2017 IHSA Boys BBall Teams and Players to Watch

Posted on December 29, 2017. Filed under: Basketball, Boys High School Basketball, High School Basketball | Tags: 2017 IHSA Boys BBall Teams and Players to Watch, Adam Miller, AJ Nixon, Amateur Sports, Amateur Sports Magazine, Amateur Sports News Network, AmateurSports365, ASNN365, Ayo Dosunmu, Billy Bruce, Bloom, Bolingbrook, Cam Bartman, Camron Donatlan, Damari Nixon, DJ Steward, Eddie Creal, Fenwick, Fred Cleveland, Hillcrest, IHSA, Illinois High School Association, Jared Crutcher, Jeremiah Oden, Joel Watts, Joliet Central, Joliet West, Jordan Matthews, Joseph Yesufu, Kaleb Thornton, Kenyon Duling, Landen Gladney, Leo, Lincoln-Way East, Mike O’Laughlin, Morgan Park, Orlando Allen, Pres Ro, Prez Ro, Sam Daniels, Sam Shafer, St. Rita, Tamell Pearson, Traevon Brown, Tyler Cochran, West Aurora |

Who’s the hot team and players to watch this season?

December 2017

compiled by Prez Ro
follow back at @PrezRo365

We have compiled our list and here is how it plays out…

Building Men & Women via Athletics

1. MORGAN PARK: Phenom Nimari Burnett moved to California, but the Mustangs are still loaded. They have the state’s best senior, Ayo Dosunmu, and the best sophomore, Peoria Manual transfer Adam Miller. Tamell Pearson, a 6-9 senior, had a terrific summer and will be the primary post threat.

2. FENWICK: Sophomore DJ Steward was a sensation last season. He’s back and surrounded by a focused, talented group of seniors: AJ Nixon, Billy Bruce, 6-4 Mike O’Laughlin and Sam Daniels. Junior Damari Nixon, a 6-1 guard, had an excellent summer. Size could be an issue, but expect the Friars to mount a serious challenge for the Class 4A title.

3. BOLINGBROOK: Junior Tyler Cochran was one of the big eye-openers on the summer circuit. He’s part of an impressive guard trio including junior Joseph Yesufu and senior Kaleb Thornton. The Raiders lost a lot of size and scoring. They’ll be fast and confident but will need to find rebounding.

4. ST. RITA: The Mustangs don’t have a breakout superstar, but they have all the right pieces. Senior guard and leading scorer Jordan Matthews returns. Sophomore guard Joel Watts can play and there is plenty of size with 6-6 Jeremiah Oden, 6-8 Cam Bartman and 6-5 Landen Gladney.

5. WEST AURORA: Most everyone returns from team that lost to Bolingbrook in the sectional semifinals last season. Camron Donatlan is a four-year varsity star, 6-4 senior Jared Crutcher is underrated. Junior point guard Traevon Brown transferred in from East Aurora and will be a major contributor.

BONUS: Lincoln-Way East, Leo, Bloom, Hillcrest, Joliet Central and Joliet West.

TOP Boys Players to Watch in our Coverage Area

GUARDS
Fred Cleveland, Leo, 5-7, Jr.
Tyler Cochran, Bolingbrook, 6-2, Jr.
Eddie Creal, Romeoville, 6-3, Sr.
Camron Donatlan, West Aurora, 6-3, Sr.
Ayo Dosunmu, Morgan Park, 6-5, Sr.
Kenyon Duling, Morgan Park, 6-1, Sr.
DeAndre Heckard, Romeoville, 6-1, Sr.
Jeremiah Hernandez, St. Viator, 6-4, Jr.
Adam Miller, Morgan Park, 6-4, So.
Kaleb Thornton, Bolingbrook, 5-11, Sr.
Joseph Yesufu, Bolingbrook, 5-10, Jr.

FORWARDS
Orlando Allen, Thornton, 6-7, Sr.
Sam Shafer, Lincoln-Way East, 6-6, Sr.

CENTERS
Tamell Pearson, Morgan Park, 6-9, Sr.