*All awards voted on by league coaches*
REGULAR SEASON AWARDS
League MVP/Western Conference MVP- 6-5 senior SF Carl Richard- Richards - Lakers-
The Indiana State commit proved that he is one of the elite prospects in the state, as he came in and dominated every time he stepped on the floor. Carl impressed spectators with an array of rim-rocking dunks, and showed his versatility by hitting a lot of three’s. On the defensive end, he les the league in blocks and was one of the top rebounders as well.
Eastern Conference co-MVP’s- 6-5 senior F Derryan Hunt- Evanston - Magic
Hunt dominated every game he played in. On paper the Magic were not a very good team, as they featured zero “ranked” players, but Hunt managed to take them to a 5th place finish. He is long, athletic, and is arguably the best dunker in the league, along with Carl Richard. Look for Derryan to have a breakout season for Evanston this year.
6-3 junior SF Dahni Wilson- Maine East- Celtics-
Dahni has improved as much as any player in the state, and he proved this fall that he can compete with the best. The hard-nosed scoring small forward teamed with Matt Vogrich to form arguably the top duo in the league. Dahni rebounded, played hard defense, and scored a whole lot of points. Look for Dahni to be the leader of a surprising Maine East squad this year.
Top Playmaker Eastern Conference- 6-2 junior G David Smith- Lake Forest Academy- Heat
The high scoring point guard was one of the best in the league at breaking down his defenders and getting to the hoop. He is great at distributing the ball in traffic. A Mid major D1 recruit
Top Playmaker Western Conference- 6-1 senior PG Brian DeSimone- Buffalo Grove- Rockets
Brian is one of the top unsigned seniors in the state, and showed us all why every week. DeSimone quietly racked up some big time numbers every week, and led his team to some big wins with his strong play. He is a great passer, ball handler, and shooter, and is stellar on the break.
Top Underclassman Eastern Conference- 6-3 sophomore SG Greg Tucker- Whitney Young- Heat
Tucker can flat out score. He was one of the leading scorers almost every week, as very few players could contain him. He lit it up from outside, took it to the hoop, and excelled on the break. He will be the top player on a Whitney Young Sophomore team that is expected to win city.
Top Underclassman Western Conference- 6-10 sophomore C Paul Bunch- North Lawndale- Timberwolves
Paul is quite possibly the top overall prospect in the league, as he is tall, long, athletic, skilled, and young. The sky is the limit for this big man. Bunch is a great rebounder and a good shot blocker, and showed off an improved array of offensive moves, including a midrange hook-shot. Paul help the T-wolves win the title.
Western Conference Scoring Champ- 6-0 junior G John Taylor- North Lawndale- Timberwolves
Taylor scored right around 30 points almost every-week, and frequently made over 50% of his shots. He scored mostly on outside shots, but he is also stellar on the break and in taking the ball to the hoop. He is also a terrific mid-range shooter. Taylor could be the best shooter in the state, and is one of the top 10 juniors in the state.
Eastern Conference Scoring Champ- 6-5 senior F Derryan Hunt- Evanston- Magic
Hunt used his big body and athleticism to overpower opponents and score almost at-will. Derryan often scored whenever he wanted to for the Magic.
3 point champ- tie 6-2 senior SG Lewis Brown- Glenbrook South- Cavs
and 6-0 junior SG Shariq Kahn- Maine East - Celtics-
Shariq hit big threes whenever the Celtics needed one all season, especially in the playoffs. He almost single-handedly brought them back in the championship game by hitting two-threes in the waning moments of the game. Lewis came into the league as much of an unknown, and came out as one of the top D3 prospects in the state. Brown can flat out score the ball from everywhere on the floor, and has an excellent three point stroke. Brown is a hard worker and will continue to get better.
Top Defender tie – 5-11 senior G Ke’ Juan Little – Magic- and 6-1 junior PG Kevin Berardini- Lake Forest- Celtics
Two very different players, both excelled on the defensive end. Kevin is a hardnosed defender that plays very hard whenever he steps on the floor. It is hard for any opposing player to get by his lockdown D. Little has very quick hands and feet, and led the league in steals, averaging almost 5 a game.
Top Glass Cleaner- 6-6 senior PF Paris Carter- TF South- Pistons
Paris was just too much for any post player in the league to handle, as his strong frame helps him dominate inside. Paris got double digit rebounds in every game he played in, and eclipsed the 15 rebound mark a few times. One of the top Juco prospects in the country.
