MaxPreps 2014-15 Illinois preseason boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

By Staff Report Nov 10, 2014, 12:00am

After a state runner-up finish in 2013 and semifinal appearance in 2014, Stevenson looks to take the next step. Also watch for Simeon, Whitney Young, St. Joseph and Morgan Park.

Stevenson begins the season ranked 10th in the Xcellent 25.
Stevenson begins the season ranked 10th in the Xcellent 25.
Photo by John Rowland

MaxPreps 2014-15 Illinois Boys Basketball Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard

1. Stevenson (Lincolnshire)
2013-14 record: 31-2, Class 4A semifinalist
Head coach: Pat Ambrose

The backcourt combination of Jalen Brunson (Villanova verbal commit) and Connor Cashaw (Rice) has helped put the Patriots on the national map over the past two seasons. In fact, Stevenson enters the season as the highest-rated public school in the country according to MaxPreps.

View last season's Illinois boys basketball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard

2. Simeon (Chicago)
2013-14 record: 22-6
Head coach: Robert Smith



While there may not be a Jabari Parker-caliber performer on the roster, Smith has one of his taller and deeper teams at Simeon. Ben Coupet (6-7, Jr., F), Ed Morrow (6-7, Sr., F, Nebraska verbal commit), Isaiah Moss (6-6, Sr., G/F, Iowa) and D.j. Williams (6-6, Sr., G/F, Illinois) will be a matchup nightmare for every team on the schedule.

View last season's Illinois boys basketball playoff brackets

3. Whitney Young (Chicago)
2013-14 record: 31-5
Head coach: Tyrone Slaughter

Jahlil Okafor is now at Duke, but don't sleep on the Dolphins. Vanderbilt pledge Joseph Toye (6-7, Sr., G/F) is back after a year at La Lumiere in Indiana, along with 2013-14 returners Skyler Nash (6-5, Jr., G), Rodney Herenton Jr. (6-2, Jr., G) and Anthony Mosley Jr. (6-2, Sr., G).

View last season's Illinois boys basketball stat leaders

4. St. Joseph (Westchester)
2013-14 record: 18-5
Head coach: Gene Pingatore



The Chargers are rock solid in the backcourt with Northwestern pledge Jordan Ash (6-1, Sr.) and Nebraska verbal commit Glynn Watson (6-0, Sr.). Junior Nick Rakocevic, a 6-9 forward with offers from several Big Ten programs, gives St. Joseph an extra dimension in the post.

View Illinois boys basketball pro photo galleries

5. Morgan Park (Chicago)
2013-14 record: 22-5, Class 3A state champions
Head coach: Nick Irvin

Well-traveled transfer guard Marcus LoVett Jr. (5-11, Sr.) joins an already-talented cast that includes Kain Harris (6-4, Sr., G) and Alonzo Chatman (6-8, Sr., F).