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.