Top Post Presence- 6-9 senior C Kamil Janton- Bartlett- Cavs
The Eastern Michigan commit was perhaps the most polished and productive post player in the league. Janton has tons of upside to go with that talent, and should be a standout at Eastern Michigan.
Stock Risers:
6-0 junior G John Taylor- North Lawndale – (Timberwolves)
The transfer from Gary, Indiana went from unknown to superstar in just eight weeks. Taylor is one of the top 10 players in the class of 09.
6-3 junior SF Dahni Wilson- Maine East- (Celtics)
Wilson was an unpolished athlete in last year’s league, but over the course of one year he became a scoring and rebounding machine. A top 40 player in the state and a D1 prospect.
6-5 senior F Derryan Hunt- Evanston- (Magic)
Derryan was much of an unknown coming into the league, as he hadn’t played much organized ball lately. Hunt was dominant every week, and if he can improve throughout the season he could end up with a division one scholarship.
6-4 junior wing Rajsaun “Rossi” Thompson- TF South- (Pistons)
“Rossi” has never been very well known outside of the south suburbs, but all that has now changed. Rajsaun is a long, athletic scoring wing player, and is a definite division one prospect.
6-5 sophomore F Michal Bancszer- Lake Forest Academy- (Spurs)
The transfer from Poland was very, very impressive in every game he played. He is an aggressive forward that can mix it up inside and out. Could be one of the top 20 players in his class.
6-2 sophomore G Charles McKinney- Maine East- (Timberwolves)
McKinney was very raw and unpolished at this time last year, but now he is looking like he is ready to contribute at the varsity level. McKinney was consistently scoring in the high teens and low 20’s for a stacked T-Wolves team that won the title without Charles, as he was out with an injury. Charles is one of the top 40 players in his class.
6-2 senior G Marcus Acree- Oak Park River Forest- (Magic)
Not many people have heard Marcus’ name, as he has long been in the shadows of Iman Shumpert and Danny Barnes at Oak Park. However, expect all that to change as he will start along-side them in a three guard set for OPRF. Acree is a prolific scorer and a great passer. He can play either guard slots and really showed that he can play the game and play it well. Marcus is a solid D2 prospect.
Top Prospects that participated in the League:
6-10 sophomore C- Paul Bunch- North Lawndale
7-0 junior C Kyle Rowley- Lake Forest Academy
7-0 senior C Aziz N’daye- Lake Forest Academy
6-4 senior G Iman Shumpert- Oak Park River Forest
5-11 freshman G Greg Travis- Curie
All Full Package/IllinoisHSbasketball.com League 1st team
John Taylor- Timberwolves
Dahni Wilson- Celtics
Carl Richard- Lakers
Derryan Hunt- Magic
Kamil Janton- Cavs
All Full Package/IllinoisHSbasketball.com League 2nd team
Jeremy McCray- Suns
Sean Croegart-Key- Kings
Paris Carter- Pistons
Jawan Nelson- Bulls
Kyle Rowley- Spurs
All Full Package/IllinoisHSbasketball.com League 3rd team
Paul Bunch- Timberwolves
David Smith- Heat
Matt Vogrich - Celtics
Justin Jarosz- Mavericks
Brian Bradley- Mavericks
All Full Package/IllinoisHSbasketball.com League 4th team
Lewis Brown- Cavs
Brian DeSimone- Rockets
Travis Clark- Rockets
Tyler Ponticelli- Lakers
Greg Tucker- Heat
All Full Package/IllinoisHSbasketball.com League 5th team
Marcus Acree- Magic
Nate Bateman- Spurs
Dylan Richter- Pistons
Deshawn Dockery- Bulls
Kevin Berardini- Celtics
Honorable Mention:
TJ Malone- Pistons
Todd Zafirovski- Heat
Sharrod Wilson- Pacers
Donovan Foster- Pacers
Charles McKinney- Timberwolves
Ryan Frazier-Chambers- Bulls
Evan Policap- Suns
Rajsaun “Rossi” Thompson- Pistons
Mike DeGregorio- Pistons
Cory Hrynyk- Cavs
Alan Clark- Lakers
Jim Hayes- Lakers
Deric Branch- Timberwolves
Steven Rudnicki- Timberwolves
Paul Jackson- Timberwolves
Terrance Towns- Magic
Ke’ Juan Little- Magic
Tim Lilly- Rockets
Luke Fabrizius- Rockets
Matt Sullivan- Bulls
Michal Banczer- Spurs