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Chicago Public League IMPACT Players

Year in and year out the Chicago Public League produces the best talent in Illinois, and possibly the entire country. The CPL has produced dozens of NBA players, and some current college stars as well. This year the Chicago Public League is as stacked as ever, and some big time match-ups are in store.

Below is a ranking of the 40 players that are expected to make the biggest impact in the CPL this year. This is not a ranking of the best players in the CPL. These players “ranking” in their respective class only accounts for part of their standing in this ranking. The other major factors are; how good their team will be, and how much they will contribute to their team. Some of the more talented players may be farther down because their team will not be good, or because they will have to backup more experienced players.

Pictures- WebSportsChicago.com

1) Mike Dunnigan 6-10 C Chicago Farragut- Senior (Oregon Commit)

Dunnigan is the clear cut #1 player in this year’s CPL player ranking, and makes a strong case for being the #1 player in the state. Dunnigan had a very good spring and summer with Meanstreets on the AAU circuit, dominating national competition and winning a number of tournament titles. Last year with Farragut Dunnigan had a breakout junior season, highlighted by handing Simeon their only loss in the CPL. Dunnigan is a skilled, physically dominant post player that seems to get better every time I see him. He is expected to dominate on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor this season. Farragut figures to be one of the top 5 teams in the state, as Mike is joined by seniors Isiah Williams, Darius Stowers and Marvin Thigpen, who also made the list, as well as a number of other talented players. Dunnigan is committed to Oregon.

2) Chris Colvin 6-2 G Whitney Young- junior

Colvin, arguably the top junior in the state, is set to have a breakout season for #1 ranked Whitney Young. The flashy combo guard had a stellar spring and summer with Rising Stars on the AAU circuit, and earned a #40 ranking in the nation. Last season Chris played very well for a Young team that was amongst the top 25 in the state throughout the season. Chris is very athletic and strong and is an excellent passer, and scorer. Chris is great in transition, and is a pretty good outside shooter. Chris has offers from NIU, Miami (OH), Miami (FL), Iowa, and Illinois.

3) Stan Simpson 6-9 PF Simeon- senior (Illinois Commit)
Stan made the decision to transfer from Leo to Simeon this summer after Leo underperformed last season. Stan is a big, long, athletic post that has potential to have a breakout year for Simeon and possibly lead them to a state 3A championship as they are the #2 team in the state coming into the season, and #1 in class 3A. Stan had a very good summer with Full Package and blew up as a high major prospect. He is committed to the university of Illinois.

4) Darius Smith 6-2 G Marshall- junior

Not many people know about Darius around the around the nation, but Smith is famous around Chicago for his hard-nosed style of play and lockdown defense. Smith is set to be the leader for a Marshall squad that ranks amonst the top 10 in the state. Marshall went downstate last year and finished third in state, and Smith was the leading scorer throughout the playoff run. Darius also finished in the top in playoff MVP voting, while playing along side current Oregon State freshman Mike Stovall and current Marshall senior Ryan Hare (#5 on the list). A very good offensive player and a spectacular defender, Smith didn’t get much exposure last AAU season, but expect that to change this year and next summer as he will be playing for Top Flight. He is a high major prospect.

5) Ryan Hare 6-4 SF Chicago Marshall- senior

Hare spoke out on the firing of formal Marshall coach Lamont Bryant and threatened to not participate in the 2007-2008 season, but he has decided to play for Coach Hargraves and the Marshall Comandos afterall. Hare is a strong, athletic, high scoring wing who can dominate games when he is playing hard. Hare has averaged over 20 PPG the last two seasons for Marshall, and he hopes to repeat that success this year for the top 10 ranked commandos. Hare recently de-committed from Oregon State and is now open in his recruitment.

6) Kenyon Smith 6-0 G Simeon- senior (Illinois State commit)

Kenyon was the 6^th man on last years state championship team at Simeon and this year he will have big shoes to fill as he will be leading the Wolverines; who come into the season with a #2 ranking and an X on their back. Smith will form arguably the top inside-outside duo in the state, with #4 on the list, 6-9 PF Stan Simpson. Smith is a heady floor general with great passing and scoring skills. Smith is also a lockdown on ball defender. He is committed to Illinois State.\

7) Donovan Foster 5-10 PG Curie- senior (Detriot-Mercy Commit)

This quick and athletic point guard will be the main man for a young Curie team that could surprise some people in the CPL. Teaming with star freshman Greg Travis and Wayne Blackshear, as well as 6-10 senior big man Steve Goins, Curie could end up a top 10 team in the state. Foster is a superb scorer and passer, and is one of the top point guards in the state. Foster is committed to Detriot-Mercy.

8) Michael Haynes 6-6 F Washington- junior

Haynes could be the best junior in the state, but he has his work cut out for him if he wants to take Washington to the top. Star senior guard Deandre Liggens left Washington for prep school, and now Haynes will team with underrated seniors Paris Parramore and Jarvis Smothers on Washington. Haynes is a dominant player and possibly the best athlete in the state, regardless of class. The combo forward is a high major prospect, and has an offer from Marquette, among others.

