The Illinois high school boys basketball 2025-26 season is right around the corner and we begin to roll out our preseason rankings out of the Midwest region.
Taking the No. 1 spot in our first Illinois Top 25 preseason rankings are the defending Class 3A state champion DePaul College Prep, which are coming off a 33-4 season and come right ahead of Benet Academy, which won the Class 4A title. The Rams and Redwings are a couple of the states best, but who else should we watch for out of Illinois when it comes to the states top high school boys basketball teams?
We dive into the Illinois hoops scene as high school football season is still in full gear as we take an early peek at who are the top teams from around the state.
The Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.
Heres a way-too-early look at the top 25 teams in the country according to the Massey Ratings, which ranks teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule and margin of victory, as of Nov. 13.
Needing two overtimes to come away with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 3A state championship over Brother Rice, 55-52, was a thrilling way to conclude the 2024-25 season. Now DePaul College Prep, after a 33-4 campaign last year, is looking to run it back with another talented roster from top to bottom. Leading the way for the Rams this season is Toledo commitment Rashaun Porter, who is one of the states top power forwards.
Right behind the Class 3A state champions on this list of Top 25 teams out of Illinois is last years Class 4A champion Benet Academy, which went 33-5 in 2024-25 and was able to narrowly upend Warren Township, 55-54. One of Illinois top combo guards in back on the scene in Jack Fabian, who has already received strong interest from Division I programs. When looking at the regular season schedule for the Redwings, were already eyeballing a Jan. 24th meeting with Warren Township, a Class 4A championship rematch.
Theres a lot to like about Bolingbrook as they finished 28-5 last year playing out of the always tough Southwest Suburban Conference. The Raiders defeated Benet Academy and had narrow losses to Brother Rice, Warren Township last year, making this an easy ranking to agree with to start the season. Bolingbrook returns arguably the states top overall player in sophomore four-star point guard Brady Pettigrew, who already holds offers from schools like DePaul, Nevada, Northern Illinois, Missouri and Western Illinois.
As we already aforementioned when touching on No. 2 ranked Benet Academy, Warren Township came just a bucket away from winning it all a season ago in the IHSA Class 4A state championship game. Now with another talented roster and plenty of experience, the Blue Devils will be right there throughout the 2025-26 with anyone. The teams top returning is 2027 four-star point guard Jaxson Davis, who recently just received an offer from Michigan.
Round out the Top 5 here is the Evanston Township Wildkits, which saw their 2024-25 season come to an end in the Class 4A state semis, falling to eventual champ Benet Academy. Wildkits head coach Mike Ellis graduates eight seniors from last years team and will need players like senior shooting guard Timi Ogunsanya to step up this fall.
6. Homewood-Flossmoor Vikings 7. Quincy Blue Devils 8. Kenwood Academy Bronco 9. Brother Rice Crusaders10. New Trier Trevians
11. Mount Carmel Caravan 12. Simeon Wolverines13. Waubonsie Valley Warriors 14. Marist RedHawks15. Rolling Meadows Mustang
16. Hinsdale Central Red Devils 17. Kankakee Kays 18. Curie Metropolitan Condors 19. Bloom Trojan 20. Rich Central Campus Olympians
21. Glenbard West Hilltoppers22. Moline Maroons 23. Whitney Young Dolphins 24. Downers Grove North Trojans 25. Glenbrook South Titans
For Illinois high school boys basketball fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Prairie State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the high school hops action throughout the season. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the hardwood excitement across the state.