Underclassmen Emerging as Key Varsity Contributors This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With three weeks of the season already in the books and two major events in the rearview several underclassmen have begun to carve out meaningful roles at the varsity level. These are young prospects who may not be household names yet, but their early impact suggests breakout performances could be right around the corner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2540205' first='John' last='Brown IV'] | Homewood-Flossmoor | 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown has provided quality minutes for a young, rapidly improving Vikings squad. His length and athleticism immediately stand out on the defensive end where he impacts the game by controlling the glass, altering shots, and protecting the rim. Offensively, Brown can stretch the floor with his shooting, but his bread and butter comes from energy plays crashing the offensive glass, cutting hard to the rim, and finishing above the rim for dunks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2385372' first='Noah' last='Corro'] | St. Laurence | 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After playing behind a senior-heavy roster last season Corro's role has expanded and continues to evolve. His responsibilities change game to game. Sometimes he's asked to score other times to facilitate. At the Chicago Elite Classic Corro led all scorers with 21 points while at the [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] event he contributed in other ways despite scoring just seven. As he continues to adjust Corro is positioning himself as a major prospect in the 2028 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2964028' first='Elon' last='Henderson'] | Leo | 2029</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Already inserted into the starting lineup Henderson has quickly established himself as one of the top big men in the freshman class. The 6'9 stretch forward is comfortable knocking down shots from the perimeter and brings long-term upside to a Leo program that lost a key piece over the summer. His early contributions have the Lions trending in the right direction for the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2877491' first='Marshaun' last='Thornton'] | Mount Carmel | 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A two-sport athlete who also stars on the football field Thornton brings instant toughness and athleticism to the lineup. He's capable of guarding multiple positions and is at his best offensively when attacking the basket as a slasher. His physical presence and versatility make him a valuable piece for Mount Carmel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2422339' first='Jayden' last='Alford'] | Yorkville Christian | 2029</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The younger brother of [player_tooltip player_id='2125688' first='Tray' last='Alford'], Jayden has already begun to make his mark as a catch-and-shoot specialist in his freshman season. As he gains more varsity experience his role will continue to expand, but his shooting ability has given him an early path to contributing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2918202' first='Kaden' last='McClellan'] | Bloom | 2029</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McClellan is a dependable perimeter shooter with strong basketball IQ and feel for the game. Playing alongside fellow freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2918205' first='Keiwon' last='Gulley'], he consistently finds ways to get open within the flow of the offense and doesn't force shots. His ability to play the right way makes him a vital piece of Bloom's long-term plans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2947403' first='Orlando' last='Bohlen'] | Payton | 2029</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A proven catch-and-shoot threat Bohlen has seen early success at the varsity level for Payton. After standing out at Prep Hoops camp this fall his shot-making ability has translated seamlessly into the season. His confidence and spacing have added immediate value to the lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2538631' first='Grant' last='Smith'] | Lyons | 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although he didn't compete in the Chicago Elite Classic or [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] Shootout Smith has made his presence felt on varsity this season. The 6'5 athletic wing brings versatility, scoring from the perimeter, and off slashing cuts to the basket. Smith has led Lyons in scoring and rebounding in multiple games and is shaping up to be a cornerstone prospect for the program over the next three seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2842573' first='Blake' last='Choice'] | DePaul Prep | 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next name to know in DePaul Prep's pipeline is this guard. Choice is already logging key minutes for a strong program. He's effective off the bounce consistently getting into the heart of the defense to create opportunities and has shown confidence knocking down perimeter shots including a memorable banked three from the corner. Choice is on track to take on an even larger role once the current senior group graduates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These underclassmen are just scratching the surface, but early returns suggest several breakout moments are on the horizon as the season continues.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->