State Final: Underclassmen Top Performers
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The state tournament concluded the Illinois high school basketball season on Monday. PHI breaks down the top performers and prospects from the event. We do that here in State Finals: Underclassmen Top Performers! 2026 Tyjuan Hunter (Hope Academy) Hunter is…
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Continue ReadingThe state tournament concluded the Illinois high school basketball season on Monday. PHI breaks down the top performers and prospects from the event. We do that here in State Finals: Underclassmen Top Performers!
2026
Tyjuan Hunter (Hope Academy)
Hunter is a 5’5” point guard that plays an exciting brand of basketball. He can really shoot the ball from deep as was shown in this one hitting a pair from well beyond the three point arc. Speed in transition plays well and is an active defender with his hands getting steals. Top 100 prospect in the sophomore class that’s ceiling will depend on how much he grows. In the semis he had 17 points.
Jaiden Simmons Jaiden Simmons 6'4" | SG Chicago Hope Academy | 2026 State IL (Hope Academy)
Simmons is an intriguing two way prospect at 6’3” with long arms and plus athleticism. Impacted defensively with some blocks and using his length. Bouncy athlete that finishes in the paint. One to track long term as he has the physical tools.
Javionne Ranson (Mounds Meridian)
Ranson had a quiet first 3 quarters in the semis, but the 5’8” point guard came to life late with a pair of huge plays scoring at the rim to give Meridian the winning points. One included a steal and score. Combo guard that is a good athlete. Finished the semis with 8 points.
Marshawn Cocroft Marshawn Cocroft 6'0" | PG Aurora Christian | 2026 State IL (Aurora Christian)
Cocroft was absolutely phenomenal in their double OT semifinal loss to West Central as he scored 36 points doing just about anything he wanted! His speed was on full display getting to the rim at will especially in the open floor blowing past defenders over and over again. Such a crisp and creative ball handler getting to the rim for layups and scoop shots. Also mixed in mid-range pull ups and a trio of triples from deep. Good passer that made several nice reads off actions and rebounds well for his size. Going to see a bump after this big outing.
Claude Mpouma Claude Mpouma 6'7" | C Phillips | 2026 State IL (Phillips)
This 6’6” big bodied and long armed center looks more like an offensive tackle at first, but the kid can ball! Great hands and touch around the hoop along with know how to use his size to his advantage maneuvering defenders around. Hit the offensive glass for several finishes and had a great outlet pass to close out the win finishing with 12 points. In the championship game we liked how he took on the challenge of defending Tedeschi on the interior. Played physical against him while crashing the offensive glass as well notching 7 points and 6 rebounds.
JC Anderson JC Anderson 6'7" | C Mt. Zion | 2026 State IL (Mt. Zion)
SEverything ran through the big fella inside. The skill level for the back to the basket post showed finishing out of the dunker spot, sealing his man off, running the floor, spin moves, and hitting the offensive glass. His efficiency and touch around the basket were very impressive. Fundamentally sound post that rebounds well in his area. He had 17 points (8-11 FG), 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. Would be a legit D1 hoops prospect if he decided to go that route, but is also one of the premier tight ends in America on the gridiron.
Noah Mister Noah Mister 6'1" | PG Mt. Carmel | 2026 State IL (Mt. Carmel)
Mister had a solid floor game in the semis dropping 6 assists while only having 1 turnover. Made some great reads with the rock in his hands. Shifty ball handler that can win off the bounce and score in the paint along with pull ups. Only shot 3-12 from the field, but managed 10 points. Made some plays off the bounce in the championship game loss to DePaul Prep along with making a three for 7 points.
Rashaun Porter Rashaun Porter 6'6" | PF DePaul Prep | 2026 State IL (DePaul Prep)
Porter was great in their semi win against Richwoods. First was his ability to bang with Sommerville inside. He has strength and showed he could more than hold up against the Rutgers commit defensively. Rebounded well in his area and was efficient on the offensive end with a mid-range jumper, take from the mid-post, and finishing out of the dunker spot. He had 10 points and 6 rebounds. One of the better sophomore posts in the state.
Christopher Kirkpatrick Christopher Kirkpatrick 6'3" | PG New Trier | 2026 State IL (New Trier)
Kirkpatrick is coming off a fantastic sophomore campaign where he has seen his stock skyrocket! The 2026 lead guard had a big first half against HF in the semis where he scored on multiple back cuts using his athleticism to finish at the rim. Acrobatic finisher in the pair. Struggled a bit shooting it from distance going 1-6, but has good mechanics and shoots it with a ton of confidence. Drained a tough turnaround fadeaway as well in a 13 point outing.
Danny Houlihan Danny Houlihan 6'4" | SF New Trier | 2026 State IL (New Trier)
Houlihan didn’t make much an impact until late in the game against HF, but he gave them a spark with his shooting hitting a pair of threes. Really like the size on the wing and clean lefty stroke here. Moves well off the ball and is a plus perimeter marksmen that had 6 points in that game.
2027
Antonio Flenoid Jr (Mounds Meridian)
Flenoid Jr stands at 6’3” with a thick lower half. It is a unique situation as he is 18 years old already and will only be able to play one more year of high school basketball which limits his upside. In their semi final win he was a force in the second half recording 24 points and 12 rebounds. Pounds the offensive glass for second chance points, gets out in transition, and plays with power around the bucket. All his scores were in the paint. Flat shot on his free throw. Defensively he is an intimidating force with his strength and athleticism. In the championship game Flenoid Jr was in foul trouble for a lot of the contest. Did have a stretch in the second half where he physically took over for dunks and used his athleticism in the paint as he had 14 points in the championship defeat. If we were looking at him as a junior instead of a freshman he would be a very good potential JUCO prospect.