9) Dion Dixon 6-3 SG Chicago Crane- senior

Dixon is widely considered the top uncommitted senior in the state, and the extremely-athletic shooting guard will lead a Crane team that lost almost all contributors from last season. Dixon is a superb athlete and a very good basketball player, and ranks amongst the elite players in the class of 08, and could be as high as 3rd in the next ranking. He is possibly the best dunker in the state, and is a solid outside shooter. He is a high major prospect.

10) Lavonte Dority 6-1 PG Foreman- freshman

The Sherron Collins clone is arguably the best sophomore in the CPL, and the top sophomore PG in the state. He was the starting PG, and star for last years Foreman team that really surprised some people, pulling off some big upsets in the CPL over Whitney Young, Von Steuben, and others. Foreman will be inexperienced this year, but with Dority and his backcourt mate Mike McCall (#18 on the list) they can make a push for a top 25 ranking. Dority is a very good defender and has a very strong frame. Avonte can take the ball to the hoop at will, and is very good at distributing in traffic. Dority has offers from Indiana, DePaul, New Mexico, Baylor, Iowa State, and others.

11) John Taylor 6-1 G North Lawndale- junior

The transfer from Gary, Indiana broke onto the scene this fall in the Full Package/ Illinoishsbasketball.com fall league and solidified himself as a top 10 player in the state for the class of 09. Taylor is a superb outside shooter and is very good taking the ball to the hoop. He can play either guard slot, and will be the star on a loaded North Lawndale team. Has an offer from Purdue and has interest from many others.

12) Jeremy Montgomery 6-2 G Lincoln Park

Montgomery is a very good scoring guard, who will run the point this year and be the leader of Lincoln Park. Montgomery will team with star junior Cortney Bell, senior Brandon Ross and others to form one of the top 20 teams in the state coming into the season. Montgomery has a number of mid-major offers, and will sign in the spring.

13) Isiah Williams 6-0 PG Farragut- senior

Williams will form one of the top inside-outside duos in the state with Mike Dunnigan (#1 on the list) at Farragut. Williams is a four year starter at Farragut, and had a very good season in 06-07. Isiah is a very good outside shooter and a great passer. He is a mid-major prospect with a few offers, and will sign in the spring.

t14) A.J. Rompza 5-9 PG Whitney Young- senior (Central Florida Commit)

AJ will be the vocal leader of the #1 team in the state; Whitney Young. AJ is a very quick point guard who can score a lot of points when he is needed too. Rompza is a 4 year varsity starter and will be the glue that holds this team together, along with Bryan Hall. AJ is committed to Central Florida university of Conference USA.

t14) Marcus Jordan 6-2 G/F Whitney Young- junior

Marcus transfered to Young from Loyola this year, and will be looked upon to play a big role for the Dolphins. One of the elite players in the class of 09, Jordan will be looked upon to score points and get rebounds for Young, and he will often need to guard the other teams best player. Jordan is a high major prospect.

t14) Bryan Hall 6-2 G Whitney Young- senior (Northern Illinois Commit)

One of two senior leaders on the #1 ranked Dolphins, Bryan Hall, along with AJ Rompza, will be looked upon to lead this talented team to victory. Hall is an athletic combo guard who excels on both ends of the floor. Hall is committed to Northern Illinois.

17) Darrell Williams 6-7 PF Dunbar- senior

Williams is one of the most physically dominating big men in the state, and could be a top 3 big man in the CPL. Williams is big, tall, and strong, and is a monster in the paint rebounding the ball. Williams has a nice touch around the basket, and will be bright spot on a solid Dunbar team. Williams is a mid major recruit.

18) Mike Dinunno 6-0 G Von Steuben- senior (Northern Illinois commit)

Dinnuno will take the reigns of a talented Von Steuben team that has a chance to make some noise in the CPL, and comes into the season as a top 20 team. Mike is a very good outside shooter and had a very good season last year for the Panthers. Mike is committed to Northern Illinois.

19) Mike McCall 6-1 G Foreman- sophomore

The other peice of the young and talented Foreman backcourt duo, McCall will be looked upon to score a lot of points for Foreman. McCall is a very good shooter, especially from midrange, and he is lightning quick with the ball in his hands. McCall has an offer from Northern Illinois, and has many other schools tracking his progress.

20) Cortney Bell 6-6 F Lincoln Park – junior

Cortney Bell will hold down the post this year for a talented Lincoln Park team. Cortney is an uber-athletic combo forward who can rebound and block shots with the best players in the state. One of the top players in the class of 09, Cortney also has a nice touch around the hoop and has range on his jumpshot. A high-mid major recruit, Cortney has a number of schools tracking his progress this season, and he is sure to blow up next year playing for Top Flight.

30-50 (In no order)

Pierre Sneed 6-4 wing Simeon- senior

Malcolm Griffin 6-2 G Hyde Park - junior

Zavion Neely 6-1 G Hope- senior (UIC commit)

Marvin Thigpen 6-5 F Farragut- senior

Al Rapier 6-5 G/F Perspectives- senior

Paul Bunch 6-8 C North Lawndale- sophomore

Nick Wadell 6-5 C Englewood- senior

Steven Walker 6-5 F/C Simeon – junior (Northern Illinois commit)

Deric Branch 5-7 PG Morgan Park- senior

Brandon Orange 6-4 SF Simeon- junior

Eriq Harris 6-4 SF Marshall - junior