Whitney Young is the top pick in the Land of Lincoln this season for boys basketball. But also watch out for Simeon, Stevenson, Morgan Park and Marian Catholic.
Whitney Young is our pick as the best team in Illinois this season.
Photo by John Rowland
MaxPreps 2013-14 Illinois Boys Basketball Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard
Click here to see the boys basketball preseason Fab 5 from every state1. Whitney Young (Chicago)2012-13 record: 27-4, Class 4A sectional finalist
Head coach: Tyrone Slaughter
Had L.J. Peak (who returned to his native South Carolina) and Joseph Toye (transfer to La Lumiere) returned to Whitney Young this season, the Dolphins would have been a legitimate preseason national title favorite. Slaughter still has plenty of talent in the fold, including arguably the nation's top duo of bigs in 6-foot10
Jahlil Okafor and 6-9 Georgetown pledge
Paul White.
2. Simeon (Chicago)2012-13 record: 30-3, Class 4A state champions
Head coach: Robert Smith
To be the man, you have to beat the man – and Simeon has definitely been the man in the Land of Lincoln's 4A classification over the past four years. The Wolverines have won four straight state titles but are facing a monster rebuilding task this winter. Don’t be surprised if reloading is a more accurate description of the process with talent like
Donte Ingram,
D.J. Williams,
Ben Coupet and
Edward Morrow on the roster.
3. Stevenson (Lincolnshire)2012-13 record: 27-4, Class 4A runner-up
Head coach: Patrick Ambrose
At least a year ahead of schedule,
Jalen Brunson and
Connor Cashaw led the Patriots on an impressive run late in the season as sophomores. Stevenson won 19 games in a row after a holiday tournament loss before falling in the 4A title game to Simeon.
4. Morgan Park (Chicago)2012-13 record: 33-3, Class 3A state champions
Head coach: Nick Irvin
The Mustangs beat Simeon a year ago en route to the 3A title. The backcourt is a bit of a question this winter but Morgan Park returns a lot of size and length with
Josh Cunningham (6-8, Sr., F),
Lamont Walker (6-5, Sr., G/F),
Alonzo Chatman (6-8, So., F) and
Torry Johnson (6-4, Sr., G).
5. Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights)2012-13 record: 30-4
Head coach: Michael Taylor
Kentucky's point guard of the future
Tyler Ulis runs the show for the Spartans after earning first team All-State honors as a junior. Marian lost just one significant contributor from a team that made an appearance in the 4A super sectionals.
