Sleeper 2026 Prospects Who Need More Buzz as Season Approaches

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we are almost two months away from the start of the season we wanted to examine some prospects that need to be talked about more heading into the 2025-2026 season!&nbsp; Here is our look at the 2026 class in Pt 2!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2372438' first='Jaiden' last='Simmons'] (Hope)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simmons is a versatile wing that is a force at the 1A level with how he impacts with his athleticism.&nbsp; Going to be a name you hear in March!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105417' first='Joshua' last='Humbles'] (Manual)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Humbles is a big and physical wing that will step into the go to role for the Rams this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552417' first='Jordan' last='Walker'] (Marian Catholic)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walker should see a large role on a retooled Marian Catholic squad.&nbsp; He flashed during the summer with his perimeter scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323262' first='Zyheir' last='Gardner'] (Crete Monee)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gardner is a prospect we have been intrigued with since early in his career.&nbsp; He has a good frame and strength.&nbsp; Time for a breakout senior season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323329' first='Kyle' last='Johnson'] (Althoff)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson is an athletic four that is slightly undersized, but makes up for it with his length.&nbsp; Can stretch the floor and has a good skill set.&nbsp; He should see an expanded role this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1845362' first='Jocahana' last='Pullum'] (Morgan Park)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Super bouncy combo forward that will bring two way impact for the Mustangs this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2844402' first='Arnez' last='Jones'] (North Lawndale)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong bodied front court player that impressed us over the summer as an intimidating force inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2217942' first='Aidan' last='Renicker'] (Benet)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Renicker is one of several Benet perimeter players that will bring shot making and secondary scoring to the table complimenting their stars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552411' first='Jalen' last='Boyd'] (Proviso Math and Science)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boyd is super under the radar as an active big man that makes things happen around the rim rebounding and finishing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552464' first='Kenan' last='Pekovic'] (Rolling Meadows)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pekovic is a strong bodied small forward that has been the perfect complimentary player over the years.&nbsp; Now he is going to be looked at for a larger role for the Mustangs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2409690' first='Chase' last='Honore'] (St. Ignatius)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like what we saw from Honore during the spring and summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2414566' first='Mike' last='Glennon Elite'].&nbsp; This is an x-factor type player that can provide scoring when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1522682' first='Kain' last='Kretschmar'] (Lake Zurich)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good size at 6'3” that can shoot it off the catch along with creating his own shot.&nbsp; Go to scorer for Lake Zurich this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2482184' first='Adam' last='Bauer'] (Cary Grove)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bauer is an efficient scorer that has good size up front.&nbsp; Rebounds well in his area and will be a double double threat as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2397705' first='Noah' last='Therapos'] (Hinsdale South)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hinsdale Central guard is primed for a big season as a sharp shooter from the point guard position that brings a ton of juice to his squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2414164' first='Jalen' last='Clardy'] (Bremen)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clardy is a big bodied wing that is a bucket!&nbsp; Expect him to put up big numbers at Bremen this season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2407880' first='Payton' last='McGuire'] (Marshall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plus shooter that shined with the Illinois Mavericks as a combo guard that can let it fly from the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2617346' first='Aaron' last='Laroche-Dogbe'] (Jones)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'6” combo forward has a projectable frame and wins off the bounce for athletic finishes at the cup.&nbsp; Rebounds well.&nbsp; Major upside piece for Jones!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2396322' first='Joesiah' last='Johnson'] (Crane)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emerged at The EXPO as a guard that was explosive as a downhill scorer converting acrobatic layups.&nbsp; Crane is a sleeper team in the CPL!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552395' first='Sean' last='Day'] (Downers Grove South)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Day is a thin lefty combo guard that has a sweet looking shot!&nbsp; Look for him to be the perfect complimentary playmaker and scorer for DGS!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OJ [player_tooltip player_id='2873209' first='Powell' last=''] (Willowbrook)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2873209' first='Powell' last=''] has flown under the radar, but with his athleticism he is definitely a player that could emerge as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->