Picking the best in several categories before the high school basketball season tips off

High School Hoops Preseason Power Rankings: A Closer Look

The high school basketball season is about to tip off, leaving fans eager to see who will reign supreme. Before the games begin, let's take a closer look at some of the top teams and players in Illinois.

Top Team: DePaul Prep
Consistently ranked as the number one team, DePaul Prep has established itself as a powerhouse with its winning culture and returning talent. The consensus is that they are the best team to beat this season.

Top Player: Jaxson Davis (Warren)
No debate can be made about who's the top player in the state - it's Davis. As a sophomore, he showed remarkable growth and potential for the future. This year, fans will get to see him take his game to new heights.

Top Scorer: Cole Kelly (Neuqua Valley)
Kelly's unique combination of size, skill, and shooting prowess make him nearly unbeatable on the court. With the ability to score from anywhere on the floor, he is a matchup nightmare for opponents.

Young Prospect to Watch: Brady Pettigrew (Bolingbrook)
Pettigrew has all the makings of a top talent - impressive length, athleticism, and skill set. His potential is undeniable, making him the most intriguing young prospect in Illinois.

Best Rebounder: Rashaun Porter (DePaul Prep)
Porter's tenacity and powerful hands make him stand out from the rest. He consistently gobbles up rebounds at both ends of the court, showcasing his edge on the defensive side as well.

Most Versatile Player: Lincoln Williams (Kankakee)
Williams' diverse skill set - playmaking, ball handling, slashing, rebounding, and scoring - make him a tantalizing prospect to watch. This versatility sets him apart from other players.

Defensive Specialist: Jordan Williams (Fremd)
With his ability to guard multiple positions and his passion for the defensive side of the game, Williams is a force to be reckoned with on defense. His overall physical profile makes him a top contender in this category.

Best Shooter: Michael Nee (Glenbard East)
Nee's impressive range and shooting efficiency make him a standout shooter in Illinois high school basketball. He consistently delivers clutch performances from beyond the arc, earning his reputation as a proven commodity.

Fastest Player: Marquis Clark (Young)
Clark's ability to handle the ball with finesse and create scoring opportunities down low makes him an exciting player to watch. His powerful downhill mentality allows him to dominate on the court.

Long Range Shooter: Jayden Wright (Benet)
Wright's exceptional shooting range and ability to score from anywhere on the floor make him nearly unguardable in Illinois high school basketball.

Top Point Guard: Jaxson Davis (Warren)
Davis is an electrifying point guard who can orchestrate games with ease. His unparalleled passing skills are unmatched by many of his peers, making him a top choice for this category.

Best Feel for Passing: Mason Lockett (Oswego East)
Lockett's exceptional passing skills and ability to read defenses make him a top contender in this category. He is able to find open teammates and create scoring opportunities with ease.

Hidden Gem: KJ Miller (Plainfield East)
Miller has been flying under the radar, but his impressive stats from last season hint at what's to come this year. At 6-6, he boasts exceptional length and skill - making him a player to watch closely.

Best Athlete: Stephen Brown (Marist)
Brown's incredible athleticism, size, and strength make him an elite prospect in Illinois high school basketball. His potential for greatness on the court is unmatched.

Late Bloomer: Matt Szafoni (Lane)
Szafoni has shown remarkable growth and improvement this year. As he continues to develop his skills, expect big things from this undersized but potent player.

Best Downstate Team: East St. Louis
With their addition of Penn State-bound big man Jamison White, the team is now poised for greatness. This dominant duo will give opposing teams a run for their money as they compete for a state title.

Greatest Matchup: Warren vs. Benet
These two top-ranked teams are set to face off in a highly anticipated rematch. The stakes will be high with Jaxson Davis, the state's best player, on display.

these rankings seem pretty predictable... dePaul prep is always gonna be top dog but what about the other teams trying to dethrone them? also love jaxson davis he's got game for sure brady pettigrew is definitely one to watch, that length and athleticism combo is intimidating ️

OMG, did you see those stats?! DePaul Prep is ranked #1 for a reason - they've got 7 players making Top 10 lists! And let's talk about Jaxson Davis, the top player in IL! His sophomore season was straight fire . I'm low-key hyped for Cole Kelly, the top scorer... dude can score from ANYWHERE . Brady Pettigrew is a YOUNG PROSPECT to watch - 6'7" and athletic? What's not to love?!

Most versatile player goes to Lincoln Williams, hands down! ️ The stats for Michael Nee are insane... 40% 3PT? That's clutch performance right there. Jayden Wright is the Long Range Shooter King and Jaxson Davis isn't even #2 on that list

Marquis Clark is the fastest player, no question! ️ And Stephen Brown... oh man, that dude is a BEAST . He's got 6'7" size, strength, and athleticism - you can't script this stuff!

Best feel for passing goes to Mason Lockett... he's like a magician out there . KJ Miller might be the Hidden Gem we didn't know we needed .

Let's not forget about East St. Louis, the top Downstate team, and Warren vs Benet - THIS IS GOING TO BE A CLASSIC

I'm so hyped for this upcoming season! The Illinois high school hoops scene is always electric, and this year promises to deliver even more excitement. DePaul Prep at number one? Not surprised - they've consistently shown a winning culture and have that strong return talent.

I'm loving the depth in this team - it's not just about Jaxson Davis (who's gonna be amazing, btw ), but also Cole Kelly, Rashaun Porter, Lincoln Williams... the list goes on! And those young prospects? Brady Pettigrew is giving me major LeBron vibes .

Defensively, Jordan Williams is looking fierce . But you know who's gonna bring the heat? East St. Louis! With that big man Jamison White, I'm predicting a ton of dominant performances from them this season .

