Sectional Finals: 25 X-Factor Prospects
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The sectional finals are on Friday night in what might be the best night of hoops all year long! Here are some players that might not lead their teams in scoring, but will be critical in their team’s chances to…
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Continue ReadingThe sectional finals are on Friday night in what might be the best night of hoops all year long! Here are some players that might not lead their teams in scoring, but will be critical in their team’s chances to advance! Prep Hoops Illinois looks at our Sectional Finals: 25 X-Factor Prospects!
Braden Richardson Braden Richardson 6'4" | PF York | 2024 State IL (York)
Richardson is a tough and hard nosed post that rebounds and finishes when opportunities are presented to him.
KJ Cathey (Bolingbrook)
Cathey is the ultimate glue guy on a Bolingbrook team loaded with stars. Nose for the basketball and brings physicality as a guard in the paint.
Jake Riemer Jake Riemer 6'7" | C Downers Grove North | 2024 State IL (Downers Grove North)
Riemer showcased in the semis why he is an x-factor with his rebounding and efficient scoring in the paint.
Atticus Richmond Atticus Richmond 6'7" | PF Stevenson | 2025 State IL (Stevenson)
Richmond is the least talked about among Stevenson’s four prospects, but when he produces they win.
Danny Houlihan Danny Houlihan 6'4" | SF New Trier | 2026 State IL (New Trier)
If this sophomore gets hot from three New Trier can hang with just about anyone!
Owen Giannoulias Owen Giannoulias 6'0" | PG Glenbrook North | 2024 State IL (Glenbrook North)
This senior guard had a big game on Wednesday and when he scores and plays with the swagger he did in that game they are tough to beat.
Ralph Wires Ralph Wires 5'9" | PG Quincy | 2024 State IL (Quincy)
Wires is crucial for what Quincy does as he is the distributor that makes good decisions and gets all his weapons involved.
Kobe Walker Kobe Walker 6'9" | C Normal Community | 2025 State IL (Normal Community)
Walker is a powerfully built post that comes off the bench and gives their stars a break without losing a step as the junior is a legit scholarship prospect in his own right with his rebounding and low post scoring.
Amare Pryor Amare Pryor 6'1" | PG Bloom | 2026 State IL (Bloom)
Rangy defender in the backcourt that has also had some games where he has lit it up from distance as a sophomore!
Taevion Collier Taevion Collier 6'6" | PF Curie | 2024 State IL (Curie)
Collier has been excellent all season making major strides. Scores in the paint with hook shots, mid-range jumpers, and rebounds very well.
Isaiah Coleman Isaiah Coleman 6'6" | PF Simeon | 2026 State IL (Simeon)
Coleman is an interior presence as a defender and rebounder that Simeon will need against Curie in the final.
Alex Daniels Alex Daniels 6'5" | SF Warren | 2024 State IL (Warren)
Daniels brings a veteran leadership to a Warren team loaded with younger wings and guards. Versatile inside/outside threat that can have a big game when needed.
Adam Anwar Adam Anwar 6'7" | PF McHenry | 2026 State IL (McHenry)
Anwar is a top 20 talent in the sophomore class that has upside long term, but is also contributing now as a key cog in McHenry’s run.
Rashaun Porter Rashaun Porter 6'6" | PF DePaul Prep | 2026 State IL (DePaul Prep)
Porter is another one of the top 2026 posts in the state. He doesn’t get the attention with McElroy out there, but what Porter brings with his rebounding, defense, and athleticism is huge for DePaul Prep.
Christian Uremovich Christian Uremovich 6'5" | PF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State IL (Mt. Carmel)
Uremovich hit the game winner to get them to the sectional final. The skilled forward just makes winning basketball plays!
Bryant Hedrick Bryant Hedrick 6'1" | PG De La Salle | 2024 State IL (De La Salle)
Hedrick is the least heralded of the Meteors seniors, but is very important with his toughness, passing, and shot making at the point.
Caden Workman Caden Workman 6'5" | SF Brother Rice | 2025 State IL (Brother Rice)
Workman has broken out over the last several weeks for Brother Rice. Giving them another perimeter scoring option for teams to worry about.
Sean Lee Sean Lee 6'3" | SF Decatur MacArthur | 2026 State IL (Decatur MacArthur)
Lee is an upside long term sophomore that has two way ability. Can spark MacArthur in their playoff run.
Brayden Trimble Brayden Trimble 6'2" | SG Mt. Zion | 2025 State IL (Mt. Zion)
Trimble might be an elite wide receiver, but is quite a hooper too and is consistently the third option for one of the state’s premier teams.
Kai Fogelson Kai Fogelson 6'3" | SF Walter Payton | 2024 State IL (Walter Payton)
Fogelson continues to post big numbers for Payton next to Blakley giving him another guy to rely on.
Navaeh Hawkins (St. Patrick)
Hawkins is a high energy and athletic four man that brings activity on the glass, finishes inside out of the dunker spot, and is a force defensively.
Luke Hopp Luke Hopp 6'8" | C Metamora | 2024 State IL (Metamora)
Hopp is an efficient senior post that should be garnering more looks at the D2 level. He rebounds, defends, and can score inside/out.
Daquan Little Daquan Little 6'1" | SG Peoria Richwoods | 2024 State IL (Peoria Richwoods)
Little is the third guard for Richwoods that when he has a big night Richwoods is really hard to beat. They will need that on Friday!
Cale Maurer (Mt. Vernon)
Maurer emerged as a sophomore with his sharp shooting and athleticism. He gives Nesbit an option to get the ball too taking the scoring load off just him.
Daryle Jones (Centralia)
Jones is a wiry and long guard that can play on and off the ball. Works perfectly in Centralia’s system as a cutter, shooter, and defender.