Top Five Boys Basketball Players to Watch in 2025-2026 Season

As the boys basketball season begins across the United States, coaches and fans are turning their attention to the standout players who are poised to make an impact. Among those to watch in the upcoming 2025-2026 season are five athletes from the Daily Journal area, each demonstrating exceptional talent and potential.

Lincoln Williams: A Rising Star for Kankakee

Lincoln Williams, a senior guard from Kankakee, enters this season with significant expectations. The reigning Daily Journal Co-Player of the Year is also ranked as the top recruit in the state by Rivals and 247 Sports. Last season, Williams averaged an impressive 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two blocks per game. He is one of four returning starters for Kankakee, which had a record of 25-6 and secured an IHSA Class 3A Regional title. His teammates include Indiana State commit EJ Hazelett, along with fellow Kays Myair Thompson, Kenaz Jackson, and Cedric Terrell III.

Callaghan O’Connor: Dominating the Court at Bishop McNamara

At Bishop McNamara, senior center Callaghan O’Connor is not only a standout basketball player but also a committed baseball athlete at Notre Dame. O’Connor has been a consistent performer, following a strong sophomore season with an average of 11 points, six rebounds, 1.2 assists, and a block per game during his junior year. Under his leadership, the Fightin’ Irish reached the Class 2A Sectional championship. He is part of a talented group of seniors, including Karter Krutsinger and Teddy Fogel, who aim to build on their success from the eighth-grade season, where they finished as IESA State runners-up.

Kobe Lawrence: A New Era for Bradley-Bourbonnais

Junior guard Kobe Lawrence is set to be a key player for the Bradley-Bourbonnais Boilermakers this season. With a new head coach, Eric Long, at the helm, Lawrence is expected to step into a more prominent role after having a supportive role last season, averaging just four points per game. Long, who brings two decades of coaching experience, believes Lawrence could emerge as one of the top shooters in Chicagoland. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.5 demonstrates his potential to elevate his performance significantly this winter.

Seth Walder: Scoring Threat at Cissna Park

At Cissna Park, senior guard Seth Walder is part of one of the most formidable backcourts in Class 1A. Last season, he averaged 17.2 points, 4.3 assists, four rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game, earning him Class 1A IBCA All-State special mention. Teaming up with Dierks Neukomm, who averaged 21.7 points per game, Walder aims to lead Cissna Park to its first winning season since 2019-20. The program boasts a rich history, with 25 regional titles to its name.

Grant Pomaranski: A Key Player for St. Anne

Finally, senior guard Grant Pomaranski from St. Anne is looking to capitalize on his team’s successful run in the River Valley Conference. Pomaranski averaged 10 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game last season, earning him honorable mention recognition from the Daily Journal. Alongside fellow seniors Matthew Langellier and Brandon Schoth, Pomaranski aims to defend their conference title and contend for IHSA accolades similar to those achieved four years ago.

As these athletes prepare to take the court, their performances will not only define their individual careers but also shape the fortunes of their respective teams in what promises to be an exciting season ahead.