So much has changed in the recruitment of high school basketball players. In particular, college coaches have shifted their focus, putting more importance on the transfer portal in the spring than the fall signing period.
But for players who are committed to and signing with Division I programs during the early signing period, which starts Wednesday and ends Nov. 19, it’s still an important and proud time. Here’s a rundown of the top recruiting stories from the Class of 2026.
MAC school nabs biggest recruiting win
Mid-major programs around the country crossed their fingers that DePaul Prep power forward Rashaun Porter wouldn’t receive any high-major offers as he continued to move up recruiting lists with his spring and summer play. When the dust settled, Toledo coach Tod Kowalczyk and the Rockets were the fortunate ones. The Mid-American Conference school secured a commitment from Porter, the No. 4 ranked senior in the state, in September. His physical presence, combined with a winning attitude and strong production, should get him on the floor early and often as a freshman.
Ivy League presence
Recruiting Illinois, especially the Chicago area, has been fruitful for Ivy League schools in recent years, including this one, with five players headed to the Ivy League.
The headliner of that group is New Trier guard Christopher Kirkpatrick, who’s committed to Prince-ton after averaging 22 points and six assists a game as a junior. Forward Chris Bolte of St. Ignatius is Yale-bound, while DePaul Prep point guard Rykan Woo landed at Brown; each had a breakout season a year ago in the Chicago Catholic League. Kirkpatrick, Bolte and Woo are all ranked among the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s top 15 senior prospects in the state.
In addition, Loyola point guard Trey Williams and Deerfield big man Jake Pollack will play at Cornell and Dartmouth, respectively.
Redbirds still focusing in-state
Coach Ryan Pedon and Illinois State have two Illinois-grown freshmen on the roster this fall — guard Ty’Reek Coleman (Waubonsie Valley), who scored 24 points in his second college game last weekend, and forward Nick Allen (Bradley-Bourbonnais). They’ve also secured two more local products: Versatile 6-5 Fremd forward Jordan Williams and 6-8 Lane forward Matt Szafoni.
Best of the unsigned
The top-ranked player in the senior class, East St. Louis forward Jamison White, will sign with Penn State. But the No. 2 prospect, Kankakee guard Lincoln Williams, hasn’t yet made a decision. Barring a serious change of direction, he won’t sign this week and will play the early months of this season as the top uncommitted player in the state for one of its top teams.
By the numbers
Although it’s still a possibility Williams joins the list of high-major recruits out of Illi-nois, that list will be short. Counting White — who transferred to East St. Louis from St. Louis over the summer — Oswego East guard Mason Lockett (DePaul) and Young guard Marquis Clark (Tennessee), only three players are committed to high-major schools.
Across Illinois, 20 are committed to Division I programs, with several more expected. Last year, 28 Illinois players signed with Division I schools. Two years ago, there were 25.