Jaxson Davis Wins Prep Hoops Illinois Player of the Year

While there were several deserving candidates for the honor of Player of the Year every road led back to the same option.  Congratulations to Warren 2027 point guard Jaxson Davis Jaxson Davis 6'1" | PG Warren Township | 2027 State #49 Nation IL on winning the Prep Hoops Illinois Player of the Year Award!

He is what everyone said he would be!  The Warren point guard was looked at as the star of the high school basketball season coming into the year and he did nothing to take away from that with a dominant junior campaign.  When his peers left the state for high profile prep schools he stayed and showed he could accomplish everything he wanted in his hometown.

The criteria for winning this award is being a top player on a winning team.  Being a player that if you took that star off the team there would be a significant drop off in their play.  Coming up with key performances in big games and being consistently their team's best player throughout the year while leading their squad to a stellar season.

Davis checks all those boxes emphatically!  The junior averaged 25 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals per game this year for Warren while finishing with a 28-3 record with their only losses coming to the top 3 teams in the state in the final PHI Top 40 of the regular season.  They won their conference going away and he was the catalyst for everything they did this year.  What separates Davis from all the other candidates on top teams is if you take him off Warren they are nowhere near what they are.  While he has a solid supporting cast he is clearly the go to player and what is so impressive is how he elevates the play of those around him game in and game out.  The junior is the single most valuable player to any top team in the state.  He is an elite leader that is so competitive doing whatever it takes to win.  High level performer in big games doing what he needs to get the job done whether it is bombing in threes, using his float game, setting up his teammates, or being a pesky on ball defender creating havoc! 

In this story we look back at each time we saw him this year with the evaluations from our staff from every time we evaluated him throughout the season.

FVV Classic vs Rockford Auburn (Win 88-76)

The consensus No. 1 prospect in Illinois delivered his first major statement game of the season dropping 32 points in a convincing win over Rockford Auburn. Davis' ability to operate with pace, score from all three levels, and stay poised under pressure continues to make him one of the most polished young scorers in the Midwest.

Chicago Elite Classic vs Curie (Loss 65-60)

Davis is the top ranked junior in the state. High IQ lead guard that makes life easier for everyone around him.  Did that in this setting with his pin point passing setting up shooters and cutters.  As a scorer he drained a couple of threes and got to the charity stripe.  Kid is the definition of what you want as your lead guard.  Had 15 points (3-9 FG) (7-8 FT), 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Big Dipper Rd 1 vs TF South (Win 78-35)

Top ranked 2027 point guard made his Big Dipper debut a memorable one finishing with 30 points, 6 steals, and 3 assists. Davis was aggressive on both ends of the floor, consistently creating offense while disrupting passing lanes defensively. 

Big Dipper Rd 2 vs Marion (AR) (Win 55-43)

Another all-around performance from the state's top prospect. Davis stuffed the stat sheet against out-of-state power Marion (AR) showing maturity beyond his years. He finished with 18 points scoring efficiently without being sped up by the defense knocking down tough threes and finishing through traffic in the lane. Davis also made his presence felt elsewhere pulling down seven rebounds, handing out six assists, and adding two steals. His versatility and poise were instrumental in helping Warren edge out the Patriots and secure the final spot in the Big Dipper Final Four.

Big Dipper Championship vs Kenwood (Win 53-43)

Davis put an exclamation point on his first Big Dipper appearance with a historic championship performance. The sophomore erupted for 50 points, setting a new single-game tournament scoring record. Davis was dominant at all three levels adding 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals while controlling the game from start to finish. A statement win and a signature moment for one of the state's premier young prospects.

Highland Shootout vs Vashon (MO) (Win 82-61)

proved once again why he is the best player in Illinois and a bonafide high-major floor general.  He did it all in this game showing off his scoring burying an array of threes creating on his own.  The euro step was about as good as we have ever seen it as he even slowed it all the way down on one letting the defender fly by.  Shook defenders off the bounce all night.  One of the best pure point guards in the country in 2027 with his pinpoint passing which he showed in this game along with his elite leadership.  Also got after it defensively with his ability to get turnovers.  He had 33 points (13-25 FG) (6-10 3PT), 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals in the win. 

vs Lake Zurich (Win 67-55)

Defensively can really stick on the ball in a tough grind it out manner. Elite lateral foot movement jumping to the spot of where the ball is going which is accompanied with extremely quick hands. Is a step ahead of the play on both sides. Drags defenders away from the middle of the floor after receiving screens to significantly widen the court out. Makes tough passes look simple. Skipped it or dropped it off beneath after driving to fill the assist bucket. Has a next step burst after putting on the jets to get downhill in the break phase. Draws spacing with a quick handle and first step. Has the ball on a string and can score it from 3 levels. Impressive to watch and will continue to garner power 5 college attraction.

When Sides Collide vs Benet (Loss 67-60)

Davis came out scorching hot, putting on an early show with 17 first half points, four triples, and some highlight-worthy assists. Benet adjusted after halftime limiting his looks in the third quarter, but Davis continued to battle and scored in spurts down the stretch. He finished with a game-high 28 points giving fans a preview of a potential postseason rematch.

Border Battle vs Racine Lutheran (WI) (Win 83-75)

It's not hard to understand why Marquette, Iowa, Purdue and Illinois, among many others, have made Davis a recruiting priority in the 2027 class. The smooth, smart and skilled lead guard knows how to compete, how to run a team and how to communicate on the floor. He also knows how to put the ball in the basket. On an afternoon when his three-point shot was dropping at the level it normally does, Davis still managed to score 26 points. He went on a personal 11-0 scoring spree in the first half to give Warren Township a lead it never surrendered, although Racine Lutheran did manage to tie the game at 56 in the second half. Davis made seven of his foul shots to help secure Warren Township's victory.

vs DePaul Prep (Loss 58-54)

Warren was not able to pull off the upset on their home floor on Thursday night.  Their star top 2027 point guard notched 15 points in the loss.  He had a couple sweet moves including a shake into a poster dunk early in the contest.  Used his handles to get loose downhill a few times for scores at the rack along with making quite a few trips to the free throw line.

Once again congratulations to Jaxson on winning the 2026 Prep Hoops Illinois Player of the Year Award!

Past winners of this award include

2016 – Charlie Moore (Morgan Park)
2017 – Mark Smith (Edwardsville)
2018 – Talen Horton-Tucker (Simeon)
2019 – EJ Liddell (Belleville West)
2020 – DJ Steward (Whitney Young)
2021 – Max Christie (Rolling Meadows)
2022 – Braden Huff (Glenbard West)
2023 – Owen Freeman and Brock Harding (Moline)
2024 – Morez Johnson (Thornton)
2025 – Davion Thompson (Bolingbrook)