(MVP) Lathan Jones

6’5” SF • 2029 • Marquette Catholic (MO)

Jones was the most impressive 2029 prospect in a loaded group at We Got Next, taking home MVP honors with his impressive play during 5v5 action. At 6’5 with a plus wingspan, Jones has the combination of size, length and athleticism to compete at a high level on both ends. He is a confident scorer who can create opportunities at every level with his physical tools and has the makeup of a legit Division 1 prospect with major upside.

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• Nationally ranked 2030 prospect Brysen Morris will attend Bloomington High School, he announced via Instagram. Morris is a 6’4” Wing with strong physical tools and a versatile scoring skillset. He will make an instant impact for the Raiders next season, pairing with star 2029 wing Dallas Marshall Jr and a solid young core.

• Jarrel Brown (Normal Community) who is ranked as the #2 prospect in our 2027 Player Rankings, recently announced he is making the move to Link Academy next season. The 6’7” wing-forward currently holds D1 offers from Western Michigan and Eastern Illinois.

• The Midwest Crossroads Showcase will take place June 12th, 13th, and 14th at Normal West High School again this summer as an official NCAA Live Period event. Area schools attending include: Bloomington, Brown County, Canton, Champaign Centennial, Danville, Dunlap, East Peoria, Glenwood, Jacksonville, Lanphier, Lincoln, MacArthur, Mahomet-Seymour, Metamora, Moline, Morton, Normal Community, Normal West, Quincy, Rantoul, Springfield, Springfield SE, U-High, United Township, Washington, and West Hancock.

Recent High School Commitments:

Jackson Bohm (Mahomet-Seymour) → Illinois Wesleyan (D3)

Jaquan Brown (Manual) → Illinois Valley (JUCO)

Tishawn Clemmons (MacArthur) → Rend Lake (JUCO)

Leighton Jones (Casey-Westfield) → Lakeland (JUCO)

Gabe Nicks (Astoria) → Quincy (D2)

Grady Read (IVC) → Culver Stockton (NAIA)

Miller Reynolds (Tremont) → Monmouth (D3)

Dallas Smith (U-High) → Augustana (D3)

Dawson Traphagan (Brimfield) → Monmouth (D3)

Milton Whitfield (Quincy) → John Wood (JUCO)

Jack Wilderman (Morton) → Dubuque (D3)

Stevyn Williams (Peoria) → Illinois Valley (JUCO)

Lawson Zulu (Rock Island) → Illinois Central (JUCO)

Recent Portal Commitments:

Dekwon Brown (Kilgore) → Western New Mexico (D2)

Dom Clay (NDSU) → Lindenwood

Noah Cleveland (Illinois Wesleyan) → Illinois State

Owen Freeman (Creighton) → Auburn

Jonah Funk (South Dakota) → Upper Iowa (D2)

Jared Jackson (Lincoln Trail) → UMSL (D2)

Ty Pence (Illinois State) → Akron

Braylon Roman (NW Florida St) → San Diego

Caeden Terrell (Black Hawk) → Clarke (NAIA)

Matthew Zobrist (Bradley) → Belmont

Top Available Unsigned Seniors:

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6’8” PF • Illinois Wesleyan (D3) • 3 Years Remaining

High School: Normal Community

A late bloomer who broke out this past season at the Division 3 level following a gap year. He offers legit size with inside-out scoring ability— showing touch as a catch-and-shoot threat while finishing consistently around and above the rim. Cleveland has great mobility at his size, solid athleticism, and impacts the defensive end by altering shots. An efficient producer with clear upside, he’s an intriguing prospect exclusively seeking D1 opportunities.

Highlights

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6’4” PG • Northwest Florida St (D1 Juco) • 2 Years Remaining

High School: Normal Community

A big, physical lead guard with legit size and frame who consistently impacts winning. Roman is a skilled and efficient offensive player that plays under control—strong off the bounce, gets downhill with purpose, and makes sound decisions as a primary handler. He’s a high-level athlete with the ability to play above the rim and defend multiple spots. Brings a steady presence, competes, and produces. Clear MM D1 prospect with momentum who holds a handful of offers, most recently from UW-Milwaukee and Southern.

Highlights

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2026 • 6’5” F • Springfield • Frontline

The unsigned senior forward was dialed in from beyond the arc, continuing to showcase his perimeter scoring ability. Peach is the ultimate floor spacing forward with a quick and effortless release. A versatile scoring skillset that small colleges should be in on.

