All 2026 Team: Illinois 1st Live Weekend

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first live period was hot and heavy at both venues. Riverside Brookfield and Romeoville put together two excellent shootouts. I decided to put together a 2026 first and second team based off games I watched in person and online.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>1st Team&nbsp;</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105360' first='Lincoln' last='Williams'] Kankakee 6'6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln was in rare form this weekend at Riverside Brookfield. His length and athleticism is the key to his game. In a battle with PHI current #1 Gabe Sularski he took the edge getting out in transition with steals and connecting with momentum-changing dunks. Lincoln has improved as a shooter and finishing around the basket.&nbsp; Adding to areas he lacked early on. Williams has placed himself in the conversation for the top spot of the class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1845352' first='Jamson' last='Coulter'] Rich Township 6'2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bull in the China shop Coulter wrecked defenses all weekend.&nbsp; Playing with force and testing the rims a few times. The shot was falling and shortly after that the offers came in as well. Look for Jamson to capitalize off this momentum he's created for himself.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552475' first='Marquis' last='Clark']&nbsp;Whitney Young 6'3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clark was his normal smooth-scoring self. Clark has a knack for scoring but when he hits 5 threes in a game it shows that he's been in the lab improving on his game. Marquis has been more aggressive now that he's not sharing possessions at the lead guard spot.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1845353' first='Amir' last='Danforth'] Rockford Auburn&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Amir has a reputation for being a shot maker from a long distance. On Saturday Danforth exploded for two 30-plus point games. He looked to be a well rounded guard, showing his passing skills and adding help on the glass. Danforth will have lots of attention on him at next weekend's live period.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552460' first='Bryce' last='Wegrzyn'] Libertyville 6'7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Became a fan of Bryce after watching him connect on 5 threes in a scrappy matchup against Payton. Wegrzyn isn't just a shooter though as he's a mobile big who moves well off the ball and is athletic enough to finish plays above the rim. I think his IQ for the game and skillset will translate to an offer after another successful live period.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Second Team&nbsp;</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1845350' first='Stephen' last='Brown'] Marist 6'8&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Athletic forward who controlled the boards and had several blocks at the shootout. Brown had a big game against Hillcrest where he scored 22 points. Brown is an elite athlete who does a good job at scoring in traffic. He likes to play above the rim and is dangerous in the open court.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552476' first='Nasir' last='Rankin'] Morgan Park 6'2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rankin looked dominant at times scoring off the bounce and scoring through guys. He has that next-level speed and strength when getting downhill.&nbsp; Going for 35 in his first weekend with the Mustangs was just a precursor to what he has to offer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1435692' first='Rykan' last='Woo']&nbsp; DePaul Prep 6'1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woo is maybe the most efficient guard in the state.&nbsp; He plays with a winning first mentality. A three-level scoring guard who can see the floor well and put guys in good situations with his passing. I've always had Rykan pegged for an Ivy League school and nothing has changed. Making the move to DePaul hasn't slowed any of his progress.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1533476' first='BJ' last='Powell'] Lincoln Way East 5'11</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Powell has been a very consistent scoring guard the last two seasons. To no surprise him having multiple double-digit games at Riverside Brookfield was more of a routine thing. BJ is a lefty who likes to attack using floaters and runners in the lane. If left on the perimeter he knocks shots down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1845354' first='Oliver' last='Gray'] - Barrington 6'5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three level scorer who showed how well he shoots it from three. Bryce had multiple games of 20 points and more. His activity off the ball was key, finding holes in the defense, and making quick decisions with the ball. Watching him score in a crowded lane was an eye opener for me. Gray has received attention from several schools after his solid weekend.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Honorable Mention</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1552436' first='Karson' last='Thomas'] - Marist&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyjuan Hunter - Hope Academy&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gabe Sularski - Lemont&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1552480' first='Trey' last='Williams'] - Loyola Academy&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ethan Hillsman - Joliet West&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mason Lockett - Oswego East&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charles Barnes – De La Salle&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1552441' first='Josh' last='Abushanab'] - Glenbard West</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kye Ward - Owens - Hyde Park&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1845357' first='Noah' last='Mister'] - Mount Carmel&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->