3 on 3 Questions: Examining 2024 Rankings
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In our new series 3 on 3 Questions PHI’s Scott Burgess, Steve Parham, and Teddy Bahu examine three questions each that are relevant to what is going on in Illinois high school basketball! Today we focus on the latest 2024…
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Continue ReadingIn our new series 3 on 3 Questions PHI’s Scott Burgess, Steve Parham, and Teddy Bahu examine three questions each that are relevant to what is going on in Illinois high school basketball! Today we focus on the latest 2024 Rankings!
Who is a player at each position (PG, Wing, Post) that you really advocated for in this last rankings process to make a jump up the board?
Scott
At the point I would start at the top with Dekwon Brown Dekwon Brown 6'4" | PG Simeon | 2024 #273 Nation IL . The new Simeon lead guard is a bucket getter that consistently showed up during June with his new high school team. Also Camden Cerese Camden Cerese 6'2" | PG Lake Park | 2024 State IL of Lake Park is someone I have really pushed for as he is a playmaker that can really shoot it while playing on the ball. At the wing the M14 duo of Treshawn Blissett Treshawn Blissett 6'5" | SF Waubonsie Valley | 2024 State IL (Waubonsie Valley) and Will Ashford Will Ashford 6'5" | SF Metea Valley | 2024 State IL (Metea Valley) both impressed all spring and summer pushing themselves into solid D2 prospects in my eyes. Jaylan McElroy Jaylan McElroy 6'7" | PF DePaul Prep | 2024 State #262 Nation IL from DePaul Prep showed me a lot in June with his versatility on both ends moving into the top 10. Down the board I really like De La Salle four man Alioune Mbaye Alioune Mbaye 6'7" | PF De La Salle | 2024 State IL with how productive he is on both ends of the floor.
Steve
Guard –
Je’Shawn Stevenson
Je’Shawn
Stevenson
6'3" | SG
Lindblom | 2024
State
IL
(Linbloom) has been slept on for 3 years and even after a successful EYBL sumner some schools still don’t know the trajectory this kid is on. A do-it type of player he is explosive in the lane with space. Against set defenses, he can make shots as well. Stevenson should have a terrific season in what is considered a down year for CPS.
Wing –
Will Ashford
Will
Ashford
6'5" | SF
Metea Valley | 2024
State
IL
(Metea Valley) has been a player that I felt was very consistent in June and is sure to have a big senior campaign. It’s not every day that you see a 6’6 athlete who plays hard, shoots the ball consistently from 3, and crashes the boards a power forward. Will does all of these things and still goes under the radar. With help from 2025
Jake Nosek
Jake
Nosek
6'8" | C
Metea Valley | 2025
State
#377
Nation
IL
things should open up more for Ashford on the offensive side and then we will see his number rise.
Post –
Alioune Mbaye
Alioune
Mbaye
6'7" | PF
De La Salle | 2024
State
IL
(De La Salle) is a player that has the size and skill to jump up a few spots with some consistent play. Mbaye is a fundamentally sound post player who has good touch around the rim and can step out and knock jump shots from 15 feet and beyond. On defense he moves his feet well on hedge plays and does a great job at rebounding and blocking shots. He has all the tools college coaches look for in prototypical bigs, with a successful senior season he can potentially crack the top 30 players.
Teddy
PG:
Cale Cosme
Cale
Cosme
5'7" | PG
Brother Rice | 2024
State
IL
– Don’t let the height fool you.
Cale Cosme
Cale
Cosme
5'7" | PG
Brother Rice | 2024
State
IL
is a legit college level prospect who makes a big impact on the floor. Cosme is an efficient scorer and ball-handler who can blow by you in an instant. College coaches have begun to take notice too, as Cosme recently picked up an D2 offer from Lewis.
