Thanksgiving Week: Stock Boosters
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This past week I took in 17 games from across the state of Illinois. What prospects elevated their stock during the first week of the season? Here is Thanksgiving Week: Stock Boosters! Reggie Ray Reggie Ray 6'2" | PG St.…
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Continue ReadingThis past week I took in 17 games from across the state of Illinois. What prospects elevated their stock during the first week of the season? Here is Thanksgiving Week: Stock Boosters!
Reggie Ray Reggie Ray 6'2" | PG St. Ignatius | 2024 State IL (St. Ignatius – 2024)
It was a big week for Ray as he returned to the court after being out with an injury for the majority of the last year. Showed he could be a great second option for Ignatius as he used his burst to score at the cup while also hitting a couple of threes in a 21 point debut as a senior.
Tyler Smith Tyler Smith 6'2" | SG Wheaton Academy | 2025 State IL (Wheaton Academy – 2025)
Smith lit up the PHI Top 250s and continued with a 25 point junior debut. Athletic two guard that sliced up the defense off the bounce with tough finishes in the paint while using his creativity off the bounce.
Matthew Zobrist Matthew Zobrist 6'5" | SG Metamora | 2025 State IL (Metamora – 2025)
Zobrist was expected to take a big leap as a junior and he showcase that against Peoria Notre Dame where he scored 15 points. The lefty has gotten stronger which allowed him to defend at a higher level while also knocking in his forte spot up threes particularly from the corners. Showed some athleticism off the bounce on several nifty finishes.
Luke Hopp Luke Hopp 6'8" | C Metamora | 2024 State IL (Metamora – 2024)
Hopp has emerged as a legit D2 big man that knows how to play his role. Does the dirty work on the boards high pointing them in traffic and scoring when opportunities present themselves in the paint.
Oliver Gray Oliver Gray 6'3" | SF Barrington | 2026 State IL (Barrington – 2026)
Gray dropped 32 points in a win. Elite shot maker that drained four of them in the first half. The wiry guard is a solid athlete that can handle it a bit too as he went to work off the bounce in the second half.
Lincoln Williams Lincoln Williams 6'5" | SF Kankakee | 2026 State IL (Kankakee – 2026)
Williams struggled early, but got it going once he got in the middle of the Christ The King zone where he utilized his quickness to score on short jumpers, quick moves to the rim, and finishing dump offs. Also is a high level perimeter defender that gets steals with his length and anticipation.
Jake Pollack Jake Pollack 6'8" | PF Deerfield | 2026 State IL (Deerfield – 2026)
The sophomore post dropped 18 points in a win against Mundelein. It was his spot up three ball that was falling early as he got a couple of them to fall then hit a third off a dribble hand off. Couple quick moves out of the post for buckets and pounded the offensive glass. Solid area rebounder.
Terrence Smith Terrence Smith 6'5" | SF West Aurora | 2025 State #299 Nation IL (West Aurora – 2025)
Smith is a top 10 prospect already in 2025, but he looked like a guy that should be potentially even considered higher. The dual sport star is a freak show athlete that can score off the bounce on sweeping layups, big dunks and the jumper is becoming a consistent weapon. Elite perimeter defender that gets steals and can block shots inside. He had 22 points against Hinsdale Central.
Yaris Irby Yaris Irby 5'10" | PG Niles North | 2025 State IL (Niles North – 2025)
Irby was phenomenal against Lane Tech. The junior lefty is a quick and shifty scoring lead guard who is known mostly for his handles, but it was his three point shot that was on fire in this one making six of them as they kept laying off him and he kept making Lane Tech pay. Used his speed in the open floor and was about as good of a passer as we had seen him while still scoring 28 points.
Shaheed Solebo Shaheed Solebo 6'4" | SF Lane Tech | 2024 State IL (Lane Tech – 2024)
Solebo is one of the better wings remaining on the board in the senior class. Lefty is a pure scorer that makes it look easy. He did just that against Niles North dropping a cool 23 points with a variety of slick takes off the bounce along with multiple threes. Low-majors that need a versatile scorer this is your guy!
Rocco Pagliocca Rocco Pagliocca 6'1" | PG Stevenson | 2026 State IL (Stevenson – 2026)
This is an intriguing lead guard in the 2026 class. High IQ guard that is creative with the rock in his hands with a crisp passing feel. Against Glenbrook South he had to carry them as he drained three from distance while mixing in a nice soft touch finishing game for 15 points.
Nick Taylor Nick Taylor 6'6" | PF Glenbrook South | 2024 State IL (Glenbrook South – 2024)
A lot of buzz right now with Taylor at the low-major and D2 level for teams looking for big men. Can see why in a 18 point outing against Stevenson where he showed pop finishing at the rim and was absolutely dominant on the glass!
Kyle Waltz Kyle Waltz 6'7" | SG York | 2024 State IL (York – 2024)
Liked what we saw out of Waltz for York as the wing with size was able to consistently put it on the deck particularly on the baseline for scores, crash the glass, and hit a corner three going for 13 points against Palatine.
Chase Abraham Chase Abraham 6'0" | SG Thornton | 2024 State IL (Thornton – 2024)
In probably the best game of the week it was Abraham who starred. The senior guard dropped 23 points scoring from all three levels while getting to the line at a super high rate where he didn’t miss. With all the stars on Thornton when his team needed a play made against Richwoods it was Abraham that did it.
Tavie Smith Tavie Smith 6'1" | PG Peoria Richwoods | 2024 State IL (Peoria Richwoods – 2024)
Smith is a shifty ball handler that is a blur with the rock in his hands. He blew by defenders consistently against a really good Thornton team. Slick with the rock making difficult layups. Did most of his damage in a 19 point outing in the paint, but also hit a couple jumpers. D2s should monitor while JUCOs and small colleges should be banging down his door!