The high school basketball season has been going strong for the last couple of weeks. There will be plenty of excellent teams to look at, including defending state champions Vashon, Principia and Webster Groves. Some of the other teams to look at this season are East St. Louis, DeSmet, Chaminade, McCluer North and many others. Here is a look at some of the top boys’ players to watch this season.
Scottie Adkinson (Webster Groves): The 6’3” junior guard returns after leading the Statesmen to the Class 5 state title last season. He was the St. Louis American Player of the Year in 2025. He recently led the Statesmen to the championship of their own tournament. He has already committed to the University of Missouri.
Sebastian Bolden (Clayton): A 6’1” junior guard who is one of the top perimeter shooters in the area. He led the Greyhounds to the Class 4 state quarterfinals last season. He is currently averaging 30 points a game.
Jordan Boyd (De Smet): A 6’4” senior guard who returns for his third year as a starter for the Spartans. He is a strong all-around player who is currently averaging 12 points and six rebounds for the 3-0 Spartans. He has given a commitment to Northern Iowa.
Sekou Cisse (Principia): A 6’9” junior forward who returns as one of the top young big men in the area. He was an inside force as a sophomore for the Panthers’ Class 3 state championship team.
Brandon Clemens (MICDS): A 6’2” senior guard who returns for his fourth year as a varsity starter for the Rams. He averaged 18 points a game as a junior in earning All-State honors. He has committed to Missouri Southern.
Quentin Coleman (Principia): A 6’4” senior guard who returns after leading the Panthers to the Class 3 state championship. He scored 30 points in the state championship game victory over KC Kipp Legacy. He has already committed to Wake Forest.
Jamel Hawkins (McCluer North): A 6’5” junior forward who has led the Stars to a 4-1 record and the championship of the Borgia Thanksgiving Tournament. He is currently averaging 14 points and nine rebounds a game.
Alex Johnson (East St. Louis): A 6’3” senior guard who is one of the top players in the Metro East area. He is currently averaging 21 points a game in leading the Flyers to a 4-1 record to start the season.
Gary Johnson Jr. (St. Mary’s): A 6’4” senior forward who is one of the most explosive athletes in the state of Missouri. He is also one of the most entertaining dunkers. He is currently averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds a game.
Jonny Jordan (Chaminade): A 6’2” senior guard who returns after leading the Red Devils to a berth in the Class 6 state championship game. He averaged 12 points a game as a junior. He has given a commitment to Omaha.
J’Dyn Lloyd (Belleville West): A 6’6” junior guard who returns as one of the top prospects in the Metro East area. He is currently averaging 20 points and four rebounds a game for the 4-2 Maroons.
Kain McCaskill (Vashon): A 6’1” senior guard who is an explosive athlete with excellent scoring ability. He is currently averaging 15 points a game in leading the Wolverines to a 5-0 start against a schedule of talented out-of-town teams.
Jimmy McKinney III (Vashon): A 6’2” junior shooting guard who returns after helping lead the Wolverines to a Class 4 state championship. He is currently averaging 16 points a game in leading Vashon to a 5-0 start against some excellent out-of-state competition.
Abraham Nayou (Maplewood): A 6’2” senior guard who has been a dynamic offensive player for the Blue Devils since entering the program as a freshman. He is currently averaging 32 points a game to lead the St. Louis area in scoring.
Carlaun Nelson (Miller Career Academy): A 6’1” senior shooting guard who is off to a hot start with three games of scoring at least 30 points in leading the Phoenix to a 3-0 start. He has a high game of 38 points in a victory over Bayless.
Tyler Ray (MICDS): A 6’4” junior forward who is a versatile player who can play multiple positions on the floor. He is currently averaging 14 points and 13 rebounds a game to start the season.
Will Salonies (Holt): A 6’0” senior point guard who returns after earning Class 5 All-State honors last season. The talented left-hander averaged 20 points a game as a junior. He has been a standout since his freshman year.
Semaj Stampley (Alton): A 6’2” guard who is one of the top players in the Metro East area. He averaged 20 points a game as a junior. He is also the school’s career leader in 3-point field goals. He has given a commitment to South Dakota.
Ian Thomas (DeSmet): A 6’3” junior guard who has been DeSmet’s floor leader since his sophomore year, when the Spartans won a state championship. He has given a commitment to Indiana State.
Jamison White (East St. Louis): A 6’8” senior forward transferred to East St. Louis after earning All-State honors as a junior at Chaminade. He is averaging 17 points and 12 rebounds a game and has committed to Penn State.