Wing:
Angelo Ciaravino
Angelo
Ciaravino
6'6" | SF
Mt. Carmel | 2024
State
#160
Nation
IL
– Ciaravino improved in so many ways this summer, leaving no doubt towards moving him into the top 5. The strength and athleticism he added to go along with a solid 6’7″ frame were crucial towards boosting his stock. More importantly, he took advantage of those new physical attributes and displayed so much skill on the floor. His efficiency on both ends allowed him to pick up numerous high-major offers this summer
Post:
Davis Bynum
Davis
Bynum
6'7" | PF
East St. Louis | 2024
State
IL
– I really like his size and length at 6’8″. I’m also a fan of his ability to as both a post or a wing. He’s got a really smooth jumper in his game along with efficient footwork all over the floor. His lengthy wingspan also allows Bynum to frustrate opponents defensively and make plenty of contributions on the glass. Bynum will have a larger role at East St. Louis this season.
Which prospect or two do you feel is primed to make a major leap this season and could shoot up the rankings in our next update?
Scott
Eoin Dillon Eoin Dillon 6'8" | C Peoria Notre Dame | 2024 State #294 Nation IL from Peoria Notre Dame is a big man I am really excited to see where his game trends. He has all the physical tools and with his shot making he could emerge as one of the top posts in loaded big man class. Davis Bynum Davis Bynum 6'7" | PF East St. Louis | 2024 State IL out of East St. Louis is going to create a lot of buzz in the metro east as a skilled forward with good projectables and plus athleticism. Noah Cleveland Noah Cleveland 6'8" | C Normal Community | 2024 State IL from Normal Community could very well fly right into the top 15 with a fast start to the season. Didn’t play high school ball last season or AAU. He has the look of a D1 big man from what we saw in June.
Steve
Eion Dillon (Peoria Notre Dame) maybe one of the biggest leapers from central IL. With the #2 prospect leaving for Metamora. Dillon becomes the number top threat and he should be primed and ready for a big season. Eion has molded himself into a stretch forward who has grown into his frame which makes his mobility easier to move. At 6’8 Dillon is a dependable threat on the perimeter to make shots but I feel is more dangerous when attacking off the dribble and dunking on guys. He’s a D1 college prospect with good touch and feel around the rim. I expect to read about him getting double-doubles on a nightly basis.
Teddy
Malachi Johnson Malachi Johnson 6'2" | SG Rockford Guilford | 2024 State IL – Malachi had an awesome spring and summer for both Guilford and Greater Purpose. He will enter his fourth year on Guilford’s varsity squad and will be the leader of a squad looking to win the NIC-10 this upcoming season. Johnson really stood out for not just his consistent scoring abilities, but his ability to make everyone around him better. An unselfish guard, Johnson also makes an impact defensively with quick footwork and hand mobility to go along with great body positioning. If I had to bet on who would win MVP in the NIC-10 this season, it would be Malachi Johnson Malachi Johnson 6'2" | SG Rockford Guilford | 2024 State IL .
Who is the player or players you are most looking forward to getting further evals on this fall/early high school season in this class?
Scott
Definitely want to see where Kenwood’s Calvin Robins Jr Calvin Robins Jr 6'5" | PF Kenwood | 2024 State IL is after his injury. The high-motor power forward relies so much on his athleticism and instincts on the glass. He was held him out over the summer with an injury. Tavariyuan Williams Tavariyuan Williams 6'6" | SF De La Salle | 2024 State IL of De La Salle showed flashes of brilliance in June. Want to see if that continues because the physical tools are all there. Quincy wing Camden Brown Camden Brown 6'5" | SF Quincy | 2024 State IL is one we haven’t seen since last March, but were extremely intrigued with his size, shot making, and versatility.
Steve
Calvin Robbins Jr.- Kenwood before missing out on all of AAU from leg injury Calvin was primed to have a big Spring / Summer. The human pogo stick has returned from his injury and I am ready to see if he can return back to his explosive form!
Teddy
Jakob Blakley Jakob Blakley 6'1" | PG Walter Payton | 2024 State IL – I saw Blakley put on quite the show for Larkin during the June live periods. He’s a high-volume scorer with countless hot zones. The new Walter Payton guard can score in a variety of ways too. He was super efficient off the dribble while also working well off the catch-and-shoot. He hit countless contested jumpers in addition to all of that. With Larking being relatively close to Beloit, I hope to catch Blakley once or twice. I want to also see how Blakely progresses in there other aspects of his game. I see plenty of potential in blackly to become a really good passer and defender.