Tribune reporter Bob Sakamoto breaks down the best boys basketball teams and players in the Chicago area.
CITY
TOP TEAMS
Young, 25-6 last season; Point guard Chris Colvin is the state’s No. 2-rated senior and heads a program that boasts six Division I prospects.
North Lawndale, 30-4; The Phoenix would have been ranked No. 1, but 6-10 junior Paul Bunch is out until at least midseason because of academic shortcomings.
De La Salle, 24-4; Some consider Michael Shaw the best sophomore in the state, and he is attracting interest from Illinois, Kentucky, Texas, Georgetown and Purdue.
Marshall, 32-4; Class 3A champ dealing with uncertainty during investigation of coach Courtney Hargrays for alleged paddling of student-athletes.
Curie, 22-8; Public League Final Four qualifier will rely on seven stellar underclassmen, led by Wayne Blackshear–whom some experts rate Shaw’s equal.
TOP PLAYERS
Wayne Blackshea, Curie, So., 6-5, F; Inside-outside threat being recruited by Illinois, Texas, Florida, USC, Memphis and Arizona, among others.
Chris Colvin, Young, Sr., 6-2, G; Dolphins will need his leadership for grueling schedule. Committed to Iowa State on Wednesday.
Jonathan Mills, North Lawndale, Sr., 6-5, F; Second-team All-Stater (16.5 points, 13.5 rebounds) is the city’s best rebounder since Young’s Quentin Richardson (’98).
Michael Shaw, De La Salle, So., 6-8, F; Impact player has point-guard skills and can dominate inside.
Darius Smith, Marshall, Sr., 6-2, G; Led Commandos to the Class 3A title averaging 16 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 8 steals.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Tracy Abrams, Mt. Carmel, So., 6-0, G; Paul Bunch, North Lawndale, Jr., 6-10, C; Lavonte Dority, Foreman, Jr., 6-2, G; Crandall Head, Crane, Jr., 6-4, G; Phillip Jackson, Providence-St. Mel, Jr., 6-8, C; Anthony Johnson, Young, Jr., 6-3, G; Terry Johnson, North Lawndale, Sr., 5-11, G; Marcus Jordan, Young, Sr., 6-3, G-F; Mike McCall, Foreman, Jr., 6-1, G; Sam Thompson, Young, So., 6-6, F
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NORTH
TOP TEAMS
Zion-Benton, 32-4; Class 4A runner-up is ready to take the next step behind junior Lenzelle Smith and three other top returnees.
Evanston, 30-4; Looking for a return trip to Peoria after fi nishing third in 4A. Niles West transfer Nik Garcia should be eligible by midseason.
Glenbrook North, 19-6; The Spartans have their most talented roster since Jon Scheyer was a senior in the 2005-06 season.
Warren, 16-10; One of the bestcoached teams in the state returns four starters, led by Illinois signee Brandon Paul.
New Trier, 19-8; New coach Scott Fricke has a young squad led by junior Alex Rossi and 6-6 freshman Connor Boehm.
TOP PLAYERS
Jack Cooley, Glenbrook South, Sr., 6-8, F-C; The Notre Dame signee averaged 23 points and 13 rebounds and could be the state’s best frontcourt player.
Brandon Paul, Warren, Sr., 6-2, G; Athletic Blue Devil averaged 19.5 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals as a junior; can take over a game at any time.
Jereme Richmond, Waukegan, Jr., 6-7, F; Looking for breakout season after he was dismissed from last year’s team for disciplinary reasons. Committed to Illinois.
Lenzelle Smith, Zion-Benton, Jr., 6-3, G-F; Smooth wing player rated No. 2 in his class by chicagohoops. com has made an oral commitment to Ohio State.
