Prep Hoops Live: Top Illinois 2026 Posts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Live over the weekend was a great opportunity for our staff to see a ton of prospects from the state of Illinois which we will be breaking down all week.&nbsp; Here we examine <strong>Prep Hoops Live: Top Illinois 2026 Posts</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2875676' first='Elijah' last='Anderson'] (Illinois Stars)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson was a breakout player for us.&nbsp; The Bolingbrook big man physically looks the part with his size, strength, and length.&nbsp; Plus athlete that can handle it in the open floor, runs the court well as a rim runner, and was an impactful defender blocking shots along with altering others.&nbsp; Look for this big man to be a key player for Bolingbrook as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2823585' first='Tony' last='Balanganayi'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075527' first='Ignite' last='Hoops'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Illini football offensive line/defensive line commit was dominant throughout the weekend in the two games we saw him play.&nbsp; He is a wide bodied big man that is super nimble with his footwork.&nbsp; He knows how to score carving out space, getting deep post position, and having touch around the hoop.&nbsp; Rebounds very well in his area, passes out of the post, can handle some, and walls up defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2617390' first='Ilija' last='Babic'] (Bardo Basketball)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The South Elgin big man emerged on our radar during the season and had a strong outing on Saturday.&nbsp; He is a 6'6” five with broad shoulders and a strong frame.&nbsp; Worked well in the pick/roll game as a finisher, crashed the offensive glass for put backs, and finished out of the dunker spot.&nbsp; Flies in for rebounds and has a nice turnaround short jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joseph Niego ([program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Brother Rice 6'7” center was very effective on Sunday dropping 21 points in a win.&nbsp; The touch around the basket and on his mid-range game shined.&nbsp; Floaters, spin moves, hook shots, and more were on display.&nbsp; Got to the free throw line where he converted at a good rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Luke Segroves ([program_tooltip program_id='2414566' first='Mike' last='Glennon Elite'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Segroves is a combo forward with some predictability to play as a face up four at the next level.  Posts up strong, hits the offensive glass for second chance points, rebounds well on both ends in his area, and can put it on the deck against other big men for scores.  Solid passer as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->