X-Factors: 2025s That Can Elevate Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These 2025 prospects are x-factors we believe that how well they play and if they elevate their performance can significantly make a difference in their team's chances of making noise in March!&nbsp; They might not be the #1 option, but how well they play gives their team a higher ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jonas Johnson (DePaul Prep – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Skilled face up four man that can stretch the floor was out all summer, but has shown flashes enough where he could be a star for DePaul Prep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zion Gross (Joliet West – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While McNair and King will get the attention as seniors it is Gross that has the upside to take his team to another level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dalton Scantlebury (Lane Tech – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scantlebury was MIA in June.&nbsp; We really liked what we saw out of him last season as a floor spacing big man and can take scoring pressure off Solebo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayden Tyler (Homewood Flossmoor – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyler created quite a buzz during the spring and summer as a dynamo scoring option from his lead guard spot.&nbsp; On a stacked HF team that will not be hurting for points how will he fit in?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Caleb Lindsey (St. Laurence – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long and rangy small forward that can play some small ball four.&nbsp; Plus defender that will be the player that can elevate his team to title status.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Arlandis Brown (East St. Louis – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown is a lengthy two way wing with a feathery touch and defensive upside.&nbsp; This is the kind of prospect that always seems to emerge for the Flyers!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Savion Mitchell (Belleville East – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mitchell broke out in June as a low post scorer, rebounder, and defender.&nbsp; With a team that has a lot of quality perimeter players he could be the guy that helps them make a run at ESL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Atticus Richmond (Stevenson – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richmond was a huge addition to Stevenson.&nbsp; Fit right in during June with his skilled inside/outside game and rebounding.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Damajay Richardson (Whitney Young – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tough and hard nosed guard that attacks downhill and defends.&nbsp; He is the guy that you don't have to run plays for but will always produce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Achillies Anderson (Marist – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Skilled small forward with a strong bodied frame.&nbsp; Like how he impacts the game across the board stuffing the stat sheet for a team that is loaded in the younger classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blake Fagbemi (Benet – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He will eventually take over the reigns of the point from his brother who led them to a state title game.&nbsp; Seems to have the poise and feel to do it early as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2815595' first='Nevaeh' last='Hawkins'] (St. Patrick – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long and athletic wing that we have just been waiting on to break out.&nbsp; This could be the year and if he does watch out for St. Pats!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->