2021 Chicago Sun-Times All-Area basketball teamon April 1, 2021 at 2:44 pm 2024 Events Concerts Things To Do

Robbie Avila, Oak Forest, 6-8, F, Jr.

Mulit-dimensional big man with a terrific feel for the game. Averaged 25.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and three assists. Set a school record with 42 points against Tinley Park and with 21 rebounds against Richards. Is on pace to break school’s all-time scoring record despite COVID-19 shortened season.

Isaiah Barnes, Simeon, 6-7, G, Sr.

Michigan recruit. All-City selection. Took his game to a new level after transferring from Oak Park, developing into a consistent three-point threat. Averaged 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists. One of the area’s best athletes capable of taking over games for long stretches. Helped Wolverines to 9-1 record and first-place finish in Red-South/Central.

Timaris Brown, St. Patrick, 6-5, F, Jr.

All-City selection. Averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals despite deferring to senior teammates. Impressive shooting long range and getting to the basket. Helped lead Shamrocks to 8-3 season and invitation to the Chipotle Clash of Champions.

AJ Casey, Young, 6-8, F, Jr.

All-City and two-time All-Area selection. Didn’t miss a beat after transferring back to the Public League from Tinley Park. One of the top 30 players in the national Class of 2021 and has offers from a dozen major college programs including Ohio State, Kansas, Michigan, Gonzaga and Illinois.

Max Christie, Rolling Meadows, 6-7, G, Sr.

Michigan State recruit. McDonald’s All-American and Sun-Times Player of the Year. Three-time All-Area selection. Averaged 24 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks. All-time leading scorer in school and Mid-Suburban League history with more than 2,000 points. Led Mustangs to MSL title and 15-0 season.

Kam Craft, Buffalo Grove, 6-5, G, Jr.

Two-time All-Area selection. Averaged 27.1 points, a school record. Also led the team in rebounds (7.4) and steals (2.9). Shot 53% from the field and 41% from three. Has scored 1,694 points in his career. Currently has offers from Maryland, Nebraska, Xavier, DePaul and more.

Conor Enright, Mundelein, 6-2, G, Sr.

Drake recruit. Dynamic, always active guard that partnered with SIU recruit Scottie Ebube to lead Mustangs to 43-6 record the last two seasons. Averaged 14.5 points, six rebounds, four assists and shot 46% from three. Led team to North Suburban Conference title and a spot in the Chipotle Clash of Champions.

Brandon Hall, Thornton, 6-4, G, Sr.

East Tennessee State recruit. Strong and athletic force that helped lead the Wildcats to two extremely successful seasons, including a run to the sectional finals last season cut short by COVID-19. Excellent three-point shooter and a rebounding force despite playing mostly on the perimeter. Averaged 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Chaz Harvey, Brooks, 6-2, G, Sr.

Uncommitted. All-City selection. Smart, smooth guard broke out of the shadows of the White Division to lead the Eagles to a fourth-place finish in the powerful Red-South/Central. Averaged 20 points, 6.8 rebounds and two steals. Scored 25 against Simeon, 29 against Corliss and 27 against Curie.

Bryce Hopkins, Fenwick, 6-6, G, Sr.

Kentucky recruit. Two-time All-Area selection. Lawless Award winner in Catholic League. Averaged 24.4 points, 12.5 rebounds, three assists, 1.8 steals, 1.5 blocks and shot 59%. Made game-winning plays in the final minute against DePaul Prep, Loyola, St. Ignatius and Leo.

Braden Huff, Glenbard West, 6-10, F, Jr.

Emerged as one of the state’s most dominant all-around players. Put up 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 blocks while averaging just 22 minutes a game. Led Hilltoppers to 16-1 season and West Suburban Silver co-championship.

TY Johnson, DePaul Prep, 6-2, G, Sr.

Loyola recruit. Two-time All-Area selection. All-City selection. Led Rams to Chipotle Clash of Champions tournament title. Averaged 20.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.9 steals and shot 51%. The undisputed leader and top player on the area’s top-ranked team.

Louis Lesmond, Notre Dame, 6-5, F, Sr.

Harvard recruit. East Suburban Catholic Player of the Year. Led Dons to 15-3 season. Averaged 17.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and two assists. Was a dominant force on defense as well, regularly shutting down the opposition’s best guard or wing player.

Nick Martinelli, Glenbrook South, 6-7, F, Jr.

Stepped into his older brother Dom’s shoes as an all-around star and All-Area selection. Led Titans to 16-2 season. Averaged 21.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting an incredible 67.5% from the field and 57.7% from three.

Blake Peters, Evanston, 6-1, G, Sr.

Princeton recruit. Leading scorer in school history with 1,585 points. Key factor in the Wildkits’ incredible run over the past four seasons. Averaged 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Made national headlines with his 3/4 court buzzer-beater as a freshman, one of several game-winners in his career.

Ethan Roberts, Hersey, 6-5, G, Sr.

Uncommitted. Emerged as a star player in the Mid-Suburban League after one season of adjusting to the league after transferring from Memphis. Averaged 20.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Led Huskies to 13-3 season.

Julius Rollins, Hillcrest, 6-6, F, Sr.

Recently decommitted from Kent State. Averaged 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 steals in limited minutes on a squad loaded with potential Division I players. Led Hawks to 13-0 season and South Suburban Blue title.

Jaden Schutt, Yorkville Christian, 6-4, G, Jr.

Widely regarded as one of the state’s best shooters, Schutt improved in all facets this season including playmaking and attacking the rim. Averaged 26.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.6 steals. Shot 55% from the field and 40% from three.

Ben Schwieger, Waubonsie Valley, 6-5, G, Sr.

Loyola recruit. One of the state’s most efficient players, averaging 17 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks while shooting 67.1% from the field and 48.6% from three with a 2-1 assist to turnover ratio.

JJ Taylor, Kenwood, 6-8, G, So.

The state’s top-ranked sophomore became a legitimate star this season, averaging 28.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks. Teamed with fellow sophomores Darrin Ames and Davius Loury to lead a very young team with a first-year head coach to 12-2 overall record and third place in the rugged Red-South Central.

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