35 Intriguing Teams for Next Season

Before we head off to grassroots we want to take a quick look ahead to next high school basketball season.  Here are 35 Intriguing Teams for Next Season at this stage!  We have broken them down into 10 different categories.  Reminder this is BEFORE THE TRANSFER PORTAL and freshman enrolling!  This will change a lot!   Defending Champs   Homewood Flossmoor   Let's start with the defending 4A champions.  They will return the top ranked junior in state who played like it in the second half of the season in [player_tooltip player_id='1385293' first='Bryce' last='Heard'].  He will have a running mate in Jayden Tayler at the point.  Look for Ryan Clemmons and [player_tooltip player_id='2105369' first='Jacob' last='Thompson'] to be new names that emerge.   DePaul Prep   The 3A champs return a lot as well.  Their star guard [player_tooltip player_id='1545133' first='Makai' last='Kvamme'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1385311' first='Robert' last='Walls'] will be the cornerstone along with the inside play of [player_tooltip player_id='1845360' first='Rashaun' last='Porter'] and getting [player_tooltip player_id='1385297' first='Jonas' last='Johnson'] back healthy.  [player_tooltip player_id='2323334' first='AJ' last='Chambers'] is the x-factor.   Phillips   The Chicago team in 2A won the crown led by newly minted top 10 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2321396' first='EJ' last='Horton'] who proved to be a dynamic scorer and passer.  [player_tooltip player_id='1385290' first='Amari' last='Edwards'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2217980' first='Phoenix' last='Childs'] also return.   Elite 2027s Lead the Way   Kenwood   It wasn't how Kenwood wanted to end last season, but if they get what they have to return it should be a dynamite team next year.  In the postseason [player_tooltip player_id='2125612' first='Devin' last='Cleveland'] showed he is a legit national prospect as a freshman.  They have one of the most versatile prospects in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='1385283' first='Aleks' last='Alston'] and when [player_tooltip player_id='1845363' first='Rajan' last='Roberts'] is given the green light to score he can go!   Bolingbrook   [player_tooltip player_id='2323624' first='Davion' last='Thompson'] was spectacular for Bolingbrook as a freshman.  The lefty scored anyway he wanted whenever he wanted.  That was combined with the biggest 2025 stock booster in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='1385301' first='JT' last='Pettigrew'] inside.  [player_tooltip player_id='1874876' first='Trey' last='Brost'] can really shoot it!   Warren   [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] more than lived up to the hype.  He went for 40+ in a 17U AAU game last spring.  Then he seemed to get better each and every time out all season.  [player_tooltip player_id='2321424' first='Immanuel' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2291830' first='Javerion' last='Banks'] provide him with running mates on the wings.   Juniors Ready to Take Lead   Marist   The Marist group is led by 2025s inside/outside duo [player_tooltip player_id='1845350' first='Stephen' last='Brown'] and Adoni Vasilakis.  Two of the best in the state at what they do.  [player_tooltip player_id='2323300' first='TJ' last='Tate'] is a spark plug while seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1766478' first='Achillies' last='Anderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2375627' first='Marquis' last='Vance'] do the dirty work!   Rockford Auburn   [player_tooltip player_id='1845353' first='Amir' last='Danforth'] is a potential breakout star with what he can do as shooter and defender [player_tooltip player_id='2105407' first='Champ' last='Parker'], [player_tooltip player_id='2105424' first='Brian' last='Harper'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2323314' first='Mikwan' last='Marshall'] are all sophomores that are primed to make leap as juniors. New Trier   New Trier made a deep run in the tournament this year.  They will look for point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1554516' first='Christopher' last='Kirkpatrick'] and sharp shooter [player_tooltip player_id='1552486' first='Danny' last='Houlihan'] to turn into stars.   Depth of Prospects   Whitney Young   Whitney Young has so many dudes!  [player_tooltip player_id='1385300' first='Antonio' last='Munoz'] is a top 5 senior that uses his athleticism to impact in so many ways.  Their sophomore class of [player_tooltip player_id='1552475' first='Marquis' last='Clark'], [player_tooltip player_id='1552476' first='Nasir' last='Rankin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1435692' first='Rykan' last='Woo'], and Rico D'Allesandro all got valuable experience this past year and are ready to shine.  