Illinois is an undisputed high school basketball hotbed, home to 26 players who took the court in NBA games during the 2021-22 season, including Patrick Beverly, Anthony Davis, Andre Iguodala, Derrick Rose and Fred Van Vleet among many others.
The Prairie State also produced the No. 6 high school basketball team in the country this year in
Glenbard West, which went 37-1 en route to the Class 4A state title.
That led us to question where Glenbard West stacks up against the top teams in the state since the turn of the century. Evaluating resumes, national rankings and talent on the rosters, we put together a list of the top teams in Illinois since 2000. see the complete breakdown below.
Jahlil Okafor makes his move in the post during his senior year with Whitney Young in 2013.
Photo: Brian Murphy
Record: 30-3
National ranking: No. 3
Notable players: Kendrick Nunn, Jabari Parker, Kendall Pollard, Jaylon Tate, Russell Woods
Rundown: Although 2013 MaxPreps National Player of the Year Parker was working his way back from a broken foot and not yet 100 percent, he averaged 18.4 points and 10.4 rebounds to lead the Wolverines to their fourth consecutive Class 4A state title. The program went 118-15 during the dominant stretch. One of the deepest teams in state history was led by a pair of future NBA players in Nunn and Parker.
2. Simeon, 2006-07
Record: 33-2
National ranking: No. 6
Notable players: Tim Flowers,Brandon Hall, Kevin Johnson, Bryant Orange, Derrick Rose
Rundown: A starting lineup consisting of five seniors was led by first team Parade All-America selection Rose, who averaged 18.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 3.4 steals. During his career with the program, Simeon went 120-12 with Rose in the lineup. The future NBA MVP went off for 28 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in a signature victory over Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 78-75 mid-way through the season.
3. Simeon, 2011-12
Record: 33-1
National ranking: No. 4
Notable players: Jaleni Neely, Kendrick Nunn, Jabari Parker, Kendall Pollard, Steve Taylor
Rundown: The Wolverines' lone loss came against eventual national champion Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) at the Spalding Hoophall Classic. Led by a talented group of juniors in Parker, Pollard and Nunn along with senior forward Taylor, Simeon defeated previously-unbeaten Proviso East (Maywood) 50-48 after trailing by five points entering the fourth quarter to capture its third consecutive state title.
Record: 37-1
National ranking: No. 6
Notable players: Bobby Durkin, Braden Huff, Caden Pierce, Ryan Renfro, Paxton Warden
Rundown: A balanced attack saw four players average 11.5 points or more led by Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year Huff, who averaged 16.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists. The Hilltoppers outscored in-state opponents by 28.4 points per game and defeated Whitney Young (Chicago) 56-34 in the Class 4A state title game. Glenbard West's lone loss came against Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.).
Record: 29-5
National ranking: No. 9
Notable players: Rodney Herenton, Erwin Henry, Jahlil Okafor, Miles Reynolds, Paul White
Rundown: Facing an ambitious national schedule that featured 13 out-of-state opponents, the Dolphins notched big-time wins over Apple Valley (Minn.), Prime Prep (Texas), Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) and Southwind (Tenn.). Led by first team MaxPreps All-America selection Okafor, who averaged 24.3 points and 11.4 rebounds, Whitney Young captured its first state crown since 2008-09 and went unbeaten against in-state teams.
Record: 31-2
National ranking: No. 6
Notable players: Brandon Lee, Shaun Livingston, DeAndre Miranda, Jacob Motteler, Dustin Warfield
Rundown: One of the most dynamic guard tandems in state history, Lee and Livingston terrorized opposing defenses as seniors while combining for over 1,000 points. Livingston, who played 14 seasons in the NBA, led the way with 27 points in the Lions' 53-47 victory over Homewood-Flossmor to capture the program's second consecutive Class AA state championship.
7. Simeon, 2010-11
Record: 30-2
National ranking: No. 9
Notable players: Jabari Parker, Rashawn McElrath, Jaleni Neely, Steve Taylor, Darien Walker
Rundown: Captured the program's second of four consecutive state titles led by a strong mixture of experience and youth. Then-sophomore Parker led the way for a group that started three seniors but saw numerous underclassmen make strong contributions throughout the season. The Wolverines lost twice in Chicago Public League play before rebounding to win the Class 4A state title with a 48-39 victory over Warren Township (Gurnee).
8. Whitney Young, 2012-13
Record: 27-4
National ranking: No. 9
Notable players: Ausar Madison, Jahlil Okafor, L.J. Peak, Miles Reynolds, Paul White
Rundown: The only team that fell short of winning a state title on this list, the Dolphins lost to the top-ranked team on this list Simeon in the state tournament. Despite the loss, Whitney Young played a challenging national schedule, competing in the City of Palms Classic and winning the Beach Ball Classic. Juniors Okafor, Peak and White played key roles in Whitney Young's top 10 national finish.
Record: 33-3
National ranking: No. 16
Notable players: Kyle Davis, Billy Garrett, Charlie Moore, Xzavier Taylor, Markee Williams
Rundown: Outscored opponents by an average of 29.8 points with the three losses coming by a combined nine points. The Mustangs captured the Class 3A state title behind a balanced effort that saw all four senior starters produce double figures. Morgan Park was the only in-state opponent to defeat the top team on the list Simeon in 2013.
Record: 30-3
National ranking: No. 21
Notable players: Jalen Brunson, Connor Cashaw, Matt Johnson, Justin Smith
Rundown: MaxPreps All-America selection Brunson averaged 23.3 points, 5.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds to lead the Patriots to the Class 4A state title. Stevenson went 90-10 with two state title game appearances in Brunson's final three years in the program.
