Illinois Mr Basketball Candidates 2017

These are my top candidates for Mr Basketball this season. There will be a lot of names as it is wide open this season. The players are Class of 2017 unless otherwise mentioned. Here we go: JORDAN GOODWIN 6'3"SWINGMAN (BELLEVILLE ALTHOFF)- This young man is intensity personified, junk yard dog mentality. A killer instinct and a high motor. The St Louis commit is a do it all swingman who has improved his three point shooting, strong finisher inside and a great rebounder for his size. Plays for a team that is defending state champ in 3A and was runner-up the year before so he's a winner. What gives me pause?  They lost some good players, how far in the playoffs can he take them this season? Team results do matter in the voting for this award. Also he's signing with St Louis which is not a Power 5 school. This is looked at also. JEREMIAH TILLMON 6'10" CENTER (EAST ST LOUIS)- HE'S BAACCCCKKKKK!!!!!! He left the state for a year to play at La Lumierre in Indiana presumably to get his grades in order. The Illinois commit has improved his game leaps and bounds and is now the state's best prospect. He has jump hook over either shoulder, can run the floor very well, rebounds and defends at a high level. He is coming off a shoulder injury from the Spring which dropped his ranking. He still is a candidate for McDonald's All-American honors and will sign with Illinois. These things will enhance his candidacy. What gives me pause? East St Louis lost 10 seniors from last years team and Tillmon is the only guy they have. Yes he will get big numbers but how will his team do and how far will they get in the playoffs? ALONZO VERGE JR 6'3" POINT GUARD (THORNTON)- He will be the most exciting player to watch since "The Boat Show" in East Aurora a few years ago. He's a big time scorer who can also get other players involved. He can score on all three levels and is a two end player who can electrify a crowd with his speed and ability to score in bunches. His recruitment is not known at this time and has been quiet for such a big time player. What gives me pause? Will he be eligible to play at Thornton? If he is eligible to play how far can he take his team in the playoffs? Will there be an adjustment period with his new teammates? Also since this will be his 4th school in 4 years(did not play at Proviso West but attended a semester there) could have an effect on the voters. NOJEL EASTERN 6'6" SWINGMAN (EVANSTON TOWNSHIP)- This versatile offensive performer can play 4 positions on the high school level. He has had some injury issues( bone bruise, ankle) in his high school career. He can shoot with either hand and is a devastating offensive weapon at all three levels. He is very unselfish, too unselfish at times and will be playing on a highly ranked team who will be playing in a lot of showcase games this season. What gives me pause? He may not get big time stats because of his unselfishness and he has some good teammates around him. Also will he finally win a Sectional Title? His candidacy will depend on how far his team gets. If they get downstate he has an excellent chance at the award as he is an honor roll student. JUSTIN SMITH 6'7" SWINGMAN (STEVENSON)- This explosive wing who is an Indiana commit has improved leaps and bounds over his 4 years. He is a serviceable outside shooter from three point range now and can get to the rim and finish. He will have to show that he can be "The man" on his team and has a chance to have an explosive season. What gives me pause? His team may not give him much help this year. Just like Tillmon not much around him to help get him deep in the playoffs. He should get big numbers also but will that be enough? ELIJAH JOINER 6'3" GUARD (CURIE)- This swingman is a scorer who has shown the ability to slash to the basket, his three point shot will have to get more consistent. He is the unquestioned leader of the defending state champ in 4A and will need him to be aggressive takeover mode for them to get further again. What give me pause? He has a great nucleus coming back will his numbers match up to a typical Mr Basketball candidate? Will he have enough opportunities to put big numbers up? JIMMY SOTOS 6'3" POINT GUARD (CONANT)- I know some folks are saying who? Well the Bucknell commit can PLAY, he can shoot the three, run a team like a general, good passer and will rebound at a high rate. He does it all for his team and if he can carry them downstate as they did win a Sectional last year he will be in the running. What gives me pause? How much do the downstate voters know about him? He'll have to get to the state finals to have any kind of chance. I would not put that past him though. AYO DOSUMNU 6'3" COMBO GUARD (MORGAN PARK)- The #1 player in the state in the Class of 2018 he can do it all for a guard, run a team, get to the basket at will, a good three point shooter, and a good passer. HE will also defend you all over the court. He's trying to give Morgan Park back to back Mr Basketball's as Charlie Moore won last year. What gives me pause? Only one other junior has won this award(Jabari Parker) and it may be a case of voters telling him to wait his turn. He has the ability to be the second but his team would have to get back downstate in 3A for him to have a chance. MARQUISE WALKER 5'11" POINT GUARD (ST JOSEPH)- This is a dark horse candidate as he is the #1 player in Class of 2019 in a loaded class. He can score from all three levels, is a consummate floor general, and is improving defensively. He made it downstate in 3A last season, they will be moving up to 4A this season. What gives me pause? A sophomore has NEVER won Mr Basketball for Boys and it will be hard to see it happening this year with all the candidates for the award. Hence if he takes them to the State Finals in 4A and wins a title he will get a lot of votes. THERE YOU HAVE IT: MY CANDIDATES FOR MR BASKETBALL. I'M SURE I FORGOT SOME CANDIDATES OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE ON THEIR LIST. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHO WINS IT BECAUSE IT'S WIDE OPEN. GOD BLESS AND PEACE TO THE CREATURES!!!!!!