High School Elite Class of 2000

1) 6'9" Darius Miles WF East St. Louis (East St. Louis) AAU/Illinois Warriors-: The most uncanny of players, in that at 6'9" he can do most anything. Believe it or not the one thing that he doesn't do often is post up. It is looking like he will qualify for college but will still choose the NBA route.

2) 6'9" Andre Brown PF Leo (Chicago) AAU/Ferrari-: This power forward has an array of offensive post moves that he uses to dismantle his defender. Also, is a great rebounder and has great hands, which is vital for a post player to be dominant.

3) 6'3" Cedrick Banks G Westinghouse (Chicago) AAU/Illinois Hawks-: This lanky guard has a bag full of tricks that allows him to rack up big numbers on the scoreboard. Extremely quick and definitely knows how to win, as he almost helped lead his high school team to a undefeated season last year and over the summer his AAU team captured the AAU National Championship in Orlando.

4) 6'2" Imari Sawyer PG M.L. King (Chicago) AAU/Illinois Fire-: Quick and creative, the DePaul-bound Sawyer is a combo guard that will be better suited for the point guard spot for college.

5) 6'4" Dwyane Wade WG/WF Richards (Oak Lawn) AAU/Illinois Warriors-

6) 6'4" Matt Lottich SG New Trier (Winnetka) AAU/Illinois Warriors-: Tenacity. That one word would fully suffice in describing Matt Lottich's game. Lottich always has his game-face on and plays every possession like it's his last. However, his game is not only about hustle, as Matt can hit from long-range with the best of them and his handle on the ball is capable of allowing him the point guard spot.

7) 6'5" Brett Melton SG Mahomet-Seymour (Mahomet) AAU/Illinois Warriors-: A true scorer, Brett knows how to put points on the board. One of the best pure shooters in the nation. Athletic ability is also present, allowing him to create his own shot.

8) 6'8" T.J. Cummings PF Homewood Flossmoor (Homewood) AAU/Illinois Warriors-: A strong and hard working power forward, T.J. battles for loose balls and garbage points. Also, rebounds out of his are nicely. Son of the Golden State Warriors' Terry Cummings.

9) 6'6" Odartey Blankson PG/WF Hillcrest (Country Club Hills) AAU/Illinois Warriors-: An ideal swingman, Blankson has the speed and ball control to bring the ball up the court, yet is probably most efficient on the wing slashing to the bucket. Has improved his outside jumper to be a consistent 3-point threat.

10) 6'6" Jamar Avant PF Murphysboro AAU/Illinois Elite-: The leader of his team and a great low-post scorer, Jamar has decided to continue his career at the University of Murray State in Kentucky.

11) 6'7" Cameron Echols PF Simeon (Chicago) AAU/Ferrari-: The cities best rebounder, Cameron will fill some college's void at the power forward spot. A solid low-post scorer as well.

12) 5'10" Martell Bailey PG Westinghouse (Chicago) AAU/Illinois Hawks-: Bailey is the floor general for his high school and AAU team, which basically have the same nucleus. Bailey, along with Cedrick Banks, led their Illinois Hawks AAU team to the AAU National Championship against the more publicized Illinois Warriors.

13) 6'3" J.D. Summers WG Quincy (Quincy)-: A physically strong 2-guard who can stroke it from deep. Also, has a very consistent mid-range jumper and is a winner that makes things happen.

14) 6'1" Jitim Young PG Gordon Tech (Chicago) AAU/RBS All-Stars-: Having already committed to Northwestern University he can now focus on leading his Gordon Tech team to a Catholic League Title. Jitim is an excellent floor leader with above average quickness.

15) 6'7" Todd Townsend WF New Trier (Winnetka) AAU/Illinois Warriors-: Declared ineligible for part of his senior year of high school due to a transfer from Morgan Park. Great shot-blocker due to his great vertical leap. Could use some extra weight as he is to skinny to play in the post at the collegiate level. However, Todd is developing into more of a wing forward. Todd will be a fifth-year senior next year as he will enroll in a prep school.

16) 6'4" Al Sewasciuk SG Argo (Oak Lawn) AAU/RBS All-Stars-: Al is able to take over games with his shooting prowess. He is one of the best shooters in all of Illinois. He really shined at Nationals in Orlando as he received second team AAU All-American honors.

17) 6'8" James Moore F Thornridge (Dolton)-: Is acknowledged by Larry Butler, of IllinoisSpotLite.com, as a player who has risen his stock dramatically over the summer.

18) 6'10" Reo Logan C Hillcrest (Country Club Hills) AAU/Illinois Fire-: Logan roams around the perimeter far too much, while not producing half as much as he could if he were in the post. However, he is a legit 6'10" and you can't ignore anyone with his height, long arms and a decent jump shot.

