25 Best Prospects from Small Schools

Who are the 25 best prospects from small schools in the state of Illinois?  For this we took the enrollment numbers from the IHSA and looked at the best prospects from schools with under 650 kids enrolled.  They are listed from smallest school to largest!

Blake Herren Blake Herren 6'9" | C Dongola | 2024 State IL (Dongola – 2024)

Ironic that Herren comes from the smallest school considering he might be the tallest player on this list.  The southern Illinois post is a big man that rebounds in his area and can finish well around the hoop.  Coordination has gotten better over the years.

Jaali Love Jaali Love 6'7" | PF Waukegan | 2026 State IL (Manley – 2026)

Love is a top 10 sophomore that had a great summer with Team Rose on the circuit.  Bouncy four man that is quick to the glass, impacts defensively with his shot blocking, and is a plus athlete with emerging skill.

Gage Peterson Gage Peterson 6'6" | SF Waltonville | 2026 State IL (Waltonville – 2026)

Peterson is a southern Illinois sophomore that put up big numbers as a freshman displaying inside/outside scoring at 6’5”.  Three level scorer that does everything with a crispness and fluidity to his game.

Ryan Browder Ryan Browder 6'2" | SG Earlville | 2024 State IL (Earlville – 2024)

Every time we saw Browder over the summer he brought it.  Small school gem that can really score it from all three levels with solid athleticism and a good frame.

Jayden Riley Jayden Riley 6'1" | PG Yorkville Christian | 2026 State IL (Yorkville Christian – 2026)

Riley is one of the best passers in the 2026 class.  He made the move over to Yorkville Christian for his sophomore season.  Love his vision and feel for the game as a floor general while his jumper showed strides this fall.

Aidan Anderson Aidan Anderson 6'9" | C Okawville | 2025 State IL (Okawville – 2024)

Anderson is a back to the basket five man that is at his best when anchoring down low garnering deep post position for buckets in the paint

Hank Alvey Hank Alvey 6'9" | C Illini Bluffs | 2024 State IL (Illini Bluffs – 2024)

Alvey is a prospect we haven’t seen, but will sign with Lehigh this month.  The 6’9” five man is a man of mystery that we are looking forward to evaluating!

Dierre Hill Dierre Hill 6'0" | SG Belleville Althoff | 2025 State IL Jr (Belleville Althoff – 2025)

Hill might be the #1 football prospect in the state’s junior class, but don’t discount what he can do as a hoops prospect.  He is an absolute force on the defensive end getting after it along with being a plus spot up shooter.

Colin Hayes Colin Hayes 6'6" | PF Bloomington Central Catholic | 2024 State IL (Bloomington Central Catholic – 2024)

Hayes was the athletic role guy for BCC a year ago.  With Certa gone it is now his time to step up and take on a larger role.  He has the athleticism and size to be a small school force.

Mitchel Edwards Mitchel Edwards 6'6" | PF Carmi | 2025 State IL (Carmi – 2025)

Edwards is a pick and pop four that can stretch with his shooting, but is also a good athlete that can hammer it on your head.  Continues to get better each time out.

Jonah Funk Jonah Funk 6'9" | C Metamora | 2025 State IL (El Paso Gridley – 2025)

Funk is a PHI favorite from what he has done at the Top 250 Camps and what we saw a year ago as a sophomore.  Skilled five that can stretch with his shooting, is an elite rim protector, and brings athleticism up front.  D1 prospect for sure.

Lucas Collison Lucas Collison 5'11" | PG Mercer County | 2024 State IL (Mercer County – 2024)

This 5’11” guard broke out with Archangels over the summer.  He has a creative handle and a crafty finishing game around the basket.

Trevian Shatteen Trevian Shatteen 6'5" | PF Julian | 2024 State IL (Julian – 2024)

Shatteen is one of a number of Julian prospects that could have been on this list.  Tough and physical post that gets the job done around the hoop and on the glass.

Thon Bill (Timothy Christian -2024)

Bill has been on our radar for several years now.  Long and athletic five who is best as a defender swatting shots, switching in space, and rebounding on the defensive end.  Offensively look for him to be a lob threat or finish out of the dunker spot.

AJ Keith AJ Keith 6'4" | SG Pinckneyville | 2025 State IL (Pinckneyville – 2025)

Keith put his name on our radar with a strong showing in their shootout and then again this fall at the Pure Sweat Camp.  Plus athlete at the two guard spot that can score from multiple levels.

Ty Laur Ty Laur 6'8" | C Pinckneyville | 2026 State IL (Pinckneyville – 2026)

Laur is an emerging sophomore post to track.  He is 6’5” now with a frame that screams he will continue to grow.  Flashes footwork and touch around the hoop along with potential as a passer.

Ryan Mbounbou Ryan Mbounbou 6'2" | SG Latin | 2024 State IL (Latin – 2024)

Plus athlete on the wing that is at his best in the up and down setting.  Gets to the rim off the bounce and in transition!

Marty Dempsey Marty Dempsey 6'2" | SG Taft | 2025 State IL (Michelle Clark – 2025)

Dempsey is a two guard that transferred into Clark.  He plays with a ton of swagger and has the game to match with his shot making on the perimeter.

Docker Tedeschi Docker Tedeschi 6'9" | PF Benton | 2025 State IL (Benton – 2025)

One of the better southern Illinois post prospects.  Tedeschi can block shots with anyone in his class and is an explosive finisher out of the dunker spot.  Can shoot it well out to three.  Staying healthy will be the biggest key for him.

Amari Edwards Amari Edwards 5'8" | PG Kenwood | 2025 State IL (Phillips – 2025)

Edwards was part of the mass exodus from St. Rita and landed at Phillips.  The smaller scoring point guard can put up points in a hurry with deep range on his three point shot and shifty handles.  Phillips is a team to watch this year!

Eoin Dillon Eoin Dillon 6'8" | C Peoria Notre Dame | 2024 State #294 Nation IL (Peoria Notre Dame – 2024)

Dillon is primed to make a move into the top 10 overall in the class with a strong senior year.  The Belmont commit is a versatile defender, stretch five as a shooter, and good athlete.  A lot to like here!

Dietrich Richardson Dietrich Richardson 6'6" | PG Peoria Manual | 2025 State #177 Nation IL (Peoria Manual – 2025)

Richardson is trending the right way heading into his junior year.  The athletic combo guard has created a lot of buzz with his play as a 6’6” guard that can do a little bit of everything.  Primed to be a breakout player this year.

Sam Donald Sam Donald 6'8" | PF Columbia | 2025 State IL (Columbia – 2025)

Stretch four man that showed well when we recently saw him at the Pure Sweat Camp.  Feathery stroke from the perimeter, can deck it, and had some more defensive instincts than we had previously seen.

Mason Shubert Mason Shubert 6'2" | SG Breese Central | 2024 State IL (Breese Central – 2024)

Shubert is among the better unsigned seniors in the 618.  The small college gem is precise with everything he does being able to put it on the deck and is very underrated as a shooter.

Aiden Hinton Aiden Hinton 6'4" | SF Carterville | 2024 State IL (Carterville – 2024)

Hinton was one of my favorites from the summer with the Illinois Bears .  Strong and physical small forward that greatly improved as a shooter.  Unfortunately will miss his senior year due to an injury suffered during football season.