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2026 • 6’5” F • Springfield • Frontline

An unsigned senior hybrid forward who can score inside and out, Peach filled up the stat sheet scoring and rebounding his area well. He has an improved perimeter jumper and excels as a pick n pop threat. Peach currently holds offers from Rockford, Viterbo, and Lakeland.

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2028 • 6’0” CG • Peoria • Peoria Pride

Taylor plays with a physical brand and set the tone early in 5v5 action, finding driving lanes and putting a ton of pressure on the rim with paint touches. A plus athlete with a relentless motor—he doesn’t shy away from contact on either end of the court.

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A rare postseason matchup featuring zero seniors on either roster lived up to the billing, as Delavan outlasted small-town rival Midwest Central in a tightly contested upset win. Midwest Central came out firing early behind two-guard Brenden Carton. The junior poured in three first-quarter triples, showcasing his quick, effortless release knocking down contested looks from deep. Carton led all scorers, finishing with 23 points and 9 rebounds—including 7 threes and kept the Raiders within striking distance.

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Cesaire Bile

6’4” SG • Galesburg • Ayo Dos Elite

A projectable wing who continues to track as a long term prospect with a ton of upside, Bile has the size and skillset that translates on the wing. He is a high level perimeter shooter with a quick release and a fluid athlete that finishes above the rim with consistency.

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Brady Welch

5’11” PG • Moline • MidPro

The conductor of the offense for Moline, Welch has taken the reigns this season as the top dog for a young Maroons squad. He has thrived as a primary ball handler and makes sound decisions as a playmaking guard. While he can score at every level, he is especially confident on the perimeter with extended range.

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Sherrod Clark

6’1” CG • Champaign Centennial

A quick, athletic guard who excels at getting to the rim and converting with acrobatic finishes in the lane. He is also a capable shooter from the outside where he lets it fly with confidence. Along with fellow unsigned senior guard Isaiah Allen, Clark has led the charge for Centennial this season and has scored 30+ in multiple outings.

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Cooper Knowles (6’10” PF - West Hancock)

Knowles put together a dominant showing at the Washington Tournament of Champions, earning Washington Invitational First Team honors after averaging 25 points and 13 rebounds per game against high-level competition. He brings elite length and mobility at the four spot, allowing him to impact the game both inside and on the perimeter. A long-term prospect with substantial upside, he projects to keep trending upward as he adds strength and continues to refine his skill set. He currently holds multiple low-major Division I offers and has drawn high-major attention, including a recent unofficial visit to Illinois.

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One of the best pure shot makers in the state, Blackford is capable of scoring at levels and especially thrives on the perimeter with his quick release and limitless range. He is a scholarship level player who should yield heavy D2 interest.

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Blackford is a high-level scoring wing with an advanced offensive game and the ability to rack up points quickly at all three levels. He creates off the bounce with crafty handle and is an elite perimeter shotmaker, boasting a quick and smooth release. A 1st Team All-State 1A selection last season, he has already eclipsed 2,000 varsity points. With his scoring prowess alone, he’s a clear-cut scholarship-level player.

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1. Leshawn Stowers (Peoria Central)

2. Matthew Zobrist (Metamora)

3. Dietrich Richardson (Peoria Manual)

4. Bradley Longcor (Quincy)

5. Jonah Funk (Metamora)

View Full 2025 TOP 75 + Commitments HERE!

2026

1. Cooper Knowles (West Hancock)

2. Sean Lee (Decatur MacArthur)

3. Ayden Jensen (Tri-Valley)

4. Keison Peoples (Bismarck-Henning)

5. Luke Blackford (Calvary)

View Full 2026 TOP 75 + Watch List HERE!

2027

1. Quinton Kitt (East Peoria)

2. Jarrel Brown (Normal Community)

3. Camron Dunson-Riggs (Bloomington)

4. Tereik Hurd (Sacred Heart Griffin)

5. Owen Kirby (Normal U-High)

View Full 2027 TOP 50 + Watch List HERE!

2028

1. Amarion Smith-Holley (Richwoods)

2. Amir Beasley (Danville)

3. Chase Kasten (Normal Community)

4. Brady Jones (Metamora)

5. Kayden Turner (Peoria Central)

View Full 2028 TOP 25 + Watch List HERE!

2029 Watch List Coming Soon!