MidStateHoops.com :: Class of 2010 Rankings Released!

Heading the list is North Suburb wing, Jeremy Richmond. Standing 6’5” with a long body, the athletic Richmond has proved throughout the spring that he is the most dominant player in his class. He is capable of playing any position on the floor and is a tough player on both ends of the floor.

In the #2 spot, is someone who’s game any Illinois high school basketball fan should be familiar with. The spot is held by DeAndre McCamey, the younger brother of 2007 standout, Demetri McCamey. Like his brother, DeAndre is a power point guard with a solid handle on the ball. He gets to the lane well and plays good defense but needs to improve his 3-point jumpshot.

Reggie Smith is perhaps the best athlete in his class. He occupies the #3 spot in his class. Smith led his junior high school team to state championship and finished as the team’s leading scorer and rebounder. Reggie has penetration skills yet to be matched by any other member of his class. He has a solid frame and is a good defender but will need to work on his outside shot to become more of a complete player. He should be a key component to Thornton and the Wildcats’ success next season.

You can always count on Springfield to bring you a baller each and every year. The #4 player in the class of 2010 is Karl Madison. This 6’0” lefty is a wing guard who is trying to make transition into a point guard. Madison has a lot of skills and is a very solid defender. He plays hard and gets to the basket well but needs to work on finishing.

The #5 player in the state is Daronte Tillman. As an eighth grader, Tillman averaged a double-double with over 20 ppg and around 13 rebounds at middle school powerhouse, Bloomington Junior High School. He is a very good athlete that can beat you off the dribble or in the post. Daronte is a solid defender and with work on his outside shot, he can become one of the most dominant forces in his class.

6’6” Loyola Academy-bound Chancellor Carter comes in as our #6 incoming freshman. Carter has a very long frame and a solid build for his age. He rebounds well and finishes well around the basket. He is also a very solid shot blocker.

The Rising Stars are led by Jeremy Richmond and Chancellor Carter, but a big chunk of their scoring comes from our #7 rated player of the class of 2010, Ben Brust. Burst is an outstanding shooter from anywhere on the floor. He uses his teammates well as he is very affective coming off the screen for the outside shot. He has limitless range on his 3-point jumpshot. Ben needs to improve his ball handling skills as he may need to develop into a point guard, depending on how much he grows.

Dennis Hodges rates as the #8 player in his class. The Chicago forward has been highly touted since his seventh grade year. Hodges is a beast around the basket and rebounds well. He has greatly improved his perimeter skills and is still improving them as he is trying to develop into a wing forward, where he will be most affective on the collegiate level.

The #9 and #10 spot are held by a pair of feisty 5'8" point guards who went at it at last month’s Real Deal All-Star Classic. Whitney Young’s Ahmad Starks and Springfield Southeast’s Isaiah Hale currently hold the positions. Both Starks and Hale have a very similar game. They get to the bucket well and create for others. They both are quick, cause havoc on defense and can light it up from the outside. Honestly, these two players are very much interchangeable. Hale is the accomplice of #4 rated player, Karl Madison. Both Ahmad and Isaiah should see a significant amount of time for their varsity teams.

Though these are the top ten players in their class at the moment, no spot is safe. Point guards such as Champaign Centennial’s 6’2” power-point, Ravonte Rice, Chicago Foreman’s Lavonte Dority and Michael McCall, Waukegan’s Ryan Walker and Evanston’s Ryan Frazier are all itching to gain the chance to be in the top ten while wings such as Joliet’s Brandon Spearman, Simeon’s Robert Robinson, Whitney Young’s Anthony Jackson and Greg Tucker, Meridian’s Isaiah Jones, Naperville’s Dwayne Evans, Wheaton’s Derek Babb, Heyworth’s Jase Wilson, and Manley’s Crandall Head (the younger brother of NBA player Luther Head) are all trying to claim their spots. Big fellas, including Decatur’s Kendall Kennison, Lake Forest’s 6’7” Robert Wennington (son of former NBA star-Bill Wennington), and North Lawndale’s 6’7” Paul Bunch, are all looking for the same thing.

Because of the talent, only one thing is for sure; this will be a class to keep a CLOSE eye on for the future!