Lastly, can we talk about how excited I am for the top matchup between Warren and Benet?! It's gonna be a clash of titans, with Jaxson Davis taking on Jayden Wright in what promises to be an epic battle. Bring it on!

I gotta say, I'm super hyped for this upcoming season! DePaul Prep is looking solid as #1, but I think Warren is gonna give 'em a run for their money . Cole Kelly's shooter skills are insane, and if he can stay healthy, he's gonna lead his team all the way to that state title . And Brady Pettigrew? Dude's got some serious potential ! He's like the real deal.

oh man I'm so hyped for this high school hoops season !! DePaul Prep is gonna be tough to beat, but I love the underdog story of KJ Miller (Plainfield East) - he's got that long and lean combo that could take him to new heights . And can we talk about Cole Kelly's scoring prowess? I'm already imagining those clutch shots from anywhere on the court... Brady Pettigrew is also a player to watch out for, with that impressive length and athleticism - he's gonna be a force to be reckoned with . But what really gets me excited is the rivalry matchup between Warren and Benet... these two top-ranked teams going head-to-head? It's gonna be EPIC! ️

I'm loving these preseason power rankings! It's gonna be so interesting to see how these teams and players match up against each other this year . DePaul Prep is looking strong, no doubt about it , but what's with all the hype around Jaxson Davis? Is he really the top player in Illinois or is that just a given?

DePaul Prep is defo looking like the team to beat this season but have you seen the other top contenders? Like East St Louis and Warren they're both packing some serious talent too And Jaxson Davis is gonna be a game-changer can't wait for the games to start!

omg u gotta see the new season of illinois hoops already!! depeuprepp is gonna crush it this year and jaxson daviss is gonna light it up from beyond the arc meanwhile cole kelly is just a straight-up scoring machine brady pettigrew is the future of illosi hoops btw

ugh, preseason power rankings again how original can you get? but seriously though, it looks like depeal prep is gonna be the team to beat this year jaxson davis is gonna light up those stats sheets and cole kelly's shooting is gonna make people wish they had 3-point range meanwhile, brady pettigrew is flying under the radar but might just become a top talent soon

omg i just found out about this preseason power rankings list and i gotta say i'm low-key surprised by dePaul prep being ranked #1 their resume is solid but has anyone seen warren play against a real opponent yet? jaxson davis is def the top player in state but what about some upsets

[Image of a basketball going through a hoop, with a big smile and a thumbs up]

omg i think Brady Pettigrew is gonna blow up this season ! he's got that intangible quality that makes u want 2 watch him play. and can we talk about Cole Kelly for a sec? he's literally unstoppable on offense gotta see how the other teams match up with these top players

[gif of a basketball player making a ridiculous dunk]

DePaul Prep is looking like a slam dunk winner this season ! But let's not forget about those underdog teams that might just pull off an upset . Anyone got a map to the Illinois high school hoops playoffs?

Can't wait 4 da high school hoops season 2 kick off ! Think DePaul Prep is gonna crush it this year Jaxson Davis is lookin like a shoe-in 4 MVP & Cole Kelly's scoring skills r unbeatable ️ Brady Pettigrew's got da potential 2 be a top talent ! And who cares about da best rebounder, let's talk about Lincoln Williams' versatility

So, I think it's cool that they're giving DePaul Prep some serious props as the top team this season. But what really gets me is how underrated Brady Pettigrew from Bolingbrook is. The kid's got game! He's only a sophomore and already showing all the makings of a top talent. I'm loving the fact that they're calling out Lincoln Williams' versatility as one of the most impressive things about him - that guy can do it all! And, oh man, the matchup between Warren and Benet is going to be EPIC! Can't wait to see Jaxson Davis in action...

I'm loving how hyped everyone is about the upcoming high school basketball season! As for these power rankings, I think it's cool that there are so many talented players to watch this year. Cole Kelly is definitely one to keep an eye on - his skills and shooting range are gonna be a game-changer . Meanwhile, Brady Pettigrew has got some serious potential, but let's not count out the underdogs just yet . And I'm all about that underdog vibes with KJ Miller being a hidden gem . What do you guys think is gonna happen in the Warren vs Benet matchup? Should be epic!

I'm low-key excited for this high school hoops season already! One thing that caught my eye is how DePaul Prep is consistently ranked as the top team, and they've got some serious returning talent to back it up. But what really stands out to me is Jaxson Davis - dude's a game-changer on the court. I love how the article highlights his growth and potential for this year. It'll be crazy to watch him take his game to new heights.

Also, can we talk about Cole Kelly? The top scorer has got some serious skills, and it's impressive that he can score from anywhere on the floor. And Brady Pettigrew is definitely one to watch - his length and athleticism are just begging for highlight reels .

Lastly, I'm intrigued by KJ Miller being called a "hidden gem". He may have been under the radar last season, but if he's got that combo of length and skill, he should be a player to keep an eye on.

The matchup between Warren and Benet is going to be EPIC ! It's always great to see top teams go head-to-head in high school hoops. Bring it on!

I don't know why coaches and analysts have to make this stuff so complicated . Can't we just give it up for DePaul Prep already? They're clearly the team to beat this year. And let's be real, Jaxson Davis is gonna put up crazy numbers - I mean, he's basically a lock for MVP . The rest of these teams are cool and all, but they've got big shoes to fill if they wanna keep up with DePaul Prep's winning culture

deppreciating all the hype around DePaul Prep... they're gonna live up to expectations or not? some people make me wanna question if their 'winning culture' is just a fancy way of saying they've got a bunch of talented kids who are good at basketball, but what's next for them?