We’re on to part of 2027’s the college coaches should be looking at in the upcoming spring grassroots season. Included is a mix of scholarship level recruits as well as under the radar talents.

Arthur Abbey – 2027 – PG – Rock Island

During his junior season Abbey continued to grow his game to be amongst the top point guards in Illinois’ 2027 class. In the season, Abbey averaged 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists to be named special mention all-state by the IBCA while helping Rock Island to 28 wins. Abbey is an incredibly bouncy point guard with great quickness and elusiveness to be a true playmaker with both the ball as well as perimeter defense. The junior has a very good ability to beat defenders off the dribble to both create his own shot from the outside as well as get into the paint.

Cole DuBois – 2027 – PG – East Peoria

While DuBois has already shown his skills over the past few years, he took it to another level this season earning himself second team all-state by the IBCA. There are few players in Illinois who can match his playmaking with the ball in his hands. With his shiftiness, DuBois is incredibly elusive breaking down defenders. The junior is a gifted shot maker with a great ability to create his own shot off the dribble. Not just highly skilled, he is a true competitor who played with a broken hand helping East Peoria win a regional championship this season.

Jeffrey Hassan – 2027 – F/C – Kaneland

Hassan continued to cement his spot as one of the top 2027 big men in the Midwest over his junior season. During the season he earned second team all-state honors while helping Kaneland all the way to third place in the state in a 36-1 season. As well to his physical tools being 6’9” plus his length, Hassan is also an athletic big man who plays with a big motor. He has continued to be a dominant rebounder and true rim protector in addition to growing his offensive tools. With all his tools and upside, Hassan has several division one offers and should be a highly sought after player in the coming months.

Jensen LePla – 2027 – SG – Goodrich

Whether it has been with D Rice or Goodrich High School, LePla has continued to show he’s one of the top juniors in Michigan with plenty of translatable tools for the next level. At each of his NY2LA tournaments last season he averaged over 20 points while shooting over 58% from the field at each of them. This high level of play continued into his junior season when he once again earned first team all-league honors in addition to scoring his 1,000th point already. There are few juniors who can match his combination of his abilities as a 6’5” wing guard with a college ready build combined with his shot making and well-rounded skill set. LePla has already received multiple division two offers.

Nick Thies – 2027 – SF – Abundant Life

It has been a real breakout junior season for Thies who earned first team all-conference honors. This has included averaging 17.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game to get Abundant Life all the way to the sectional semifinals. This included scoring 32 points in a win to clinch them a conference championship and 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in a regional semifinal win. Not only does Thies have some positional size on the wings at 6’6” as well to being a high percentage shooter with good range but also the ability to be effective playing both inside and out on both ends.