From Chicago Sun-Times · · 3m
Braden Huff still leads Illinois’ 2022 class
Four years later, Illinois’ 2022 boys basketball class looks deeper, stranger and more proven than its old rankings suggested.
In brief
Four years later, Illinois’ 2022 boys basketball class looks deeper, stranger and more proven than its old rankings suggested. The class aged well, but college production reshuffled nearly everyone behind Braden Huff. Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
Eligibility gets messy
Most Illinois 2022 recruits should be done with college ball, but redshirts, injuries and the NCAA five-for-five rule have kept several careers alive.
“Most men’s basketball players from Illinois in the high school Class of 2022 have used up their NCAA eligibility”
One major omission
Ty Rodgers is left out of the rerank. The former Thornton star was once No. 2 and might still be top five, but major injuries changed his path.
“devastating injuries that changed his career trajectory”
Huff stays first
Braden Huff keeps the No. 1 spot. Injuries limited him, but 17.8 points and 5.6 rebounds at Gonzaga make the Glenbard West forward hard to move.
“a big final season is expected”
Martinelli rockets up
Nick Martinelli rises from No. 8 to No. 2. After switching from Elon to Northwestern, he twice led the Big Ten in scoring and finished with 1,787 points.
“quieted doubters after switching to NU and the Big Ten”
Avila became a name
Robbie Avila jumps from No. 10 to No. 3. The Oak Forest big man became a fan favorite while nearing 2,000 points at Indiana State and Saint Louis.
“became a bit of a sensation”
Pierce keeps climbing
Caden Pierce lands at No. 4 after an Ivy League Player of the Year award, more than 1,000 points and an NCAA Tournament run before his Purdue finish.
“still has his final season left at Purdue”
Johnson dazzled late
Tavari Johnson moves to No. 5. The Lyons guard led the MAC with 19.7 points per game while powering Akron to the NCAA Tournament.
“dazzled the last two years in the MAC”
Cleveland stuffed every column
Zach Cleveland checks in at No. 6. The 6-7 forward piled up 1,220 points, 749 rebounds and 569 assists, then won Conference USA Player of the Year.
“an absolute stat-sheet stuffer”
Benson earned another year
NJ Benson is No. 7. After Missouri State and DePaul, the 6-8 big man averaged 11.7 points and 7.6 rebounds and is lined up for Georgetown.
“penciled in for an extra year at Georgetown”
Quinn broke out
Jalen Quinn falls one spot to No. 8, but his late jump was real. After three quiet Loyola seasons, he led the Missouri Valley at Drake with 19.7 points per game.
“exploded as a senior at Drake”
Durkin found traction
Bobby Durkin rises to No. 9. After prep school and two useful Davidson seasons, the Glenbard West forward averaged 10.2 points at Minnesota.
“solid production at Davidson for two seasons”
Noard was overlooked
Cooper Noard moves from No. 18 to No. 10. The Glenbrook South guard led the Ivy League in scoring at Cornell with 18.7 points per game.
“a somewhat overlooked career in the Ivy League”
Schutt slides down
Jaden Schutt drops from No. 3 to No. 11. He went from Duke to Virginia Tech and now Kansas State, averaging 7.7 points in each of the last two ACC seasons.
“will finish his career at Kansas State”
Amos had stops and starts
Xavier Amos rounds it out at No. 12. Injuries and transfers shaped his route from NIU to Wisconsin to Loyola, where he averaged 11.1 points in 19 games.
“a topsy-turvy college career”
The short version
The class aged well, but college production reshuffled nearly everyone behind Braden Huff.
