Jabari Parker and Simeon aren't just the best team in Illinois. They're the best in the nation, according to the Preseason Xcellent 25.
Photo by Lonnie Webb
1. Simeon (Chicago)Head coach: Robert Smith
2011-12 finish: 33-1, Class 4A state champions
To say the Wolverines have dominated Illinois basketball would be a crushing understatement. They have won three-consecutive 4A state titles and with top recruits
Jabari Parker, a 6-foot-8 senior forward, and
Kendrick Nunn, a 6-2 guard, returning in 2012-13, Simeon is a favorite to capture a four-peat championship. Parker, the nation’s most highly recruited senior, is choosing among Duke, Florida, Michigan State, Stanford and BYU. Nunn and teammate
Jaylon Tate, Simeon’s point guard, have already made verbal
commitments to Illinois. Also in Simeon’s deep lineup is 6-7 sophomore forward
D.J. Williams. Simeon will face Oak Hill Academy at the HoopHall Classic in Springfield, Mass., in January.
See all of our Illinois boys basketball photo galleries 2. Proviso East (Maywood)Head coach: Donnie Boyce
2011-12 finish: 32-1, Class 4A runners-up
Sterling Brown, a 6-4 junior guard and a verbal to Southern Methodist University, is the leading returnee for a Proviso East squad that won a school-record 32 consecutive games last year. Its only setback: A loss in the 4A title game to national powerhouse Simeon. Brown averaged 12.7 points and nearly 10 rebounds a game last season. Also back is Illinois State commit
Paris Lee (5-11, G), who was No. 3 in scoring and No. 2 in assists in 2011-12.
See last season's Illinois boys basketball Freeman Rankings 3. Whitney Young (Chicago)Head coach: Tyrone Slaughter
2011-12 finish: 16-10, Class 4A sectional runners-up to Simeon
Before Simeon began its run of 4A titles, Young was king of Illinois, winning the title in 2009. With 6-10 junior center
Jahlil Okafor, 6-8 senior forward
Jermaine Morgan and shooting guard
L.J. Peak, a transfer from Gaffney, S.C., the Dolphins may be primed to take a run at Simeon. Okafor’s long list of college suitors include Kentucky, Duke and North Carolina. Peak helped lead Gaffney to two South Carolina state titles and averaged 17.5 points per game last season. The Dolphins did lose 6-10 forward Thomas Hamilton Jr., who transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
See last season's Illinois boys basketball stats leaderboard 4. De La Salle (Chicago)Head coach: Tom White
2011-12 finish: 17-7, Class 4A regional runners-up
University of Minnesota recruit
Alvin Ellis (6-3, shooting guard) will play a key role for the Meteors in the highly competitive Chicago Catholic League title race and beyond. Ellis scored 42 points in De La Salle’s loss to Chicago Bogan in a Class 4A regional semifinal last season. The Meteors may be a threat if they can show some balance around Ellis’ scoring touch.
See last season's IHSA boys basketball playoff brackets 5. Lanphier (Springfield)Head coach: Blake Turner
2011-12 finish: 28-5, Class 3A fourth place
Junior guard
Larry Austin Jr., who has played for USA Basketball the past two years and won a gold medal at the 2011 FIBA U16 World Championships, hopes to lead Springfield Lanphier to a 3A title. A point guard who has offers from Illinois, Kansas State and Iowa, among others, Austin averaged 12.5 points per game last season, but will likely deliver much higher numbers than that. Lanphier was 28-3 last year until running into North Chicago in the 3A semifinals. Turner will be in his rookie year as head coach, moving up from an assistant spot.
