Windy City War: Illinois 2026 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Windy City War featured some of the premier teams from Illinois and the Midwest.&nbsp; Prep Hoops had tons of coverage from the event.&nbsp; We continue to dive into it here in <strong>Windy City War: Illinois 2026 Standouts!</strong><br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552460' first='Bryce' last='Wegrzyn'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In my eyes this was the Illinois MVP of the weekend.&nbsp; We were aggressive with his ranking in the last update at #8, but honestly he is too low as he is definitely trending toward top 5 status after the way he played.&nbsp; The Libertyville five man is a great area rebounder that has a tremendous feel for grabbing boards on both ends.&nbsp; Multiple put backs for second chance points every game.&nbsp; Also has good passing instincts out of the post.&nbsp; The area that has taken his game to another level is his shooting.&nbsp; Made three or four threes in every game we saw him over the weekend.&nbsp; Mid-majors need to be all over him during the live periods!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323283' first='Chris' last='Bolte'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The St. Ignatius four man is an inside outside threat that just quietly goes about his job and produces game in and game out.&nbsp; Can stretch the floor out to beyond the arc with his jumper along with knocking in short jumpers often on turnarounds out of the post.&nbsp; Tough finisher and rebounder inside that often ends up at the foul line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2839863' first='Michael' last='Nee'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nee is in the midst of a massive spring.&nbsp; Had been hearing buzz, but we got to see it live as he was lights out from the perimeter with his shooting.&nbsp; Was absolutely lethal all weekend with his three point marksmanship.&nbsp; Off the catch he is right up there as the best pure perimeter shooter in the state.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552408' first='TJ' last='Williams'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Glenbard West shooting guard put together a solid event.&nbsp; Fluid athlete that scored on sweeping layups, tough finishes at the rim, and was a capable perimeter shooter.&nbsp; Also defends well on the perimeter.&nbsp; Continues to progress each time we see him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1845360' first='Rashaun' last='Porter'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078448' first='Illinois' last='Wolves'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Porter continues to evolve and elevate his game each time we see him play.&nbsp; The power forward from DePaul Prep is coming off three state titles and will look for a fourth as a senior.&nbsp; Before that he has work to do this summer.&nbsp; He has always been a physical force bullying inside and on the interior.&nbsp; The athletic pop really shined through at Windy City War as he played above the rim throwing down several massive dunks in both transition and out of the dunker spot.&nbsp; Rebounds very well in his area, quick spin moves, and has greatly improved his consistency as a shooter from distance.&nbsp; One of the best big men in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1435692' first='Rykan' last='Woo'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078448' first='Illinois' last='Wolves'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woo is just a winner.&nbsp; He does what he needs to for his team to get over the top.&nbsp; That is what he did again here pouring in multiple threes in their win over Power 5 on Saturday.&nbsp; Woo is a point guard that is a plus shooter off the catch as he nailed a pair from the corner to get the Wolves the separation they needed.&nbsp; Finds his teammates with crisp passes and consistently making sound decisions as a passer.&nbsp; Bonafide D1 floor general.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2045857' first='Ethan' last='Hillsman'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078448' first='Illinois' last='Wolves'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hillsman is off to a good start this spring carrying over from a strong close to his season at Joliet West.&nbsp; He is a big and physically imposing small forward that plays above the rim with his athleticism.&nbsp; Slashes, gets to the foul line, and is a capable three point shooter.&nbsp; Feel he can develop into one of the better wing defenders in this class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2334404' first='Tre' last='Watkins'] (Basketball Paradise 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watkins is perhaps the most under appreciated prospect in the 2026 class.&nbsp; The Metea Valley 6'2” shooting guard is an absolutely lethal scoring option.&nbsp; He went for 30+ in one game and 24 points in another contest.&nbsp; Slick handles finding the creases in the defense getting to the rim where he is acrobatic while also being able to throw down dunks.&nbsp; Solid shooter that raises up over opponents for clean shots.&nbsp; Also making growth as a distributor as we saw him display good decision making off live dribbles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mike Oliver Jr ([program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oliver Jr had a consistent weekend shooting the ball from the perimeter in the games that we saw.&nbsp; Smaller point guard with a big time shot off the catch from distance.&nbsp; Brings toughness and a lot of experience to the table!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Travis Marks ([program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marks is a guard from Bolingbrook that could see an uptick in minutes with Thompson leaving.&nbsp; This past weekend he played off his athleticism winning off the bounce for transition scores, straight line takes, and did manage to hit several threes.&nbsp; Could be primed to blossom as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaleb Istvanik (Illinois Stars 16/17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Downers Grove South shooting guard is among the better shooters in the 2026 class.&nbsp; He has a rangy frame to add strength on.&nbsp; Really like his shot prep as he is always ready to let it fly when spotting up either off movement or spotting up especially from the corners.&nbsp; Solid athlete as well that averaged 15 ppg and shot 48% on 37 attempts in four games over the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2848654' first='Sawyer' last='Holstine'] (Ronnie Fields Elite 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Nazareth 6'3” wing set the tone for the weekend with a big performance on Friday night.&nbsp; He is a plus shooter off the catch that can also let it fly coming off ball screen action.&nbsp; Solid size and frame.&nbsp; Mixed in some stuff off the bounce and is a solid off ball passer.&nbsp; Should find a home as a really nice small college prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->