Matt Vogrich, Lake Forest, Sr., 6-4, G; Sensational play in July earned three-point specialist (18 points, 8 rebounds) offers from top schools, and he signed with Michigan.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Ben Brust, Mundelein, Jr., 6-2, G; Alex Dragicevich, Glenbrook North, Jr., 6-5, G-F; Nik Garcia, Evanston, Sr., 6-5, G; Colin Nickerson, Waukegan, Sr., 6-2, G; Tyler Ponticelli, Glenbrook North, Sr., 6-7, C; Alex Rossi, New Trier, Jr., 6-5, G; Ronald Steward, Zion-Benton, Sr., 5-10, G; Matt Sullivan, Loyola, Sr., 6-5, F; Dahni Wilson, Maine East, Sr., 6-3, G-F; Markus Yarbrough, Zion-Benton, Sr., 6-7, C
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SOUTH
TOP TEAMS
Seton, 14-15; Early Class 2A favorite has three Division Icaliber players in its lineup, led by Northern Illinois signee Tony Nixon.
Crete-Monee, 12-16; Three high-powered transfers will team up with last year’s stalwarts– Mario Redmond and sophomore playmaker Kentrell King.
Thornton, 21-7; All five starters and several key reserves are back, led by the dynamic backcourt of Jay Parker and Reggie Smith.
Hillcrest, 20-8; Five of the Hawks’ top six players are underclassmen, led by point guard Julius Brown, who started as a freshman.
Rich East, 12-15; Rockets welcome back their top six players along with guard Freddie Lay, a Hillcrest transfer.
TOP PLAYERS
D.J. Cooper, Seton, Sr., 5-11, G; The Ohio signee was the spark plug at Hales the last two years before transferring.
Jamie Crockett, Crete-Monee, So., 6-4, G-F; Gifted athlete who transferred from Rich Central is ranked No. 15 in the state’s bluechip sophomore class.
Tony Nixon, Seton, Sr., 6-4, G; Lights-out three-point shooter drew raves nationwide on the summer basketball circuit.
Jay Parker, Thornton, So., 5-9, G; Another top prospect in the Class of ’11 averaged 16 points and 5.5 assists as a freshman.
Reggie Smith, Thornton, Jr., 5-11, G; Rated among the top prospects in the Class of 2010, he averaged 14 points and 4 assists alongside Parker.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Julius Brown, Hillcrest, So., 5-9, G; Roosevelt Green, Tinley Park, Sr., 5-8, G; Kendrick Morse, Rich South, Sr., 5-7, G; Aaron Nelson, Bloom, Sr., 6-6, F; Shaun Pratl, Richards, Sr., 6-7, C; Mario Redmond, Crete-Monee, Jr., 6-6, F-C; Travis Scott, Hillcrest, Sr., 6-4, F; Shea Sumpter, Rich East, Sr., 6-6, C; Jordan Walker, Seton, Sr., 6-6, F; Anthony Welch, Evergreen Park, Sr., 6-5, G-F
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NEAR WEST
TOP TEAMS
St. Joseph, 21-7; The Chargers are looking to bounce back from an early playoff exit last season behind a backcourt featuring DeAndre McCamey.
Morton, 24-4; After being blown out by Young in the regional fi nal, Luke Scarlata and the Mustangs want to advance deeper in the postseason.
Fenwick, 18-8; Talented junior Wayne Simon transferred to St. Joe, but Xavier Humphrey, Michael Black and Evan Okrzesik are back.
Glenbard East, 12-14; Four returning starters are led by Paul Sanders (14 points, 8 rebounds) and include junior Lee Skinner and sophomore Zach Miller.
Proviso West, 9-17; The Panthers feature Robert Covington, 6-4 Jeff Jackson and Proviso East transfers Tramel Owens and Floyd Battle.
TOP PLAYERS
Michael Black, Fenwick, Sr., 6-0, G; The Friars’ most talented athlete and best allaround player has signed with North Florida.
Robert Covington, Proviso West, Sr., 6-7, C; He was an inside force in the West Suburban Silver last season, averaging 14 points and 9 rebounds.
Malcolm Herron, Downers Grove South, Sr., 6-4, F-G; Rated among top 25 in his class by City-Suburban Hoops Report, he averaged 18 points last season.
