Ranked 2026 Prospects Need to Be Talked About Heading into Season

<!-- 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 1!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552475' first='Marquis' last='Clark'] (Whitney Young)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clark is primed to be the top player in the Chicago Public League.&nbsp; It seems he has gone under the radar for many fans and doesn't have the buzz that someone with that distinction usually has heading into their senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552438' first='Mason' last='Lockett IV'] (Oswego East)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lockett is one of the few high-major commits in the state as he is headed to DePaul.&nbsp; We feel like the casual fan doesn't know as much about him though.&nbsp; He is primed for a massive year as a smooth scoring guard that can get buckets with ease from all three levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552625' first='EJ' last='Hazelett'] (Kankakee)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hazelett is an Indiana State commit that transferred over from Indiana for his senior year.&nbsp; The face up four is one of the better big men in the senior class with his versatility to play inside and out.&nbsp; Will be a key player on a state championship caliber team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1435692' first='Rykan' last='Woo'] (DePaul Prep)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woo is the floor general for the preseason #1 team in the state.&nbsp; He is the ultimate leader that makes everyone around him better.&nbsp; It might not always show up in the stats, but he could be the most impactful player on winning in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2839970' first='Jordan' last='Williams'] (Fremd)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams had a breakout summer and the Illinois State commit is primed to see a big rise in his ranking after the way he performed showcasing improved ball handling, passing, and defense to go with his low-post scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552441' first='Josh' last='Abushanab'] (Glenbard West)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more underrecruited players in the senior class.&nbsp; Jumbo wing that can knock down shots, defend, rebound, and has slashing ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552440' first='Adam' last='Anwar'] (McHenry)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anwar is primed to post big numbers as a double double machine.&nbsp; Crafty four with strength that finishes well around the hoop and has touch on a face up jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552445' first='Charles' last='Barnes Jr'] (Marist)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barnes is the biggest x-factor for Marist this season as the transfer from De La Salle brings excellent defense, transition scoring, and a sweet mid-range game to the table.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1874752' first='Kenaz' last='Jackson Jr.'] (Kankakee)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson has been a long time PHI favorite as he can knock down open shots, defends at a high level, and plays off his athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552473' first='Alijah' last='Little'] (Plainfield East)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Little is a pure bucket getter and now that he is back at Plainfield East he is going to put up huge numbers.&nbsp; Really liked the progress we saw out of him this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2403723' first='Thomas' last='Moffett'] (Fremd)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moffett will be a perfect compliment to Williams as the skilled wing can knock down shots and move without the ball.&nbsp; Look for a breakout season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323319' first='Colton' last='Hawkins'] (Carterville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hawkins is one of the better southern Illinois guards in the senior class.&nbsp; Combo that is effective playing on and off the ball while pouring in feathery jumpers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323288' first='Isaiah' last='Coleman'] (Simeon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coleman is a big man that has the tools to be an impact big rebounding, finishing, and defensively for a [program_tooltip program_id='2076046' first='Wolverines' last=''] team that will need his size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2376277' first='Prince' last='McCord'] (Kenwood)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCord is primed to step into a much larger role this season for Kenwood.&nbsp; He is an athletic post that rim runs, rebounds, and plays with energy around the hoop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2454165' first='Lawson' last='Bynum'] (O'Fallon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bynum is going to be looked at as a key #2 option for O'Fallon this season next to Akoro.&nbsp; The East St. Louis transfer brings size, strength, and two way potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552481' first='Rocco' last='Pagliocca'] (Stevenson)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pagliocca is a high IQ guard that plays the game with flair.&nbsp; Excellent passer that sets others up and has a slick handle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2617367' first='Cason' last='Newton'] (Byron)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newton emerged this summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] where he was a combo guard that shined with other good players around him.&nbsp; He will be the show for Byron!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105369' first='Jacob' last='Thompson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1900158' first='Stephen' last='George'] (St. Francis de Sales)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Intriguing front court for St. Francis de Sales.&nbsp; Thompson has gotten stronger and improved since he first put his name on the map as an underclassmen.&nbsp; George is a grown man that mauls on the glass and finishes inside.&nbsp; This duo is one to watch!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2823632' first='Kendall' last='Holliday'] (Curie)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holliday brings something that Curie desperately needs which is a strong, athletic, and high-motor player on the interior that compliments their array of guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->