
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 Guard2. 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 brackets3. 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 leaders4. 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 galleries5. 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).