DeAndre McCamey, St. Joseph, Jr., 6-2, G; Younger brother of Illinois guard Demetri McCamey is working his way back from offseason torn knee ligament.
Luke Scarlata, Morton, Sr., 6-8, C; Averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds and impressed onlookers at last year’s Proviso West Holiday Tournament.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Louis Green, St. Joseph, Sr., 6-9, C; Daron Guyton, Proviso East, Sr., 6-5, F; Xavier Humphrey, Fenwick, Sr., 6-3, G; Nick Kladis, Hinsdale Cent., Jr., 6-1, G; Brenton Little, Proviso East, Jr., 6-4, F; Kareem Norton, Downers Grove North, Sr., 6-6, F; Tyler Pierce, Westmont, Sr., 6-3, F; Paul Sanders, Glenbard East, Sr., 6-4, F; Wayne Simon, St. Joseph, Jr., 5-11, G; John Whitelaw, Hinsdale Cent., Jr., 6-1, G
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NORTHWEST
TOP TEAMS
Schaumburg, 19-10; Sectional finalist will contend for Mid-Suburban West title behind deadly outside shooter Cully Payne and 6-5 Anthony Iannotti.
Jacobs, 26-3; Although dynamic point guard John Moran is now at Northern Iowa, Conrad Krutwig and Tim Moran return.
Hoffman Estates, 15-13; Should challenge Schaumburg behind Luke Mead, Chris Hill, Kemil Long, Tom Dombrowski and soph Anthony Christianson.
Johnsburg, 12-16; The top five players are back, led by 6-7 junior C.J. Fiedorowicz, junior Mike Dixon and sophomore Mike Dombrowski.
Conant, 20-7; Cougars could win 20 again behind 6-4 Tony Rizzo, Cameron Leavitt, David Trinca and Jim Gilhooly.
TOP PLAYERS
C.J. Fiedorowicz, Johnsburg, Jr., 6-7, C; Perhaps the best post player in the northwest suburbs, he’s attracting the attention of college recruiters.
Conrad Krutwig, Jacobs, Sr., 6-6, F-C; Helped lead Golden Eagles to the 4A sectionals averaging 15.4 points, 7.3 rebounds. Signed with South Dakota.
Luke Mead, Hoffman Estates, Sr., 5-11, G; Energetic point guard is the spark that drives coach Bill Wandro’s attack in the MSL West.
Cully Payne, Schaumburg, Sr., 6-0, G; MSL’s best outside shooter (18.2 points per game) originally committed to DePaul but recently signed with Alabama.
Eric Wilde, Crystal Lake South, Sr., 6-5, G-F; One of the Fox Valley’s finest is a reliable outside shooter who will play at Army next season.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Alan Aboona, St.Viator, Jr., 5-10, G; Jeff Beck, Dundee-Crown, Sr., 6-0, G; Perrish Bell, Schaumburg, Sr., 5-9, G; Mike Dixon, Johnsburg, Jr., 6-0, G; Chris Hill, Hoffman Estates, Sr., 6-3, F; Chris Klimek, Fremd, Jr., 6-5, F; Blake Mueller, Schaumburg, Sr., 6-5, F; Jordan Neukirch, Huntley, Sr., 6-2, G; Kevin Reed, Prospect, Sr., 6-6, F-C; Tony Rizzo, Conant, Sr., 6-4, F
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SOUTHWEST
TOP TEAMS
Bolingbrook, 18-9; Raiders already were loaded with a rotation that went eight deep before Diamond Taylor transferred from St. Joseph.
Joliet, 16-12; The Steelmen will try to keep pace with Bolingbrook behind Anthony Shoemaker, Donnell White and Wesley Powell.
Lockport, 24-8 Class 4A fourthplace finisher will rely on three 6-6 players–Scott Stevens, Landon Gamble and Jake Boyce–and Ryan Callozzo.
Plainfield North, 21-6; Southwest Prairie champ returns all fi ve starters, the best of whom are Scott Vachon, Chris McMath (13 points) and Reggie Lemon.