2027 small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2323647' first='Howard' last='Williams'] has star potential. Romeoville   Best group of prospects Romeoville has had in a while.  Veterans along with upside.  [player_tooltip player_id='1766461' first='EJ' last='Mosley'] will provide stability, [player_tooltip player_id='1385302' first='Damion' last='Porter'] toughness on the wing, [player_tooltip player_id='1552462' first='Mickeis' last='Johnson'] is the bucket getter.  Inside [player_tooltip player_id='2321402' first='Adam' last='Walker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2244002' first='Jayden' last='Madden'] can emerge as one of the best duos in the state. St. Laurence   [player_tooltip player_id='1766462' first='Zerrick' last='Johnson'] is the top returner.  Power guard that can get buckets [player_tooltip player_id='1545122' first='Caleb' last='Lindsey'], [player_tooltip player_id='1766469' first='Khalil' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='2323617' first='Markese' last='Peoples'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2125677' first='Reggie' last='Stevens'] all will play key roles in elevating this team to a CCL contender. Benet   Benet has a superstar in [player_tooltip player_id='1552393' first='Gabriel' last='Sularski'].  The top junior in the state will be flanked by a big front line of [player_tooltip player_id='1598682' first='Daniel' last='Pauliukonis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'].  In the backcourt they have two rock solid guards in Brayden Fagbemi and [player_tooltip player_id='2105390' first='Jayden' last='Wright'] that can run a team and shoot.   Central Illinois Beasts   Quincy Quincy loses a couple key seniors, but they return a ton of talent too including star point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1385298' first='Bradley' last='Longcor'] and double double threat [player_tooltip player_id='1385308' first='Keshaun' last='Thomas'].  [player_tooltip player_id='1545125' first='Dominique' last='Clay'] is primed for a massive senior year and [player_tooltip player_id='1766498' first='Kamren' last='Wires'] will take over at the point for his brother.   Mt. Zion   Mt. Zion reached the final four last year with just one loss.  They will take that experience into next year behind sharp shooter [player_tooltip player_id='1545145' first='Lyncoln' last='Koester'] along with football superstars [player_tooltip player_id='2375614' first='Brayden' last='Trimble'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2323267' first='JC' last='Anderson'] who are legit hoopers!   Moline   [player_tooltip player_id='1545138' first='Braden' last='Freeman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1545132' first='Treyvon' last='Taylor'] learned last year how to be leaders as juniors after being role players on the state title team.  They will get help from a trio of young guards in [player_tooltip player_id='2105429' first='Wood' last='Cary'], [player_tooltip player_id='2455389' first='Arthur' last='Abbey'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2455383' first='Brady' last='Welch'].   Momentum Carrying over from Last Year St. Patrick   St. Pat's made a run late in the season.  [player_tooltip player_id='1385287' first='EJ' last='Breland'] is an effortless scorer.  [player_tooltip player_id='1545109' first='Nevaeh' last='Hawkins'] brings the energy and athleticism.   Dekalb   [player_tooltip player_id='2105355' first='Davon' last='Grant'] became a monster with his play during the second half of the season.  [player_tooltip player_id='1545123' first='Sean' last='Reynolds'] is one of the top scoring guards in the state.  Those two will carry them. Lincoln Park   It was a great start to the season for Lincoln Park in major part to [player_tooltip player_id='2105222' first='Chayse' last='Turner']. [player_tooltip player_id='1385284' first='Keyshawn' last='Barfield'] brings a presence inside while  [player_tooltip player_id='2105399' first='Ahmad' last='Lee'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2105421' first='Larry' last='Harris'] had breakout sophomore campaigns.   Simeon   Late in the season Simeon had it rolling in the city playoffs and state tournament.  [player_tooltip player_id='1385305' first='Lorenzo' last='Shields'] is back as the senior leader with a  plethora of sophomore weapons in [player_tooltip player_id='1552394' first='Andre' last='Tyler'], [player_tooltip player_id='2323264' first='Kassidy' last='Nelson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2323288' first='Isaiah' last='Coleman'].   They Have A Star   St. Ignatius   When you have one of the best players in the state you are in any game.  [player_tooltip player_id='1385292' first='Phoenix' last='Gill'] does that for St. Ignatius.  Top 5 prospect can take over games!  [player_tooltip player_id='2323283' first='Chris' last='Bolte'] is a sleeper post to track in 2026. Manual   [player_tooltip player_id='1576114' first='Dietrich' last='Richardson'] is the man for Manual.  He has a massive ceiling and we will see if he breaks out over the next few months.  [player_tooltip player_id='2105417' first='Joshua' last='Humbles'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2323294' first='Tony' last='Bradford'] are 2026s that will help.   Metamora   This squad loses almost everyone, but they do return [player_tooltip player_id='1545146' first='Matthew' last='Zobrist'] who is among the best wings in the state's 2025 class.   Bradley Bourbonnais   [player_tooltip player_id='1545117' first='Nick' last='Allen'] made major strides as a junior and the big man is ready to anchor his squad next year.   West Aurora   [player_tooltip player_id='1545116' first='Terrence' last='Smith'] is a two sport star that has the upside to become one of the breakout stars of high school next year.   2025 Guards That Broke Out and Can Carry Team   Crystal Lake South   The combination of [player_tooltip player_id='1433337' first='AJ' last='Demirov'] and path in the playoff will make this team dangerous! Waubonsie Valley   This squad was one of the last in Illinois to lose.  [player_tooltip player_id='2326960' first='Tyreek' last='Coleman'] was a major reason why as he broke out at the point!   Guards and Wings Galore   Niles North   [player_tooltip player_id='1385296' first='Yaris' last='Irby'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2105209' first='Reid' last='Olson'] are going to be one of the most fun backcourts in the state next year with their shot making and flair for the game.  [player_tooltip player_id='2105191' first='Hunter' last='Gawron'] brings bounce around the hoop. Lincoln Way East   The quartet of [player_tooltip player_id='2044507' first='Brent' last='Taylor'], [player_tooltip player_id='1766467' first='Brendan' last='Sanders'], [player_tooltip player_id='1552436' first='Karson' last='Thomas'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1533476' first='BJ' last='Powell'] are primed to put up a lot of points! Joliet West   [player_tooltip player_id='1766497' first='Zion' last='Gross'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2323265' first='Aamir' last='Shannon'] are versatile prospects that can put it in the hoop!  Could they get Jeremiah back? Mt. Carmel   Mt. Carmel lost a lot after a runner up finish at state.  They will return 3 of their top 6 all being guards.  [player_tooltip player_id='1385307' first='Cameron' last='Thomas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1845357' first='Noah' last='Mister'] will play mostly on the ball while [player_tooltip player_id='2105179' first='Grant' last='Best'] is a high level perimeter scorer/shooter. De La Salle   Ton of depth for De La Salle that we are excited to see emerge this upcoming season.  The two we are most looking forward to seeing are Charles Barnes and [player_tooltip player_id='1845364' first='Morgan' last='Travis'].   Underrated Group of Prospects   OPRF   OPRF was a #12 seed in their sectional last year, but we expect that to be a lot higher with the talent they return in [player_tooltip player_id='1385310' first='Alexander' last='Vincent'], [player_tooltip player_id='1545121' first='Justin' last='Bowen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1766470' first='Alex' last='Gossett'], and Dominic Hale. Stevenson   The Patriots flew under the radar most of last year.  Like the big man with versatility in [player_tooltip player_id='1440697' first='Atticus' last='Richmond'] along with quality ball handlers in [player_tooltip player_id='1564889' first='Aidan' last='Bardic'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1552481' first='Rocco' last='Pagliocca'].   NEVER EVER COUNT THEM OUT   Curie   Curie lost almost everyone including star [player_tooltip player_id='1157211' first='Carlos' last='Harris'], but never overlook Curie.  [player_tooltip player_id='1845358' first='Michael' last='Oliver'] Jr will turn into a long distance bomber for his dad.  [player_tooltip player_id='2105200' first='Derrick' last='Dowdell'] should take a step forward.  Tough, hardnosed, team first, two way players will emerge all over the floor as always at Curie!

Before we head off to grassroots we want to take a quick look ahead to next high school basketball season. Here are 35 Intriguing Teams for Next Season at this stage! We have broken them down into 10 different categories. Reminder this is BEFORE THE TRANSFER PORTAL and freshman enrolling! This will change a lot!