foster Ogbonna 6'5" | PF Rolling Meadows | 2023 State IL – Rolling Meadows 6’5

Ogbonna is an energy forward who can play inside and outside. He does a lot of the dirty work for Rolling Meadows and Saturday he made a couple of threes along with battling on the offensive boards. Foster had 8 points and 4 rebounds.

Khalil Ross Khalil Ross 6'6" | SF Brother Rice | 2023 State IL – Brother Rice 6’7

Ross started off very aggressive attacking the rim on straight lined moves that became dunks and layups. He used his length very well to disrupt passes and shots.  He finished with 8 points.

Nick Niego Nick Niego 6'2" | SG Brother Rice | 2023 State IL   – Brother Rice 

Niego came off the bench red hot hitting his first three shots from 3. He came in and was the perfect glue guy for Brother Rice. Niego did a good job at being in Ahmad Henderson Ahmad Henderson 5'10" | PG Brother Rice | 2023 State #291 Nation IL ‘s sight for open shots. Nick finished with 12 points on 4-6 from three. 

Daniel Johnson Daniel Johnson 6'6" | SF Whitney Young | 2023 State #231 Nation IL   – Whitney Young 6’7 

Johnson had a slow start but picked it up in the second half. He scored by getting out in transition and hitting jump shots. Daniel scored 8 points in the third quarter to keep the Dolphins close with Joliet West.  He finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds. 

Jalen Griffith Jalen Griffith 5'10" | PG Simeon | 2023 State IL – Simeon 5’10 

As the top uncommitted guard in the class Jalen went toe to toe with Iowa commit Brock Harding Brock Harding 6'0" | PG Moline | 2023 State #222 Nation IL . Griffith started out as a facilitator but as the game became more competitive he also looked for his own shot. He scores well off floaters and mid-range pull ups. Jalen always seems to keep his composure in high-level games. He ended with 16 points and 3 steals

Steve Turner Steve Turner 6'8" | C Simeon | 2023 State IL – Simeon 6’9 

The big man came off the bench with both Rubins in foul trouble.  Steve scored in the post off missed shots and two hook shots. Turner is big body who can move and does a good job at rebounding outside his area. Steve had 6 points and 4 offensive boards. 

Brady Kunka Brady Kunka 6'3" | SG Benet | 2023 State IL – Benet 6’3 

Brady played the best among the unsigned seniors in the event. He scored 26 points hitting 5 threes against the zone. The rest of his points came from finding open spots behind the Kenwood defense to score layups. Kunka was unconscious in the upset win over the top ranked Broncos. 

Tyler Smith Tyler Smith 6'2" | SG Wheaton Academy | 2025 IL – Kenwood 6’1

Smith is slick guard that got some points down the stretch of the game while trying to make a comeback. Tyler is an electric scoring guard that can score points in bunches. 

Solomon Mosley Solomon Mosley 6'8" | C Kenwood | 2023 State IL – Kenwood 6’8

The Kenwood big man provided a lift in the paint as he grabbed boards and scored on a mid-range pull up. He should be targeted by many small schools.