Lincoln-Way East, 13-13; Hoping for a strong inside presence from Matt Marquez and 6-8 Jon Bartlett to go with guard Cameron Hill.
TOP PLAYERS
Andrew Galow, Oswego, Sr., 6-4, G; Sharpshooter averaged 17.1 points per game and scored 30 in regional fi nal loss to Burlington Central.
Devon Hodges, Romeoville, So., 6-7, C; A rising prospect in the state’s most talent-laden class, chicagohoops. com ranks him No. 19 in Illinois.
Anthony Shoemaker, Joliet, Jr., 6-6, G; Joliet’s best player will be the top priority for opposing teams’ defensive game plans.
Troy Snyder, Bolingbrook, Sr., 6-6, F; When defenses begin to overplay Diamond Taylor, this Wisconsin- Green Bay signee will make them take notice.
Diamond Taylor, Bolingbrook, Sr., 6-4, G; The Wisconsin signee averaged 18.6 points and 5.5 rebounds last season at St. Joseph.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Earl Bell, Romeoville, Sr., 6-2, G; Russell Burns, Bolingbrook, Sr., 6-4, F; Kevin Henry, Morris, Jr., 6-6, C; Matt Marquez, Lincoln-Way East, Sr., 6-7, F; Chris McMath, Plainfi eld North, Sr., 6-1, G; Wesley Powell, Joliet, Sr., 5-11, G; Lee Taylor, Lemont, So., 5-11, G; Scott Vachon, Plainfi eld North, Jr., 6-6, C; Donnell White, Joliet, Sr., 6-3, F; Winston Williams, Plainfi eld Central, Jr., 6-6, F
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FAR WEST
TOP TEAMS
Neuqua Valley, 25-8; Four of top six Wildcats are underclassmen, headed by junior Dwayne Evans.
Naperville Central, 20-8; DuPage Valley Conference titlist returns four starters, led by Northwestern signee Drew Crawford and Matt Neufeld.
Batavia, 21-6; Gone is 6-6 Nick Fruendt (Northwestern), but back are David Bryant, 6-5 Ricky Clopton and 6-6 Jordan Coffey.
East Aurora, 16-11; Sophomore point guard Ryan Boatright heads a cast that includes Trammel Weathersby, William Brown and Jamario Taylor.
Bartlett, 21-8; If soph Jacob Williams, a St. Patrick transfer, is eligible, he’ll enhance guards Luke Labedski, Marc Little, Michael Banks and Kevin Gates.
TOP PLAYERS
David Bryant, Batavia, Sr., 6-4, G; Terrific go-to, big-game clutch shooter averaged 13.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
Drew Crawford, Naperville Central, Sr., 6-5, F; Northwestern signee and son of NBA referee Danny Crawford averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds last season.
Dwayne Evans, Neuqua Valley, Jr., 6-5, F; Big-time talent and the top player in the Upstate Eight is ranked among the top 20 juniors in the state.
Jelani Johnson, Waubonsie Valley, Sr., 6-5, F; Quite a battle looms when this Western Illinois signee (13 points, 7 rebounds) opposes Evans in the Upstate Eight.
Jacob Williams, Bartlett, So., 6-5, F; If his transfer from St. Pat is approved by the IHSA, he’ll display skills that have him ranked No. 6 in the deep sophomore class.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Derek Babb, Wheaton Warr. S., Jr., 6-3, G; Jon DeMoss, St. Charles N., Sr., 6-4, G-F; Dave Dudzinski, Kaneland, Jr., 6-9, C; Devon Hodges, Neuqua Valley, So., 6-6, F; Luke Labedski, Bartlett, Jr., 6-2, G; Dan Lopez, Elgin, Sr., 6-9, C; Matt Neufeld, Naperville Cent., Jr., 6-4, G; Derek Raridon, Neuqua Valley, Sr., 6-5, F; Tim Rusthoven, Wheaton Acad., Jr., 6-8, C; Kevin Senechalle, St. Charles East, Sr., 6-7, C
