Matched up against longtime teammate and fellow five-star Ethan Bramoff Ethan Bramoff 6'0" | 195 lbs | LSM/D | Right Hand St. Anthony's | 2026 #14 Nation NY , Gillis clearly won the battle in the first half and finished the night with four goals and two assists. It was one of the best performances he’s had in a Chaminade uniform, reinforcing why he’s viewed as a consensus top-two recruit — all while battling through a back injury that sidelined him for six games. If I’m not mistaken, Gillis shot 4-of-5 in the first half.

He broke a first quarter tie after Finn Pizzo Finn Pizzo 6'0" | M/A | Right Hand Chaminade | 2027 NY intercepted a clearing pass and passed it over to Gillis, who shrugged off a body blow and scored while fading to his left. Later on, he won his matchup up top with a split-to-roll, slipping through the sliding defender, and canning a shot from 10 yards despite a white jersey trying to kill him. With 80 seconds left in the first half, he executed a pretty inside roll against Bramoff to make it 8-5, snagged the ensuing GB off the face-off, then buried a hammer on a pass from Balsamo.

James Gillis was named 1st Team All Long Island as a junior. James scored 42 goals, 19 assists (61 points), & picked up 38 ground balls while causing 12 turnovers on the ride in 2025. He contributed 32 goals & 16 assists (48 points) as a starter in 2024, which is uncommon for a sophomore at Chaminade. Gillis was named a Team Captain for the 2026 Flyers & could potentially hit the 200-point plateau in his final year. He possesses an ideal blend of power & speed, using both to be equally effective. James is extremely athletic & is firmly in the conversation for the #1 overall prospect in his class. Coaches trust him because of his composure in big moments & takeover ability. Gillis has collected multiple MVP honors, delivered championship performances in All-Star settings, & has a documented history of scoring game-winners dating back to his freshman year in 2023. Last spring, he notched 5 goals in a win over Salesianum (DE), another 5 goals in the program’s first win since 2021 against St. Anthony’s in April, & 6 goals in a victory against Delbarton (NJ). Signed to play at Duke

James Gillis has a competitive spirit that differs from many of the other players I have seen. He is ranked #2 in his class. May that be because he is a standout lefty? Maybe, but he is also speedy, quick-minded, and gritty. He works for what he wants, whether that be a ground ball or a goal. Gillis is a playmaker at heart and has a keen eye for connecting with his open teammates.

Gillis, a versatile lefty who can play both attack and midfield, is a tough matchup due to his size, athleticism, and high skill level. While he prefers getting to his left, he’s strong enough to attack from the left wing, getting underneath defenders to create high-quality scoring opportunities. The Duke commit has great shooting range and is also an aggressive rider, generating extra possessions for the Flyers.

After a successful spring and summer, Gillis put himself in the conversation with the top players in the country. He played attack for Chaminade, but he was recruited and eventually committed to Duke as a midfielder. I was very impressed with how he performed at the varsity level as a sophomore. A smooth and quick dodger, Gillis was a game-changing playmaker who produced in many ways. His sudden movements allow him to create separation from top defenders, and he’s skilled enough to finish in various ways. He is an elite scorer who can create for himself or take advantage of making smart plays away from the ball. Gillis will lead the Flyers’ prolific offense for the next two years.

Gillis was another guy who seemed to constantly be on the field when his team had the ball. He was very involved offensively and used his speed and footwork well when dodging a long pole to gain separation for a shot. He creates a lot of scoring chances for himself by finding soft spots in the defense and using stick fakes to his advantage. When he was working with the man-up unit, he kept his head up looking for skip passes or would take the step-down shot from a distance if they gave him some time and room. He has good stick skills and a quick release on his shot with good accuracy and I can only think that’ll improve come 2025. Gillis ended the tournament with one goal and one assist in the championship game.

Gillis’ offensive repertoire and body of work are incredibly impressive for a Class of 2026 prospect. As a sophomore, the highly talented left-hander racked up 32 goals and 16 assists and shined in some of the Flyers’ biggest games. Among other things, what stands out is that there’s no drop-off in his production when he goes from attack to midfield. He put home at least nine goals at Showtime (plus a lefty jumper in the All-Star Game) and was also responsible for a downright filthy spot feed early in the week. Smooth, dynamic, and intelligent with the ball in his stick, Gillis had some wildly slick finishes throughout the event and continued to cement his stock as a top-five prospect.