State Finals: Class of 2024 3A and 4A 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: Class of 2024 3A and 4A Top Performers! Angelo Ciaravino…
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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: Class of 2024 3A and 4A Top Performers!
Angelo Ciaravino Angelo Ciaravino 6'6" | SF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State #160 Nation IL (Mt. Carmel – Northwestern)
Ciaravino struggled with foul trouble early on in the semis as he sat a lot of the first half and a big portion of the third quarter. Turned it on late with a monster showing in the fourth quarter displaying the elite athletic pop and ability to play above the rim that we have seen out of him for the last year. Finished with 13 points in that win. It was a different story in the championship game as the Northwestern commit gave his team everything he had. The big and athletic wing drained 6-10 from beyond the arc. His ability to shoot it at such a high clip while also being an athletic freak with ball skills makes him such a great get for Northwestern. Finished with 24 points in the title game loss.
Lee Marks Lee Marks 6'6" | SF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State IL (Mt. Carmel)
Marks stepped up huge in their semi final game against Mt. Zion. With Ciaravino in foul trouble they desperately needed the unsigned wing to make an impact in his first action after an arm injury that held him out the last month. He did just that with his all-around game that makes him such an intriguing prospect. Guarded multiple positions, finished out of the dunker spot, hit the glass, and passed it very well going for 10 points and 5 assists. Low-majors and high D2s should be all over him!
Lathan Sommerville Lathan Sommerville 6'9" | C Richwoods | 2024 State #85 Nation IL (Richwoods – Rutgers)
Sommerville finished off his career with an 18 point outing in a semi final loss to DePaul Prep. It was clear from the beginning that DePaul Prep was not going to let Sommerville beat them as they had two bodies on him constantly inside. Slow start to the game, but he did get it going as it went along. Couple big dunks including a massive tip slam. And-1 through contact on a face up move and was fouled on a three. Going to be a very good player in the Big 10 on one of the top recruiting classes in the nation.
Daquan Little Daquan Little 6'1" | SG Peoria Richwoods | 2024 State IL (Richwoods)
Little clearly established himself as a top notch small college/JUCO target with his play as a senior. The combo guard is a plus shooter from both mid-range pulling up as well as from three. Good transition player that can also defend pretty well. He had 10 points.
PJ Chambers PJ Chambers 6'2" | SG DePaul Prep | 2024 State IL (DePaul Prep)
Chambers has been a steady force for the Rams all season long. Shot maker from beyond the arc with a quick and concise lefty stroke especially from the corners. Also loves to step in for one or two dribble pull ups. Active defender and all-around solid player. He had 15 points. In the championship game he wasn’t the usual offensive threat that he has been all season but when it matter most he made the key free throws going 6-6 from the charity stripe down the stretch. High end small schools and JUCOs should be all over him!
Jaheem Webber Jaheem Webber 6'9" | C Normal Community | 2024 State #300 Nation IL (Normal Community – Wright State)
Webber was the man against Palatine in the semis. The senior Wright State commit is a big and bruising center that was dominant on the boards and finishing inside with power. He is an old school big that does his damage on the block garnering deep post position and scoring through contact. Rebounds at a super high level in his area. In the Palatine game he went for 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 blocks.
Braylon Roman Braylon Roman 6'3" | SG Normal Community | 2024 State IL (Normal Community)
Roman is among the best uncommitted prospects on the board. A lot of buzz about him among JUCOs at this stage being in hot pursuit. He showed off his three point shot going 3-6 from beyond the arc in a 19 point outing against Palatine in the semis. Slick ball handler that weaves in and out of the defense being able to create his own shot off the bounce getting to the rim. Strong showing in the championship game as well dropping 18 points including a pair of feathery jumpers. Got to the rim for runners and used his size and athleticism on the perimeter to make impactful plays. He is a D1 talent for sure!
Niko Newsome Niko Newsome 6'6" | SG Normal Community | 2024 State IL (Normal Community – Saginaw Valley State)
Newsome was solid in the semis hitting a pair of threes and impacting on the defensive end. He had 8 points. Newsome started off on fire, but then cooled off in the title game scoring just 5 points and 2-8 from the field.
Noah Cleveland Noah Cleveland 6'8" | C Normal Community | 2024 State IL (Normal Community)
Cleveland is one of the top 2024 post players still on the board. After not playing his junior year he has come back stronger than ever. High level rebounder that plays with a ton of grit. Strong and broad shouldered post that scores around the hoop and has touch scoring with efficiency in the paint. In the semis he had 8 points and 9 rebounds. He was the best player for Normal in the championship game loss to HF. Cleveland was a force on the interior with his toughness, athleticism, and grit. Pounded the glass and played with a high motor going for 13 points (5-8 FG) and 11 rebounds.
Connor May Connor May 6'5" | SF Palatine | 2024 State IL (Palatine – Wash U)
The Wash U commit is a prospect that in my eyes has D1 talent that was an absolute steal. He has size on the perimeter with a really good skill set. Shoots it from three and mid-range along with being able to deck it some. In a semi final loss to Normal he notched 17 points.
Jaylan McElroy Jaylan McElroy 6'7" | PF DePaul Prep | 2024 State #262 Nation IL (DePaul Prep)
McElroy wasn’t a huge scorer in Champaign, but he was so effective as a defensive presence on the interior. Did it in the semis against Richwoods and then had a very nice showing in the championship game against Mt. Carmel going for 8 points and 7 rebounds (4 offensive). Great at getting second chance points with his quickness and length. Switchable defender that moves his feet and alters things. Among the top uncommitted seniors in the state.
Gianni Cobb Gianni Cobb 6'0" | PG Homewood Flossmoor | 2024 State IL (Homewood Flossmoor – Columbia)
Cobb is an athletic point guard that is headed to Columbia next season. The senior guard plays with a ton of speed and loves to break defenders down getting to the rim. He did it over and over again with acrobatic conversions at the hoop. One of the most prolific layup makers in the state. Active defender, good playmaker, and sticks his nose in for boards at the guard spot. Against New Trier he had 12 points (4-8 FG), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
Carson Brownfield Carson Brownfield 6'5" | SF Homewood Flosmoor | 2024 State IL (Homewood Flossmoor)
After a quiet semi, Brownfield erupted in the championship game. The strong bodied lefty brought his physicality and shot making to the table. The 6’4” wing is a plus athlete that can create his own shot and explode to the rim for scores along with getting out in transition. Going to be a great JUCO or small college prospect. He had 12 points and 7 rebounds. Such a tough kid!
Dominic Pangallo Dominic Pangallo 6'4" | SF Homewood Flossmoor | 2024 State IL (Homewood Flossmoor)
Pangallo is a prospect we have been fans of for a while. The rangy small forward is an ideal three and D guy at the small college or JUCO level. Hit a big three in the game along with getting to the foul line against New Trier.
Will Leemaster (New Trier)
Leemaster didn’t even score against HF, but wow was the small forward fantastic with his passing. He sliced up the defense on back cuts out of the high post with his pin point accuracy over and over again. He had 5 points and 5 rebounds.
Logan Feller (New Trier)
Feller is a sleeper prospect in the senior class. Scored on several back cuts along with displaying a solid jumper on the baseline and from three. Good passer and flashed some athleticism defending on the perimeter.