With all the talent across Illinois, there continues to be great competition for each of these spots with hundreds of players considered for these spots. The first team consisted of Cole Kelly, Brady Pettigrew, Mason Martin, Markese Peoples, and Ed Stasys. 

Cole DuBois - 2027 - PG - East Peoria 

There are few playmakers in the state as good as DuBois. He is coming off a junior season in which he helped lead East Peoria to a 29-5 record and a regional championship while earning himself second team 3A all-state honors from the IBCA. He also earned special mention all-state the year prior as a sophomore. His game continued to grow into a standout grassroots season and should translate to a big senior season. DuBois recently committed to UNC Greensboro. 

Darrius Hawkins - 2028 - PG - Homewood-Flossmoor

Hawkins is the only junior to make this second team list. He had a breakout sophomore campaign in which he was named second team 4A all-state honors from the IBCA getting Homewood-Floosmoor all the way to the sectional finals going 29-4. He has continued to show he is one of the most skilled point guards in the state regardless of class with a great ability to both score the ball himself, create for others, and be a standout defensively. 

J’Dyn Lloyd - 2027 - SG - Belleville West

Over the past year, Lloyd developed himself into one of the top players and prospects in all of Illinois. He has a great combination of tools as an athletic lengthy 6’6” wing guard with good abilities on both ends of the floor that should make him among the top players in the state this season. Don’t be surprised to see Lloyd finish the season higher than the second team. He is committed to Missouri State. 

Hayden Schroeder - 2027 - PF - Wheaton Academy 

Over the past couple of seasons, Schroeder has been one of the most impactful players in all of Illinois. The 6’8” power forward has continued to be a dominant interior player during this time in addition to growing as a shooter. As a junior last season, he earned first team 3A all-state honors from the IBCA. Not only is he one of the top players in the state but also one of the top available seniors with double digit division one offers. 

Alex Sirbu - 2027 - F/C - Buffalo Grove 

While Sirbu did earn himself all-area honors in his junior season, there are few players in the entire Midwest region who grew their game over these last several months. He has proven himself to be one of the top big men in the entire region. At 6’9” with his frame and toughness, Sirbu should be a dominant player inside all season who few, if any, in the state can match up with. After receiving double digit division one offers during the spring and summer, Sirbu committed to Columbia last month.