Good Morning, Illini Nation: 2027 N-G Player of the Year contenders
· Yahoo Sports
Jun. 14—Warren Township guard Jaxson Davis accomplished something only three other high school basketball players in the state of Illinois had also pulled off when he was named the 2026 N-G All-State Player of the Year.
A back-to-back winner.
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It's an exclusive group. King's Jamie Brandon was the first in 1989 and 1990. Then came Glenbrook North's Jon Scheyer in 2005 and 2006, Simeon's Jabari Parker in 2012 and 2013 and, finally, Belleville West's E.J. Liddell in 2018 and 2019.
The difference for Davis? The 6-foot-1 guard, who won as a sophomore and junior, could have made it three given what he was bound to do for the Blue Devils as a senior during the 2026-27 season.
Except Davis won't play for Warren next season. Like a growing number of the state's best players, Davis is headed to a prep school to close out his high school career. An opportunity with newly-found Monarch Academy (Kan.) he couldn't pass up as a bridge to college basketball.
Also on their way out of the state are fellow N-G All-State First Team selections Quinton Kitt (East Peoria) and Amarion Smith-Holley. Kitt, a 2027 Illinois commit, will join Davis at Monarch Academy, while Smith-Holley is taking his talents to Link Academy (Mo.).
So who does that leave as contenders to be the 2027 N-G All-State Player of the Year? These five players have the best shot:
Cole Kelly, Neuqua Valley
Kelly is 2 for 2 on N-G All-State First Team selections following a breakout freshman season for Neuqua Valley and an even better sophomore campaign that helped the Wildcats go 32-2. The four-star forward in the Class of 2028 with an Illinois offer averaged 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals this past season and will be asked to do much the same in 2026-27.
Darrin Laye Jr., Chicago Marshall
Laye was a state champion in 2025-26, helping the Commandos to a Class 1A title. Laye's productivity — and now championship pedigree — should help him gain traction on the recruiting front. The 5-foot-10 junior guard was the driving force for Marshall's state title, putting up 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals per game.
Mason Martin, Neuqua Valley
If Neuqua Valley can repeat its success from this past season and both play as crucial a role, how do you pick just one of Kelly or Martin? The Illinois-bound Martin can stake a serious claim as the best shooter in the state, though, having knocked down 118 last season at a 45 percent clip while averaging 19 points, four rebounds and two assists during his breakout junior year.
Brady Pettigrew, Bolingbrook
The title of top prospect in the state, regardless of class, is Pettigrew's. The 6-3 guard with an Illinois offer is ranked as high as a five-star recruit by ESPN. He averaged 21 points, five rebounds and three assists for the Raiders last season, is a top four scorer on the Nike EYBL U16 circuit and has a chance to make the Team USA roster for the upcoming FIBA U17 World Cup.
Ethan Vahl, Oswego
Vahl was the only one of the five that wasn't an N-G All-State First Team pick this past season, but the now Oswego junior did earn Second Team honors after averaging 21.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and two steals for a 22-win team. The 6-2 guard, ranked a four-star recruit by ESPN, has offers from Incarnate Word, Eastern Illinois and Iona.