Show Me Showdown: Illinois 2026 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past weekend we were at the Show Me Showdown in St. Louis where we were able to check out quite a few prospects from Illinois with an emphasis on the southern part of the state.&nbsp; Here is a look at some of those prospects in <strong>Show Me Showdown: Illinois 2026 Standouts</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552415' first='Maddox' last='Ritzel'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ritzel is a productive wing from Nashville that is very consistent game in and game out for both his high school team and the Bears.&nbsp; You know what you are getting.&nbsp; Broad shouldered and strong two guard that plays with physicality off the bounce.&nbsp; He scores in the lane through contact, nifty finisher, and is a capable shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2831779' first='Myles' last='Guthman'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Guthman opened our eyes with a strong opening night performance and backing it up with solid play the rest of the weekend.&nbsp; The Murphysboro 6'4” small forward is a sound spot up shooter and solid perimeter defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2823657' first='Kemmeon' last='Hale'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hale is a Murphysboro product that is a big bodied center with a lot of long term potential.&nbsp; He has some refinement that needs to be done, but there are a lot of tools to work with.&nbsp; Carves out space down low, hook shots, pounds the offensive glass, and plays with toughness through contact inside.&nbsp; Snatches rebounds on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lane Wolfe ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wolfe is a 5'10” point guard that can really shoot it from beyond the arc.  The North Clay guard is a big time shot maker that poured in five in one game we saw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2387516' first='Connor' last='Brown'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steelville point guard that emerged at the event.&nbsp; Good athlete that can handle it on straight line takes and in transition for an array of conversions in the paint as he racked up 15 points in the contest we evaluated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2477842' first='Amareon' last='Adams'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adams is a strong and athletic power forward that plays off those two physical gifts well.&nbsp; Rim runner in transition, quick to the offensive glass, and can play facing up.&nbsp; On Saturday he went for 24 points in a double double performance.&nbsp; Shot it well from beyond the arc along with being able to win with his handles in the mid-range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552447' first='Tyler' last='Thompson'] (Knights Elite)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson was probably the top Illinois 2026 prospect at the event and played up to that when we saw him in a pair of games Sunday.&nbsp; The jumbo wing was outstanding in all facets of his game.&nbsp; He knew he was the best player on the floor and brought it!&nbsp; Handles have continued to improve throughout his career.&nbsp; Won off the bounce for soft touch finishes, pushed coast to coast in transition, and had sweeping layups in the half court.&nbsp; His playmaking as a secondary playmaker really stood out as well.&nbsp; Made nice kicks to shooters, found cutters, and made good reads in the open floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2899898' first='Aaron' last='Bodner'] (Southern Illinois Raptors)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bonder had a nice showing on the final day of Show Me as the Staunton guard emerged with a nice outing.&nbsp; Gets in the lane for finishes, mid-range jumpers, and showed despite his size he can finish through big men.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sawyer Smith (Southern Illinois Raptors)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is a Carlinville big man that brought a lot of grit inside for the Raptors.&nbsp; Finished off movement and off his teammates passes inside.&nbsp; Flashed as a defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->