Dark Horse Candidates for Player of the Year

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual subscription to Prep Hoops***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The season is almost here!&nbsp; Who will be vying for Player of the Year in Illinois this year?&nbsp; Today we look at the sleeper candidates to take home the coveted honor in <strong>Illinois Player of the Year Preseason Darkhorse Candidates</strong>!</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>Odds:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15/1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why He Can Win:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lockett is a DePaul commit that has taken a big step forward in his game over the last year.&nbsp; Such a feathery jump shooter and legit three level scorer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2376270' first='Semaj' last='Stampley'] (Alton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Odds:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15/1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why He Can Win:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stampley is one of the top two players in the metro east this season.&nbsp; He has the ability to take over games with his downhill drive and pull up jumper.&nbsp; If he can elevate Alton to their ceiling as a team he will be in the running.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1845350' first='Stephen' last='Brown'] (Marist)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Odds:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15/1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why He Can Win:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown is the top prospect on one of the best teams in the state.&nbsp; Bouncy senior power forward plays above the rim on both ends and the intensity is starting to elevate late in his career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2839970' first='Jordan' last='Williams'] (Fremd)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Odds:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>20/1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why He Can Win:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fremd is a team that might fly under the radar for many, but we feel they are going to have a big season with Williams being a big reason.&nbsp; Versatile inside/outside forward that will stuff the stat sheet game in and game out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552436' first='Karson' last='Thomas'] (Marist)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Odds:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>20/1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why He Can Win:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is definitely possible that Thomas emerges for Marist as their most productive player.&nbsp; In that case he will be in the mix as a player of the year candidate.&nbsp; He is a plus three point shooter that attacks downhill with absolute force.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1874810' first='Jayden' last='Riley'] (Yorkville Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Odds:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>20/1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why He Can Win:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expect Riley to put up silly numbers as a senior.&nbsp; He has been a four year varsity player that has produced at a high level.&nbsp; What we like about him is Yorkville Christian will win a lot of games and he will be the primary reason with his passing and scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2734369' first='Justin' last='Oliver'] (Curie)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Odds:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>20/1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why He Can Win:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oliver emerged last season with a breakout junior campaign.&nbsp; He is the guy for one of the state's premier programs.&nbsp; If Curie is at the top of the CPS he will be the biggest reason why.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125674' first='Quinton' last='Kitt'] (East Peoria)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Odds:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>25/1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why He Can Win:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kitt is a long and rangy central Illinois small forward that is the clear #2 junior in the state.&nbsp; If he can elevate his team to a state title contender Kitt will definitely be in the mix as he will put up eye popping stats across the board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323622' first='Damari' last='Stephens'] (Kenwood)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Odds:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>30/1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why He Can Win:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stephens is the man at Kenwood now.&nbsp; We feel that he is going to post massive numbers as a junior with his combination of pure power and strength along with a good skill set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531961' first='Amarion' last='Smith-Holley'] (Richwoods)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Odds:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>30/1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why He Can Win:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith-Holley is about to explode on the state wide scene this season.&nbsp; Last year he was the leading scorer for Richwoods and is significantly better now.&nbsp; Explosive lead guard with acrobatic finishes above the rim and an effortless three level scoring game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->