Top 25 Seniors in Illinois

Here is my list of the top 25 players in Illinois regarding the 2008 class. This is not a ranking of prospects so potential isn't the only thing considered. There current skill level and how each player affects a game in what I am looking at the most.

1. Iman Shumpert 6'4" 175 lbs SG Oak Park-River Forest (Full Package) - A smooth combo guard with soaring confidence after a breakout spring. Shoots it well, especially from the midrange are. Has the ability to handle the rock and make plays for others but is more of a lead guard than a point. He's a clutch player that has learn to score in multiple ways. Considering North Carolina (offer), Marquette (offer), Bradley (offer), Clemson (offer), and a few others.
   
   
2. Verdell Jones 6'4" 160 lbs PG Champaign Central (Ft. Sooy-No Limit) - Smooth point guard with a great passing game. Shoots the ball well from both the mid range and long range but 3-point shot is a bit streaky. Low level athleticism but extremely high basketball IQ helps to disguise it. Very skilled and handles the ball well. Added strength is a must. Considering Kansas, Illinois, Tennessee (offer), Marquette (offer), Virginia (offer), Texas A&M (offer), UCLA, and others.
   
   
3. Lewis Jackson 5'9" 165 lbs PG Decatur Eisenhower (Indiana Elite) - Quick and speedy point guard with outstanding athletic ability. Quick first step allows him to get to the basket willingly. Good passer but needs to work on finishing when in traffic. He's been improving his shot and when he gets it consistent his game will elevate to another level. Rebounds well for his size and good defender as well. Considering Indiana (offer), Bradley (offer), Purdue (offer), Tennessee (offer), and Dayton (offer).
   
   
4. Kevin Dillard 5'11" 160 lbs PG Homewood-Flossmoor (MeanStreets) - The leader of a very talented MeanStreets team. Great ball handler with amazing court vision. Is best at penetrating and creating for teammates. Can score but is more of a distributor. Plays hard on both ends of the floor and does everything it takes and more to win games. Verbally committed to Southern Illinois.
   
   
5. Michael Dunigan 6'10" 225 lbs C Chicago Farragut (MeanStreets) - Long and athletic center. Rebounds well and is a good shot blocker. Has proven he can hit the midrange jumper and score on the block. Runs the floor better than a lot of big men and has learned to play with an aggressive streak in him. Has good potential. Verbally committed to Oregon.
   
   
6. Ryan Hare 6'4" 210 lbs SF Chicago Marshall (Illinois Fire) - A player you won't outwork. Extremely active on both ends of the floor. Handles the ball well and is a good passer. Can defend all positions on the high school level and has the strength and athleticism to play the small forward in college though undersized. Was second leading scorer for Marshall his sophomore season (behind Patrick Beverly) and led them last season. Also led his team in rebounding both years. May be the most underrated player in his class. Has offers from Ball State, Bradley, Northern Illinois, Wichita State, and a host of other mid majors.
   
   
7. Dion Dixon 6'3" 180 lbs Guard Chicago Crane (Chicago Express) - An unselfish guard with good skills and a high efficiency rate. Good athlete that plays hard. Good perimeter defender who rebounds well from his position. Good strength, handle, and passing ability. Shoots it well from beyond the arch and has the ability to score going to the basket. Has offers from a host of mid majors and is being pursued by a few high major programs.
   
   
8. Brett Thompson 6'11" 240 lbs Center Vienna (Illinois Warriors) - A sizey post with a good jumpshot. Hits shots from the midrange area consistently and can also shoot the 3. Solid rebounder who is beginning to build a back-to-the basket game. Has a reputation of playing somewhat "soft" but has really picked up on his aggressiveness as of late. Verbally committed to St. Louis.
   
   
9. Matt Humphrey 6'5" 170 lbs SG Chicago Hales Franciscan (MeanStreets) - A long guard with a prototypical high major swingman build. Will need to add strength but has a college-attractive frame. Can fill it up from the outside. Good transition player. Very underrated defender that works hard. Improving ball handling skills allowing himself to become more of a combo guard. Verbally committed to Oregon.
   
   
10. Matt Roth 6'3" 175 lbs SG Washington (Indiana Elite) - A shooter that needs little room to get his shot off. Shoots with both range and accuracy on a consistent basis. Moves well without the ball and comes off screens very well. Has a high IQ and doesn't force shots. Needs to improve defensively. Considering Indiana (offer), Bradley (offer), St. Louis (offer), and Illinois.
    
    
11. Josh Crittle 6'8" 250 lbs PF Chicago Hales Franciscan (MeanStreets) - Very wide post player that has learned to use his size and strength to an advantage. Rebounds well and eats space inside. Runs the floor well for his size and keeps opponents off the block. Skilled on the interior with good hands. Consider Indiana (offer), Southern Illinois (offer), Oregon (offer), Kansas State (offer), Marquette (offer), and Iowa (offer).
    
    
12. Stan Simpson 6'8" 215 lbs PF Chicago Simeon (Illinois Warriors) - Another player who saw his stock rise tremendously during the spring thus raising his confidence level. Highly active player. Pursues rebounds all over the floor and blocks a lot of shots. Plays extremely hard and is very athletic. Runs the floor like a guard. Beginning to realize he needs to play aggressive to become the player he could be. Still a bit raw offensively. Consider Indiana (offer), Kansas State (offer), Arkansas (offer), and Minnesota (offer).
    
