2017 Chicago Sun-Times All-Area basketball team

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Curie’s Elijah Joiner (2) shifts the ball to his left hand to bank a shot off the glass as Thornton’s Christian Simmons (5) defends, January 14, 2017. Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun-Times

NANA AKENTEN

Senior F, 6-6, Bolingbrook

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Nebraska recruit. Athletic wing with a terrific three-point shot. Started hot to help ignite the Raiders’ season-opening 20-game win streak. Averaged 16 points, six rebounds and shot 55 percent from the field. Hinsdale Central Holiday Tournament MVP.

AYO DOSUNMU

Junior G, 6-3, Morgan Park

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First team All-City selection. Team leader, able to get to the basket and distribute the ball. Nationally ranked point guard led Mustangs to coach Nick Irvin’s first Red-South title. Averaged 22 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and two steals. Dozens of Division I scholarship offers.

RAEKWON DRAKE

Junior F, 6-5, Orr

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Two-time All-Area selection. Second team All-City selection. Dynamic athlete, one of the area’s best dunkers and most effective shot blockers. Averaged 17 points, seven rebounds and four blocks. Key part of a talented group of juniors that led the Spartans to Class 2A state finals.

DILLON DURRETT

Senior F, 6-3, Wheaton-Warrenville South

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Uncommitted. DuPage Valley Conference Player of the Year. Improved immensely to lead Tigers on a magical run into the sectional semifinals. Averaged 17 points and five rebounds. Shot 71 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range.

NOJEL EASTERN

Senior G, 6-6, Evanston

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Purdue recruit. Two-time All-Area selection. One of the top players in school history. Evanston’s all-time leader in wins and assists. Has more than 1,500 career points. Averaged 18 points, nine rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks.

EVAN GILYARD

Senior G, 5-10, Simeon

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UTEP recruit. First team All-City selection. A.C. Williamson award winner at Pontiac Holiday Tournament. Four year varsity player. Helped lead Wolverines to back-to-back city championships and this year’s Pontiac title. Averaged 16 points, four assists and four rebounds.

DEMARIUS JACOBS

Senior G, 6-3, Uplift

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Uncommitted. First team All-City selection. All-Tournament at Proviso West, Washington Invitational MVP. Averaged 19 points, seven rebounds, five assists. Fluid athlete with a knack for coming through in clutch, led Titans to Red-North title and 22-6 record.

ELIJAH JOINER

Senior G, 6-3, Curie

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Tulsa recruit. First team All-City selection. Strong, confident leader was a key member of Curie’s run to the Class 4A state title in 2016. All-Tournament at Pontiac, game MVP at prestigious Marshall County Hoopfest. Averaged 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists.

JOHN KERR

Senior C, 6-6, Grant

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Uncommitted. Rose from obscurity and developed into one of the area’s truly dominant big men. Averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds and two steals. Posted 17 double-doubles while leading the Bulldogs to a regional championship and Northern Lake County conference title.

TEYVION KIRK

Senior G, 6-3, Joliet West

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Uncommitted. One of the season’s breakout stars, the point guard averaged 19 points, four rebounds and three assists. Teamed with Trevian Bell to lead Tigers to 25-3 record and Southwest Prairie title. Has more than a dozen Division I scholarship offers. All-Tournament at Pontiac.

CAMERON KRUTWIG

Senior C, 6-9, Jacobs

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Loyola recruit. The area’s dominant big man. Almost automatic in the post and an incredible passer. Averaged 15 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks and three assists. Shot 65 percent from the field. School’s all-time leading rebounder and shot blocker.

JOSH NIEGO

Senior G, 6-4, Brother Rice

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Uncommitted. All-Tournament at York, Catholic League South Player of the Year. Excellent shooter, led Crusaders to 25-5 season and first place in Catholic League South. Averaged 18 points, six rebounds and shot 35 percent from three-point range.

JACK NOLAN

Senior G, 6-1, Benet

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Uncommitted. All-Tournament at Pontiac, MVP at Loyola-New Trier Thanksgiving Tournament, East Suburban Catholic all-conference. An unstoppable scorer against some of the area’s top teams. Averaged 18 points, three rebounds, two assists. Made 80 three-pointers, averaging 40 percent.

COREYOUN RUSHIN

Senior F, 6-6, Westinghouse

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Uncommitted. Second team All-City selection. One of the area’s few athletic bigs. Improved throughout his career, became the city’s best rebounder, helped lead the Warriors back to the Red Division. Averaged 17 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

KYLE SLIWA

Senior G, 6-0, Fremd

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Uncommitted. Mid-Suburban League Player of the Year. Two-time all-conference selection. Leader and driving force for unbeaten, conference champion Vikings. Averaged 17 points. Shot 53 percent from the field, 45 percent from three-point range and 78 percent from the line.

JUSTIN SMITH

Senior F, 6-7, Stevenson

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Indiana recruit. All-Tournament at Hinsdale Central. Key member of 2014 Class 4A state championship team. Eye-popping athlete averaged 22 points, 10 rebounds. Shot 56 percent from the field. Led Patriots to 22-6 record, North Suburban title.

JIMMY SOTOS

Senior G, 6-3, Conant

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Bucknell recruit. MVP at York, three-time Mid-Suburban League All-Conference selection. Heady point guard averaged 17 points, five assists, four rebounds. Scored more than 1,000 career points. Shot 46 percent from the field and 84 percent from the free throw line.

ALONZO VERGE

Senior G, 6-3, Thornton

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Uncommitted. Sun-Times Player of the Year. Big Dipper MVP, All-Tournament at Decatur. The area’s most dynamic talent, averaged 26 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals. Led Wildcats to 22-5 season, Southwest Suburban Red title and Big Dipper championship.

KAWANISE WILKINS

Senior G, 6-5, Farragut

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Uncommitted. Second Team All-City selection. Strong, smart guard took over games to lead an extremely young Admirals squad. Averaged 21 points, nine rebounds. Shot 58 percent from the field, 42 percent from three-point range and 79 percent from the free throw line.

LUCAS WILLIAMSON

Senior F, 6-4, Young

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Uncommitted. First Team All-City selection. MVP at Proviso West. Four-year varsity player on for of the state’s elite programs. Evolved from a post to a perimeter player this season, averaged 19 points, five rebounds and two steals. Shot 80 percent from the free-throw line.

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