After missing a large chunk of the season so far due to injury, one of the top 2024 forwards in Illinois is back on the hardwood to start off his junior season. Due to a knee injury, Jaylan McElroy had been on the sideline up until this past Friday. He is already making an immediate impact back, with 11 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assist and 2 blocks in only twenty minutes in his most recent game for DePaul Prep. 

McElroy really emerged during his sophomore season and his stock has only continued to grow since then. To date, the 6’7” forward holds a pair of scholarship offers from division one programs. Loyola Maryland was the first program to offer him back in August with Illinois State shortly after following his strong summer playing with the Illinois Wolves. When talking about the two schools that have offered, McElroy said “They make you feel like you’re on the team even though you don’t go to the school. They are amazing people and have good programs.”

As well to the pair of offers, he has interest from Appalachian State, Dartmouth, Indiana State, Loyola Chicago, Northern Illinois, Providence, Radford, Valparaiso, among other division one programs across the nation. So far, he has only taken a visit to Illinois State but is looking forward to taking additional visits after his season.  

McElroy is looking to make a big impact now that he is healthy and back on the court. His goal is to help DePaul Prep win a state championship after last season when they made it all the way to the state 2A semifinals.