Preseason Team Rankings: Top 10 in Illinois

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The moment is here! I'm beyond excited to unveil my next preseason list. These ten programs have shown throughout the summer and preseason that they are legitimate championship contenders in their respective classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This list features two schools from outside Chicagoland, Two catholic schools, two public schools from the north suburbs, and three public schools from the southwest suburbs. But crazy enough, only one CPS team has made the list and they're ranked #10 at the moment. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10. Whitney Young</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dolphins had an up and down season and lost a handful of transfers. But they still have one of the top prospects in the 2025 class in [player_tooltip player_id='1385300' first='Antonio' last='Munoz'] as well as a top 2026 PG in [player_tooltip player_id='1552475' first='Marquis' last='Clark']. 2025 G [player_tooltip player_id='1545124' first='Damajay' last='Richardson'] is also an effective playmaker with small-school potential. You also have 2026 SG [player_tooltip player_id='2617351' first='Alijah' last='Little'], who was an effective wing/guard last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9. Quincy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The nucleus of this team returns after finishing 31-4 last season. Santa Clara signee [player_tooltip player_id='1385298' first='Bradley' last='Longcor'] leads the backourt. Up front you have a pair of top-60 2025's in [player_tooltip player_id='1545125' first='Dominique' last='Clay'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1385308' first='Keshaun' last='Thomas']. Ranked prospects [player_tooltip player_id='2304110' first='Mark' last='Louthan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1766498' first='Kamren' last='Wires'] round out a highly experienced group that will definitely create some noise in central Illinois.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. New Trier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trevians are fresh off back-to-back trips downstate in 4A. A pair of juniors in [player_tooltip player_id='1554516' first='Christopher' last='Kirkpatrick'], who stole the show in last years super-sectional, and [player_tooltip player_id='1552486' first='Danny' last='Houlihan'], who's stock has risen on the AAU circuit, are in for huge roles. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1385306' first='Colby' last='Smith'] brings tons of leadership, too. I've been watching him since he was a freshman. 6'8" C Maks De Polo brings size. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. Mt. Zion</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mt. Zion got on my radar in the middle of last season and it resulted in a 4th place finish in 3A. Much of the team returns this year including [player_tooltip player_id='1545145' first='Lyncoln' last='Koester'], who was the POTY in his area, as well as [player_tooltip player_id='2323267' first='JC' last='Anderson']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Homewood-Flossmor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4A champions last year. Could have been a little higher if [player_tooltip player_id='1385293' first='Bryce' last='Heard'] didn't graduate early. But the group returning still makes them threats to repeat. That includes Kent St commit [player_tooltip player_id='1774274' first='Jayden' last='Tyler'] leading the way in the backcourt. [player_tooltip player_id='2105169' first='Arden' last='Eaves'], [player_tooltip player_id='2617362' first='Brent' last='Taylor'], [player_tooltip player_id='2617349' first='Aiden' last='Derose'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2617451' first='Ryan' last='Clemons'] are all experienced seniors that will contribute. Look out for freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2532005' first='Kai' last='Harvey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2467517' first='Darrius' last='Hawkins'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Warren</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group won almost every single game over the summer. [player_tooltip player_id='2194324' first='Jaxon' last='Davis'], ranked the #3 prospect in 2027, made an immediate impact as a freshman last season. They also have numerous key returners including [player_tooltip player_id='2291830' first='Javerion' last='Banks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2437519' first='Braylon' last='Walker'].Both were impressive over the summer. More role players will be effective, too. This group is hungry after losing in a 4A super-sectional last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Waubonsie Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similar to Mt. Zion. Waubonsie Valley caught everyones attention last season and started the year 23-0. Fell in a heartbreaker to DGN last year in the playoffs. What makes them so dangerous again is that their top players from last season return. Including [player_tooltip player_id='2326960' first='Tyreek' last='Coleman'], [player_tooltip player_id='2617433' first='Moses' last='Wilson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2125659' first='Kristopher' last='Mporokoso'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Benet</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Losing Sularski didn't slow this team down over the summer. The backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='2105390' first='Jayden' last='Wright'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1598658' first='Blake' last='Fagbemi'] were so dynamic last season. 6'9" [player_tooltip player_id='1598682' first='Daniel' last='Pauliukonis'] shot up our rankings over the summer and recently committed to SIU. X-Factor will be 7'0" big man [player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack']. Ranked the best big man in the class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Bolingbrook</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Raiders team has talent all over the floor and is in a prime position to take home a state championship IN 4A. 2025 F [player_tooltip player_id='1385301' first='JT' last='Pettigrew'] will be the leader of this team. 2026 C [player_tooltip player_id='2617399' first='Jayden' last='Madden'] is a big time threat on the interior. But the most exciting name is [player_tooltip player_id='2323624' first='Davion' last='Thompson']. Currently ranked #2 in his class, the 2027 COMBO was one of the most productive freshman in Illinois last year and will look to grow on that this year. Then you have incoming freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2531973' first='Brady' last='Pettigrew'], who exceeded my expectations this summer. Rounding out the group is Trey Bost.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. DePaul Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams won State Championships in both 2023 and 2024. Not only that, but they put on a show over the summer and dominated the R-B and Ridgewood Shootouts. Tom Kleinschmidt continues to reload with elite-level talent and will play several national powers this season. 2025 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1545133' first='Makai' last='Kvamme'] recently signed with WIU. [player_tooltip player_id='1385297' first='Jonas' last='Johnson'] is healthy again and ready to make a big impact as a winger. A third senior, [player_tooltip player_id='1385311' first='Robert' last='Walls'], is one of the most underrated defenders in Illinois. 2026 F [player_tooltip player_id='1845360' first='Rashaun' last='Porter'] is an elite forward in his class. They also got Ryan Woo to transfer from Whitney Young this season. [player_tooltip player_id='2323334' first='AJ' last='Chambers'] and Gus Donahue are wild-cards. Can the Rams three-peat?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->