12 players to watch at the IHSA basketball state finals

When it comes to the individual talent taking the floor in Class 4A this weekend in Champaign, the names should be familiar to high school basketball fans.

The biggest and best, which includes the DePaul duo of Rashaun Porter and Rykan Woo, as well the Benet tandem of Colin Stack and Jayden Wright, are back after winning state championships a year ago — DePaul in 3A and Benet in 4A.

Here is a look at all the players to watch in Class 3A and 4A.

Rashaun Porter, DePaul Prep

There might not be a better two-way player in the state. Porter is a powerful force as a scorer, rebounder and elite defender who plays with physicality. The 6-7 Porter can effectively guard every position on the floor, allowing the Rams’ stifling defense to switch anything they want.

Throw in the ultimate-winner gene and there is a reason the Toledo recruit, who is averaging 16.2 points a game, is among the top five senior prospects in Illinois.

Rykan Woo, DePaul Prep

Together with Porter, Woo is part of the best 1-2 combo in the State Finals. Headed to Brown next year, Woo is a skilled, extremely efficient shot-making guard who provides a significant scoring punch for the Rams with 16.7 points a game and 66 three-pointers.

Colin Stack, Benet

Stack averages 13 points and 8.1 rebounds while converting a ridiculous 77 percent from the field in his super efficient opportunities, but his true worth is as a rim-protecting big man.

Stack’s 7-1 size not only has led to 110 blocks on the season but also shot altering and opposing team’s hesitancy around the basket. The North Dakota State recruit can even dabble in facing the basket as his 13 made three-pointers will attest.

Jayden Wright, Benet

Instrumental in last year’s state championship run, the Eastern Illinois recruit has taken on an expanded role and shoulders a big burden for this team.

Wright is a gamer who will be comfortable on the State Finals stage. He’s the catalyst at point guard, averaging 13.5 points and five assists while putting pressure on a defense with his deep shooting range.

Charles Barnes, Marist

It’s been quite the journey for Barnes, who had a name and rep early in his career. He left De La Salle and arrived at Marist for his senior year, and it’s been a monumental boost for the RedHawks.

Barnes has led Marist to a historical season while stepping into the featured role smoothly. The 6-5 senior provides length and versatility while averaging 17.4 points.

Most importantly, Barnes has been the serious shooting threat this particular Marist team needed.

Joseph Lubbe, York

His numbers are far from flashy, but Lubbe is that guy on a squad void of true stars. The 6-4 junior has quietly put together a terrific season, including coming up big down the stretch of Monday’s dramatic supersectional victory.

Lubbe, who averages 14.4 points a game, scored 20 in the overtime win over St. Ignatius. He spaces the floor for York’s big men, knocking down 92 threes on the year thus far.

Jamison White, East St. Louis

The state’s top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2026, White is headed to Penn State after averaging 20 points and 12.6 rebounds a game this season.

White, who transferred in for his senior year from St. Louis, is a blend of strength and skill. At 6-8 and 215 pounds, his versatility, both with his ability to put it on the floor or do damage around the basket, make him a difficult matchup. He affects the game in so many ways.

Alex Johnson, East St. Louis

The unsung senior guard does a little of everything and brings outstanding positional size as a 6-3 guard. This is a platform for the impactful Johnson to be truly seen.

Johnson will hit you with a three, a pull-up jumper from mid-range or get to the rim off the dribble. That’s led him to average an impressive 17 points a game as Jamison White’s running mate.

Marshawn Cocroft, Kaneland

When Kaneland needs a big basket or a key play is needed, Cocroft is typically the one to provide both. He’s a scoring lead guard who averages just over 20 points a game while adding 3.8 assists.

The challenge of defending Cocroft is that he brings a combination of shooting (70 made threes) and a craft at getting by defenders off the dribble.

Jeffery Hassan, Kaneland

While still raw offensively, Hassan is coming along as a promising 6-9 prospect in the junior class. He remains a major factor with his size and athleticism.

Hassan is a double-figure scorer at 12 points a game but his biggest impact comes defensively and on the glass with 9.2 rebounds.

Jake Pollack, Deerfield

Pollack’s finger prints are plastered all over Deerfield’s success. The Dartmouth recruit was a 3A all-stater a year ago and has been a fixture throughout his career for coach Dan McKendrick.

He’s carried the Warriors at times, including 23 points in the sectional win over Wauconda, while being regularly double-teamed. Even so, the 6-9 Pollack has still managed to average 17.7 points and 7.6 rebounds a game.

Brian Kizer, Leo

A big piece of the Leo success can be tied to Kizer, a 6-0 guard who is averaging 15 points a game and scored 21 in the sectional win over Hillcrest.

Although not an athletic marvel, Kizer is a strong, compact guard. Kizer, who is just a junior, plays at a patient pace that allows him to create separation while also using outstanding body control to his advantage when getting to the basket.