19) 6'3" Frank Richards WG/WF Jefferson (Rockford) AAU/Rockford Prym-Tym-: Very advanced athlete is a solid wing, able to slash to the bucket to create points.

20) 5'9" Vince Greene PG Brother Rice (Chicago) AAU/Ferrari-: Vince has the ability to drain shot after shot from long range, and if you come up close on him, he will just as easily drive by you for an easy lay-up.

21) 6'6" Clint Cuffle WF Riverton (Riverton) AAU/None-: Clint is a good student who specializes in long-range shooting, and is a well-rounded ball player on the court.

22) 6'6" Jonathan Woods WF/PF Thornton (Harvey) AAU/Illinois Fire-: A hard-nosed forward that rebounds well out of his area and is an adept scorer from all over the court.

23) 6'3" Aaron Carr G Lincoln Park (Chicago) AAU/Illinois Fire-: A good floor general, Carr is very solid with the ball in his hands. Ideal player to have the ball at the end of a game as he rarely commits turnovers and is one of the best free-throw shooters in the Chicago area.

24) 6'7" Monwell Randle PF Hillcrest (Country Club Hills): This rugged player will scrap for rebounds and loose balls. An unsung hero for the talented Hillcrest ballclub.

25) 7'0" Chris Alexander C Thornton (Harvey) AAU/Illinois Fire-: Chris burst onto the national scene over the summer with a solid performance in Las Vegas for the Big Time Tournament. He obviously has much potential due to his height. Chris will try to lead his Thornton Wildcats Downstate, as they are one of the most talented teams in the state this year.

26) 6'7" Jabbar Battle PF Crane (Chicago)-: A very physical low-post scorer that can, and likes to, battle for rebounds and easy put-backs.

27) 6'6" Demario Eddins F Julian (Chicago)-: Good scorer, when he shows up to play he's tough to contain.

28) 6'3" Marcus Howard WG Elgin High (Elgin) AAU/RBS All-Stars-: A terrific slasher who knows how to put points on the board. Marcus now has a solid jumper to go along with his terrific first step.

29) 6'2" Dennis Trammell WG/WF Westinghouse (Chicago) AAU/Illinois Hawks-: Ideal role player on this years powerful Westinghouse team. Does all of the little things, and doesn't try to play over his capabilities. Always seems to provide what his team needs at that particular time whether it be scoring, rebounding or defense. In addition, to all of his on the court exploits, Dennis is also an elite student.

30) 6'5" Marcus Smallwood WF/PF Elgin High (Elgin) AAU/Illinois Warriors-: As a sophomore Marcus helped his team go downstate (they lost to eventual champion Whitney Young). Since then, Smallwood's stock has continued to rise as he has played with the Illinois Warriors for the majority of the summer and even attended the prestigious Nike All-American Camp.

31) 6'0" Barry Welsh PG Abingdon AAU/Illinois Warriors-: This quick and strong point guard used most of his summer to recover form various injuries. However, he did play particularly well at the Steamboat Classic.

32) 6'3" Phillip Gilbert WG East St. Louis (East St. Louis)-: A speedy off guard that can score in a variety of ways. Possesses a solid long-range jumper and can also score in the paint or slashing to the hoop.

33) 6'3" Tyler Hackstandt WG/WF Oklawille AAU/St. Louis Eagles-: An athletic and versatile off guard that knows how to get his shot off. Was a second team Class A all-state selection a year ago as a junior.

34) 6'7" Dirk Williams WF/PF Pekin H.S. (Pekin)-: Dirk can play either forward position and has performed very well this year against some tremendous talent in the Mid State Six.

35) 6'0" Mike Kraga SG St. Ignatius (Chicago)-: This superb shooter is one of the premier shooters in Illinois as he continually keeps the score keepers busy with 30-point nights. One of the best 3-point shooters in the state.

36) 6'2" Stetson Hairston PG Belleville East (Belleville) AAU/St. Louis Eagles-: Described by many as a gym-rat. Hairston has nice speed going to the cup and can stroke it from outside.

37) 6'2" Dewayne Williams WG Simeon (Chicago)-: Dewayne is virtuoso scorer. Has meant so much to a great Simeon team this year providing leadership and his great offensive skills.

38) 6'4" Louis Smith WG West Aurora (Aurora)-: Louis can shoot the lights out. Doesn't take a high number of shots and has good shot selection.

39) 5'10"Ameer Watts PG Christian Life (Rockford) AAU/Rockford Prym-Tym-: This in-your-face point guard puts up some of the best numbers in Illinois. So far this year he has scored a triple-double and had a 50-point game.

40) 6'7" John Banks SF/PF Rock Island (Rock Island)-: A versatile forward that can bring the ball up for his team or post-up on the blocks. Looks like he will be JUCO-bound for next season.

Top Players in Illinois

Seniors (2000)