As Editor/Publisher of the City/Suburban Hoops Report, a longtime recruiting service for college basketball programs across the country and a high school basketball publication that began in 1996, there has been an annual 10-player all-state first-team and a 10-player all-state second team for the past 29 years. This is an all-state team that has consisted of all players and in all classes across the state.
Here is the 30th edition of the City/Suburban Hoops Report All-State Team.
City/Suburban Hoops Report All-State Team
First Team
Al Brooks, 6-7, Sr., Rich
An integral reason why the Raptors won the Big Dipper in December reached the 4A State Finals, finishing fourth in the state. Athletic and disruptive with his size, length and versatility, Brooks put together a whopper of a senior season. He filled the stat sheet: 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block a game.
“Al Brooks is the best player in the state who led us to downstate. He’s the most unselfish player I’ve ever coached,” Rich coach Lou Adams said.
Devin Cleveland, 6-3, So., Kenwood
Arguably the top prospect in the state, Cleveland dazzles as an offensive maestro with the ball in his hands. The superstar sophomore produced in a big way with 21 points and four assists a game while leading his team to its first-ever city championship and a sectional title.
“Devin is years ahead of his class as a basketball player. His understanding and feel for the game is remarkable for his age. There was not a game this season where the other team did not attempt to take the ball out of his hands and he still averaged over 20 a game,” Kenwood coach Joe Mason said.
Tyreek Coleman, 6-2, Sr., Waubonsie Valley
The Illinois State-bound Coleman is a dynamic talent who led the Warriors to a two-year record of 58-6. Dynamic with the ball in his hands, the explosive point guard made significant improvement every year and finished his senior year averaging 21 points, five rebounds and four assists a game.
“Tyreek is a program-changer. He’s a special talent on and off the floor. His ability to go in transition, get in the paint, and involve others is unmatched. Watching him lead and interact with youth in our community after every game this year was amazing,” Waubonsie Valley coach Andrew Schweitzer said.
Jaxson Davis, 6-0, So., Warren
There wasn’t much the poised and polished Davis didn’t do as a sophomore. He helped carry a team to a second-place finish in Class 4A while averaging nearly 20 points a game with over six assists, four rebounds and three steals a game. Davis, who will be one of the most heavily recruited players in the state over the next two years, is a two-time first-team selection.
“Jaxson Davis is Warren Township high school basketball. He’s led us to 58 wins the past two years while leading us in points, assists and steals. His game will only continue to grow the next two years,” Warren coach Zack Ryan said.
Phoenix Gill, 6-3, Sr., St. Ignatius
Instrumental in helping St. Ignatius to a 25-win season. He averaged 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists a game. The second all-time leading scorer in program history, Gill is headed to Northwestern.
“Phoenix put together one of the all-time great basketball playing careers at St Ignatius. He led our team to a tremendous amount of success as the all-time leader in career wins. He’s a tremendous leader, caring teammate and has an unmatched work ethic,” St. Ignatius coach Matt Monroe said.
Ian Miletic, 6-7, Sr., Rolling Meadows
Miletic led the Mustangs to a historic season with a Mid-Suburban League title, a school record 30 wins and the program’s first-ever sectional championship since 1990. The Marquette recruit did so while putting up 20 points, nine rebounds and four assists a game and playing his best in his team’s biggest games.
“Ian is one of the most selfless individuals I’ve ever had the privilege of being around. His unwavering commitment to both winning and Rolling Meadows basketball, combined with his genuine desire to see his teammates succeed, is just as impressive as his exceptional skills on the court,” Rolling Meadows coach Kevin Katovich said.
LeShawn Stowers, 6-3, Sr., Peoria
The Miami-Ohio recruit helped bring Peoria High basketball to the forefront this season with a big season, including a sectional championship and 29 wins. He was an absolute force and did everything for the Lions — to the tune of 17.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, four assists and 1.3 steals a game.
“LeShawn has meant so much in getting the program back to what it once used to be. You easily respect his work ethic and grind for the game of basketball. The ultimate competitor. He had to wear an unlimited amount of hats for our program to be successful,” Peoria coach Dan Ruffin said.
Davion Thompson, 6-2, So., Bolingbrook
The consensus first-team all-stater is the City/Suburban Hoops Report and Sun-Times Player of the Year. Even with whopping numbers of 24 points and five rebounds a game, including individual games of 40 and 38 points, Thompson was one of the most efficient stars in the sport. He shot 58 percent from the field, 49 percent from beyond the arc and 90 percent from the line.
“Davion is the most efficient player I have ever coached. He has a chance to be the most decorated player in our school’s history,” Bolingbrook coach Rob Brost said.
Jayden Tyler, 5-10, Sr., Homewood-Flossmoor
The go-to player for a team that reached the sectional championship and finished with 30 wins. He also was instrumental in helping H-F to a state title a year ago. Tyler, who scored over 1,400 career points and is headed to NCAA Tournament team Wofford next year, averaged 19 points, four rebounds and three assists a game as a senior.
“Jayden has been special to not only the program but to me as a coach. He has embodied the new culture here at H-F. He is Mr. Homewood-Flossmoor,” Homewood-Flossmoor coach Jamere Dismukes said.
Matthew Zobrist, 6-5, Sr., Metamora
The golden years of Metamora basketball included Zobrist being a part of 122 wins in four years and a state championship team. He was the go-to player for a sectional finalist, averaging 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists a game. Regarded as one of the top shooters in the state, the Bradley-bound Zobrist made 98 three-pointers on the year.
“There is nothing Matthew can’t do on the basketball court. He is a very skilled scorer and passer, has a great feel for the game and knows how to win,” Metamora coach Justin Dehm said.
Second Team All-State
• Nick Allen, 6-10, Sr., Bradley-Bourbonnais
• Aleks Alston, 6-10, Sr., Kenwood
• Grant Best, 6-3, Sr., Mount Carmel
• Vince Buzelis, 6-5, Sr., Hinsdale Central
• Blake Fagbemi, 6-0, Sr., Benet
• Marcos Gonzales, 6-2, Sr., Brother Rice
• Christopher Kirkpatrick, 6-3, Jr., New Trier
• Bradley Longcor, 6-3, Jr., Quincy
• JT Pettigrew, 6-7, Sr., Bolingbrook
• Kobe Walker, 6-10, Sr., Normal