Preseason Team Rankings: Honorable Mentions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before I unveil the top five, I'd like to recognize a handful of programs that barely missed the cut of our rankings. These teams surely have the talent and experience to crack into our rankings over the course of the season and could definitely make noise in their respective conferences. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>De La Salle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Meteors have shown plenty of promise over the past couple years. They did lose a lot from last season. But they have three top-200 seniors on their roster in [player_tooltip player_id='2323332' first='Caleb' last='Henry'], [player_tooltip player_id='2323326' first='Jordan' last='Shaw'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2323307' first='Lucas' last='Johnson']. Look out for [player_tooltip player_id='2532031' first='Roosevelt' last='Thomas'] to have a big role as a sophomore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Glenbard East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group won 21 games last season and return a bunch of their guys. That includes [player_tooltip player_id='2839863' first='Michael' last='Nee'], a top-25 senior who can hit shots from anywhere on the floor. He's headed to South Dakota next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metea Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A group mixed with experience and promise. Leading the charge is Illinois-Springfield Commit [player_tooltip player_id='2334404' first='Tre' last='Watkins']. [player_tooltip player_id='1874847' first='Michael' last='Allen'] also provides strength in the backcourt and should see a big role this season as a senior. Promising youth in the front court with a pair of sophomores in [player_tooltip player_id='2819731' first='Solomon' last='Morrison'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2842584' first='Sincere' last='Williams']. Both top 40 prospects in 2028. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mt. Carmel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The long term potential in this group cannot be ignored. I was especially impressed with what I saw from freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2915584' first='DK' last='Heard'] over the summer. Heard made an immediate impact and has the potential to keep growing. [player_tooltip player_id='2767906' first='Ronald' last='Johnson'] is another freshman to watch. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2832912' first='Luke' last='Segroves'], [player_tooltip player_id='2832909' first='Charlie' last='Wingate'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2403910' first='Logan' last='Wessel'] bring experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Peoria</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another group with excellent long-term potential. Multiple top 70 sophomores are on this team and should contribute including [player_tooltip player_id='2474926' first='Kayden' last='Turner'], [player_tooltip player_id='2834186' first='Nigel' last='Moore'], [player_tooltip player_id='2389398' first='Orlando' last='Edwards'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2963387' first='JJ' last='Duffin']. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2734391' first='Fenix' last='Foy'] provides leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Simeon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It seems crazy to leave this perennial powerhouse on the south side of Chicago outside our rankings. But they can definitely surprise people and have strong depth to help them. Senior Point Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2298580' first='Kaydin' last='Williams'] has transferred in and should lead a backcourt complemented by junior [player_tooltip player_id='2532341' first='Keyae' last='Lacy'], senior [player_tooltip player_id='2436956' first='Kamari' last='Hamlin'], and senior [player_tooltip player_id='2864928' first='Jesse' last='House']. Isaish House and [player_tooltip player_id='2211161' first='Nico' last='Wright'] will anchor the front court. Both are seniors, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waubonsie Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This a group coming off a 31-1 team. They lost a ton, but return the #5 junior in the state in Kristopher Mprokoso. His younger brother, Kaidan Mprokoso, could also see a role this season. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1874669' first='Aidan' last='Lee'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2619610' first='Tate' last='Bartzen'] provide some strong backcourt depth, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wheaton Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6'7" PF [player_tooltip player_id='2125634' first='Hayden' last='Schroeder'] is the states top post prospect in the 2027 class. Making things look easy in and around the paint. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2413169' first='Noah' last='Tink'] is a top 100 kid in the 2028 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->