Suburban Life boys basketball season preview: Five players to watch in 2021

Here are five players to watch in the Suburban Life coverage area this season.

Jeff Grace, York, sr., G: Four-year varsity guard is one of the elite defenders in the area. Grace averaged 7.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.7 rebounds as a junior for a 28-win West Suburban Silver champion. With Nate Shockey graduated, expect Grace to have a breakout year offensively.

Josh Harris, Timothy Christian, sr, G/F: Big-time scorer led the Trojans in scoring the last two seasons, 14 points and 5 rebounds last year with 2 assists per game. Harris last year was a key part of Timothy Christian’s first state team since 1980. Harris, a 6-foot-3 wing, is closing in on 1,000 career points.

Bryce Hopkins, Fenwick, sr., G/F: Kentucky recruit is the No. 2 senior in Illinois, and a top 35 recruit nationally. Physical 6-foot-7 wing with guard-like skills can go inside and outside with a sensational combination of power and athleticism. A matchup nightmare at the high school level. Hopkins averaged 24 points and 10 rebounds as a junior.

Braden Huff, Glenbard West, jr., F: Stretch forward is part of a Hilltoppers’ junior class with a ton of talent and potential. Huff, 6-foot-10 with shoes on, averaged 15.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists as a sophomore and might be just scratching the surface to his ability. Holds offers from Northwestern, Creighton, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin. Added muscle should help Huff against defenses that try to get physical with him.

Jesus Perez, Morton, sr., G: A wizard with the ball in his hands. Small in stature, Perez is a giant on the court with his ability to break pressure, find teammates and break down opponents off the dribble. Averaged 13 points, close to 7 assists and around 3 steals last season for a Morton team that won 23 games and its first regional title in five years. Perez is also a stellar soccer player.