2025 Prospects Not Talked About Enough

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this series we are going to look at a group of prospects in the state that are ranked, but not talked about quite enough heading into the season.&nbsp; Here are the <strong>2025 Prospects Not Talked About Enough!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545125' first='Dominique' last='Clay'] (Quincy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clay is primed for a big season.&nbsp; We have been a fan of this rangy small forward for a while with his feathery shooting stroke and ability to defend multiple positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105169' first='Arden' last='Eaves'] (Thornwood)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eaves is a strong bodied combo forward that has skill to stretch the floor.&nbsp; Eaves is one of the prospects we are most looking forward to seeing this season with his versatile game on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1766471' first='Arlandis' last='Brown'] (East St. Louis)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown is the next in line of East St. Louis forwards that has D1 upside.&nbsp; Long and rangy prospect with all the projectable tools and a feathery jumper to match.&nbsp; Three and D potential now and long term!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1568153' first='Sam' last='Donald'] (Columbia)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Donald is among the top small school post players in the state with his ability to really shoot it from three, handle in the open floor, along with being a presence on the interior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105178' first='Dasean' last='Patton'] (Oswego)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Patton is primed for a big season at Oswego.&nbsp; He is a wing that looks the part, wins on straight line takes, and is a sound three point shooter off the catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1385286' first='Derek' last='Bishop'] (Mundelein)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop was a bit hit or miss when we saw him as a sophomore.&nbsp; Saw some growth from him this summer. More of a scoring combo guard that can hit an open three and brings toughness and grit to the table.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1404855' first='Nathaniel' last='Smith'] (Belleville East)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith played up on the Illinois Orange 17U team over the summer and more than held his own.&nbsp; Wing that has the chance to be a good defender and secondary scorer.&nbsp; Like what he brings as a complimentary piece at the next level as he fits in well doing the little things.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598729' first='Jaylen' last='Ingram'] (Hillcrest)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ingram is a rangy power forward that is a defender and rebounder first and foremost.&nbsp; Raw offensively, but is a good finisher around the hoop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1766478' first='Achillies' last='Anderson'] (Marist)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson is the perfect glue guy for a Marist team that has a lot of young stars.&nbsp; Strong bodied combo forward that is skilled with the ability to impact on the perimeter and inside.&nbsp; Connector and intangible guy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1385310' first='Alexander' last='Vincent'] (OPRF)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vincent is huge.&nbsp; One of the larger centers in the state he rebounds well in his area and knows how to move bodies.&nbsp; Nice touch around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1766463' first='Alex' last='Stell'] (Waterloo)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stell is another big boy at the five spot.&nbsp; The southern Illinois post is nimble with his footwork around the hoop and can stretch a little.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2044507' first='Brent' last='Taylor'] (Lincoln Way East)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor is primed for a big season as the slender two guard is a legit three level scorer that has a feathery jumper from all over the floor and can impact defensively as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105200' first='Derrick' last='Dowdell'] (Curie)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong and physical wing that just gets stuff done.&nbsp; Dowdell attacks with force off the bounce getting downhill finishing through contact consistently while being a physical presence on the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105203' first='Kobe' last='Walker'] (Normal Community)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walker is a post that has a lot of intriguing tools heading into his junior campaign.&nbsp; Behind a couple of talented senior posts, but we think he will see significant minutes off the bench to be able to show what he is capable of.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1766469' first='Khalil' last='Jones'] (St. Laurence)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is the unsung junior of the St. Laurence group.&nbsp; The junior point guard is a floor general that plays with a lot of speed, tenacity, and intangibles at the lead guard spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105215' first='Ryder' last='Raya'] (Niles Notre Dame)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long and thin 6'3” two guard that broke out over the summer at Romeoville during the high school live period with his shot making from the perimeter.&nbsp; Such a free and easy three point shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545134' first='Jack' last='Duffer'] (Rolling Meadows)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Duffer is a lefty point guard that has a plus shot from three.&nbsp; He is a good spot up shooter that will be tasked with running the team this year for the Mustangs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1838836' first='Jayden' last='McCoo'] (Mascoutah)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCoo is a long and rangy point guard that is impactful with how well he defends and can slice through defenses getting in the mid-range for pull ups or to the rack for acrobatic finishes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105219' first='Jacori' last='Brown'] (Belleville East)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Skilled two guard with strength that can easily take a bump at the rack or stop and pop from 15-18 feet with his jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1766474' first='Braxdon' last='Decker'] (Highland)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dual sport standout that shines with his athleticism off the bounce and makes key plays in clutch time!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->