Sun-Times All-Area boys basketball team

Marshall's Darius Smith (left) and Richards' Shaun Pratl are both on the Sun-Times All-Area team.
(Sun-Times News Group)

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Kyle Cain, T.F. North, 6-7, senior center

Signed with Detroit. One of the premier post players in the area. High energy player, a great rebounder and shot blocker. He helped lead the preseason unranked Meteors to an 18-5 record and second place in the SICA East. First team all-conference selection.

DJ Cooper, Seton, 5-10, senior guard

Signed with Ohio. Four-year varsity starter who began at Hales. Arguably the most talented point guard in the senior class, he has spectacular court vision and is a dynamic competitor. Led Seton to 26-2 record and Catholic League title. Will play in Chicago High School Classic All-Star game.

Rob Covington, Proviso West, 6-8, senior center

Uncommitted. Athletic force in the post who led the Panthers to a 20-6 record and second place in the the Proviso West Holiday Tournament, where he was named first team all-tournament. One of the top shot blockers in the area, he was a nightly triple-double threat.

Drew Crawford, Naperville Central, 6-5, senior forward

Signed with Northwestern. Strong and smooth, he led Redhawks to a 24-2 record and back-to-back DuPage Valley Conference championships. Most Valuable Player at the Wheeling Holiday Tournament and two-time DVC player of the year. Averaged 23.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

Alex Dragicevich, Glenbrook North, 6-7, junior forward

Uncommitted. Multitalented junior led Spartans to an unbeaten championship season in the Central Suburban League North and a 19-4 overall record. Averaged 20 points and five rebounds.

Malcolm Griffin, Hyde Park, 6-3, senior guard

Uncommitted. Led Thunderbirds to a second-place finish in the city playoffs and the Centralia Holiday Tournament championship, where he was named first team all-tournament. First team All-Public League selection. Averaged 17 points and seven assists.

Crandall Head, Crane, 6-4, junior guard

Committed to Illinois. Two-time All-Area selection. Averaged 21.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.6 steals. Third team All-Public League selection. One of the most athletic and exciting players in the state and widely considered one of the top juniors in the nation.

Jeremy Jones, Simeon, 6-1, senior guard

Uncommitted. First team All-Public League selection. His 33-point game against Thornton, when he scored 18 in a row, was one of the top performances of the season. Scored 26 against nationally-ranked Oak Hill. Second team all-tournament selection at Pontiac Holiday Tournament. Averaged 19 points and five assists.

Jonathan Mills, North Lawndale, 6-5, senior center

Signed with Texas A & M-Corpus Christi. Two-time All-Area selection. First team All-Public League selection. Led Phoenix to 24-5 record, 2009 city championship and 2008 Class 2A state championship. Averaged 14 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and three blocks.

Derek Needham, De La Salle, 6-0, senior guard

Signed with Fairfield. Won the Lawless Award as Catholic League Player of the Year. Led Meteors to an 18-4 record and second place in the Catholic League South. All-Tournament selection at the Bloomington Holiday Tournament.

Aaron Nelson, Bloom, 6-6, senior center

Uncommitted. One of the state's dominant big men, drew double-teams from virtually every opponent. Three-year varsity player, first team All-Tournament selection at the Big Dipper Holiday Tournament. His brother Jawan was an All-Area selection last season.

Colin Nickerson, Waukegan, 6-3, senior guard

Signed with Fairfield. Averaged 19 points, four steals, 3.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Shot 46 percent from the field. One of the top defenders in the state. First-team all-tournament selection at Pontiac Holiday Tournament and Waukegan Thanksgiving Tournament.

Brandon Paul, Warren, 6-4, senior guard

Signed with Illinois. First team all-tournament selection at Pontiac Holiday Tournament. Led Blue Devils to 20-5 record. Averaged 21 points, 7.5 rebounds, three steals and three assists. One of the top 100 players in the national senior class.

James Pointer, Leo, 5-10, senior guard

Uncommitted. Most dominating offensive player at the Big Dipper Holiday Tournament. Led Lions to a 22-4 record and Catholic League North title. Three-year starter and four-year varsity player and stabilizing force for coach Noah Cannon.

Shaun Pratl, Richards, 6-8, senior center

Signed with Eastern Illinois. Three-year starter at wide receiver turned down multiple Division I scholarship offers to play football. Averaged 17.5 points and seven rebounds. Helped Bulldogs to 2008 Class 4A state championship. Led Richards to a 22-5 record and South Suburban Red conference championship.

Jereme Richmond, Waukegan, 6-7, junior forward

Committed to Illinois. Sun-Times Player of the Year. Averaged 21 points, 10 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.4 blocks. Shot 58 percent from the field and 32.3 percent on three-pointers. Central Suburban League South player of the year.

Darius Smith, Marshall, 6-2, senior guard

Uncommitted. Two-time All-Area selection. First team All-Public League selection. Helped Marshall to 2008 Class 3A state championship, 2008 city championship, and third place finishes at state his freshman and sophomore season. Averaged 23 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and six steals.

Reggie Smith, Thornton, 5-11, junior guard

Uncommitted. Top player in the south suburbs, perhaps the top clutch player in the state who made many game-winning shots. Led Wildcats to SICA East title, Big Dipper Holiday Tournament title and 24-1 record. Named Most Valuable Player at the Big Dipper.

Lenzelle Smith, Zion-Benton, 6-3, junior forward

Committed to Ohio State. One of the top juniors in the country. Led Zee-Bees to 23-6 record and a second place finish in the 2008 Class 4A state tournament. Exceptionally gifted all-around player who can shoot, pass, rebound and defend as well as any player in the state.

Matt Vogrich, Lake Forest, 6-4, senior guard

Signed with Michigan. One of the top shooters in the state, but also adept at scoring in the post. Led Scouts to a 21-4 record and surprising North Suburban Lake conference championship. He scored 38 points against North Chicago in the North Suburban championship game.