    
13. Tyler Storm 6'7" 200 lbs SF Geneseo (Martin Brothers Select) - A skilled swingman that has the height of a mid major combo forward and the skills of a 2/3. Shoots it very well from the outside and midrange area. Rebounds well and plays hard. Handles it well for his size and plays smart. Considering Albany (offer), Eastern Illinois (offer), Illinois State, DePaul (offer), Northern Iowa, Iowa State, and others.
    
    
14. Nick Fruendt 6'5" 200 lbs SF Batavia (Illinois Wolves) - A skilled player that knows how to win. Shoots it well from the outside. Does the little things it takes to win. Good rebounder from the wing. A leader. Very mechanical and not very athletic but a prototypical Northwestern player. Will excel in their program.
    
    
15. Jeremy Montgomery 6'1" 180 lbs Guard Chicago Lincoln Park (Illinois Fire) - Score first guard that can fill it up from the outside and beat you going to the basket. Passes the ball very well. Good strength for size. Solid handle. Good defender and rebounder from position. Not a great athlete but a decent one. Bottom line is he can score. Received a lot of attention coming into high school but hasn't been heard from much as of late for some reason or another. Very talented player.
    
    
16. Jeremy Robinson 6'7.5" 210 lbs PF Decatur Eisenhower (Spiece Indy Heat-Municipal Gardens) - An active forward who has the appearance of a guard when running the floor. Rebounds well and is a shot blocker. Good athlete. Can score on the inside and from the midrange area. Has the agility of a perimeter player with the size of a post. Will add strength. A great get for Illinois State. Will be an impact player from day one!
    
    
17. Donald Stewart 6'4.5" 180 lbs G Champaign Central (Spiece Indy Heat-Municipal Gardens) - Long and sizey guard. Decent athlete. Shoots it well from the 3. Great perimeter defender. Can handle and pass it like a point. Great leader. Considering Indiana State (offer), Chattanooga, Tennessee Tech (offer), Oakland, Albany, Bradley, Illinois State, and others.
    
    
18. Jeremy Leonard 6'2" 175 lbs PG Chicago De La Salle (The Supreme Kings) - Has bounced around on the AAU circuit for the past two years. Skilled performer. Good strength. Can stroke it from the outside. Plays smart. Great passer and ball handler. Plays defense. Smooth with the ball. Plays inconsistent but is great when he's in the groove. Very underrated. Considering Marquette, St. Louis, and others.
    
    
19. A.J. Rompza 5'7" 160 lbs PG Whitney Young (Chicago Ferrari) - Recieved a lot of hype as a freshman but never grew. Can light it up from beyond the arch. Handles it and passes it well. Size hurts his recruitment. He's a clutch player who will prove to be the key to a Whitney Young team filled with talent guards. Considering UC Santa Barbara, Howard (offer), UIC (offer), Northern Illinois (offer), and others.
    
    
20. Isiah Williams 6'1" 165 lbs PG Farragut (Chicago Ferrari) - Much like Rompza in his early years when regarding his hype but never really improved his games. Shoots the ball well from the outside. Can handle it and is a score first point guard. Teams with Mike Dunigan in the high school season. Has started varsity since his freshman season.
    
    
21. Keyon Smith 6'0" 170 lbs PG Simeon (Chicago Express) - A sturdily built point guard who is likely to be a contributing role player at the mid major level the day he steps in. Can hit the outside shot and score going to the basket and is very affective setting up teammates and doing the small things it takes to win on both ends of the floor. Strong with a good handle and a high IQ. Will likely give a verbal to Illinois State (who has already offered) as it is the perfect situation for a player of his style and caliber.
    
    
22. Darieus Perry 5'8" 170 lbs PG Bloomington (Team Illinois) - A small guard with a big heart. Very strong and with a solid handle and great court vision. Speedy point that takes control of the pace of the game. Great at defending average sized point guards. Quick first steps allows him to get to the basket at will where he's good at creating for his teammates. Considering UMKC, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Chicago State, Central Florida, and others.
    
    
23. Luke Fabrizius 6'9" 190 lbs Forward Hersey (Illinois Warriors) - A tall and long forward who has a reputation for filling it from the outside. There's no doubt about it, the guy can shoot the ball. However, outside of that and height, he really doesn't provide anything. He shies from contact and doesn't use his size to his advantage. Will do best in a slow-paced system such as Northwestern or Northern Iowa. Considering California, DePaul, Dayton, Indiana, Marquette, Iowa State, Northwestern, Creighton, and Albany who have all offered. Also considering a few other high majors.
    
    
24. Byron Woods 6'7" 205 lbs PF Proviso West (Chicago Ferrari) - Extremely athletic forward that is highly active on the floor. Good rebounder that pursues the ball. Great shot blocker. Runs the floor well and plays hard. A player with a will to win. Improving his offensive skills as they are raw. Will be good if developed at the midmajor level.
    
    
25. Aaron Garriott 6'3" 165 lbs Guard Bloomington Central Catholic (Team Illinois) - Skilled combo guard with good athleticism. Shoots it very well from the 3 and midrange area. Handles it well and is a great passer. Has the ability to create his own shots. Needs to improve defense and decision making. Considering Southern Illinois-Edwardsville (offer), Denver (offer), North Dakota (offer), and others.