Waiting to explode

His reputation on the summer circuit usually succeeds him.

His stature blends in with the average onlooker. He won’t draw any attention to himself with jaw-dropping displays of athleticism during pre-game layup lines like many of his teammates and competitors.

As quick as most of the opposition dismisses him based on his appearance prior to the tip, Lowell (IN) 6-foot-2 skinny, baby-faced and lights out combo guard Austin Richie is even quicker in making them reassess their initial judgment.

“Obviously I always like being the underdog, but I know I can play with any of these guys,” Richie said. “I just go out like ‘this is what I’ve trained and worked for’ and just do my thing for the most part. But when they underestimate me, and I go out and do that it’s fun.”

During the high school season, the opposition knows what a handful Richie can be.

As a junior he averaged 28.8 points per game, good enough to rank him second among all players in the state of Indiana, and got his buckets from everywhere on the court. He also led the state in free-throw shooting percentage as a sophomore with a scorching 95-percent clip. With the rare combination of a silky smooth and quick release, Richie has proven to be a deadly three-point shooter off the catch or off the dribble.  If the defense runs him off the arc, he’s got a nice mid-range pull up or a variety of floaters up his sleeve.

“He’s definitely a scorer,” Lowell coach Mike Magley said. “He can score off the pass, off the dribble, coming off screens – there’s a lot of ways he can score.”

The easiest look for him is sometimes the hardest.

“I feel more consistent with the ball in my hands and shooting off the dribble, because that’s what I’ve been required to do on my high school team,” Richie said. “I’m going to be honest, the toughest shot for me to hit is a spot shot.”

“I just don’t get to shoot that shot a lot. Defense doesn’t give me too much breathing room, but also sometimes I let it affect the mental aspect of it. Obviously I’m still a better than average spot shooter though,” he added.

Despite lacking a devastating crossover dribble to create some space, or elite level quickness, his natural instincts with the ball and good court vision allow him to be a steady distributor. However, every so often he’ll snap a no-look or behind the back pass off or leave his defender lunging for nothing with a quick spin move off the bounce.

Normally, all the aforementioned numbers and skills are paired with high school student-athletes already committed to a college after considering several other scholarship offers. Through June, Valparaiso and IUPUI are his only offers.

With the critical July evaluation period open to NCAA coaches just about to start, it’s likely he will be surprising more than his opposition who may be judging a book by it’s cover and garner plenty more offers.

“I’m trying more and more not to get stressed out about stuff like that,” said Richie, who also has Missouri State, Richmond, LaFayette, Portland and Northern Iowa interested. “It can get pretty stressful with a recruit like me who isn’t ‘the high major’ or getting a lot of hype. I’m just always striving to do my best. At the end of the day there’s more to life than basketball, all you can worry about is yourself and going out and doing your best.”

Richie’s junior season earned him All-conference and honorable mention all state honors and included a 50-point explosion against Hammond, and a 41 point performance in a win against Kankakee Valley in which he broke his hand before half-time (he scored 25 after the break). However his personal accomplishments were clouded by an early exit in the post season with a first round loss to Munster.

“We lost two games early, but then we got on the right track,” he explained. “When our football players go into the flow of everything, we won a few gaems in a row. We were just getting into a good rhythm, then I broke my hand midway through the season with some of our biggest games against Munster and Merrillville coming up, and they just smacked us. “

“Then I made it back for the last five games including the Sectional. We finished off pretty strong, but we still had Munster first round and lost.”

Besides an improvement in the win-loss column, Richie anticipates a spike in his all-around game – much like the one he saw between two years ago and this past season.

“Personally, I think it’s night and day from my sophomore season to junior season,” Richie said. “Obviously a lot of defense is effort, but I’ve been building some strength, speed and agility. I’ve been working out with my trainer for about a year and half now, and he’s got me doing some good stuff. So, I think next year it will be the same thing with more improvement.”

His tireless training and relentlessness on the court are two traits that have been a fixture in his young career, which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise based on who he’s grown up around.

“I’m extremely competitive in everything I do, it’s not even funny,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve been like that since I was younger, especially growing up with my two older brothers. They kicked my butt.”

Older brothers Nate and Aaron played collegiately at Drake and IPFW, respectively. Following them off the court, and on, has had an immense impact on Austin.

“They’ve helped me build strong character and set really good examples for me as a human being,” Richie said. “But a lot of that is learned through basketball, especially strong character and stuff like that. I would not be where I am today without my brothers or my dad helping me out.”

As he prepares for the critical July evaluation period on the club circuit with northwest Indiana based CAPS All-Stars, coached by his brother Nate, that includes at least four different tournaments attended by every big time program in the country – Austin Richie is determined to let his play do his talking.

“When I was younger I sat down and made a list of goals for myself, and I set ten of them,” Richie said. “I put them in my dresser and I’ll look at them from time to time. Things like being an Indiana all-star, winning a state championship, play division-one basketball, and things of that sort are things I always thought were obtainable and still obtainable. So from an early age those are what I’ve strived for and am still striving for.”

By the time Richie concludes his final summer showcasing his ability on the court all over the country in front of potential future college coaches, and his final season playing high school hoops in the Hoosier state, it’s a safe bet he will be able to cross a few more things off the checklist in his dresser.

“I think he’s very capable of being a D1 player,” Magley said. “He’s got the work ethic, the grades, and the ability. I think he’s going to be a fine catch for somebody.”

UPDATE: Since being published, Richie picked up scholarship offers from Bucknell, Lafayette, Hartford, Appalachian State, and Portland after a strong showing in his first tournament of July in Indianapolis.

He followed that up with another great performance in Highland, IN over a three-day stretch, with plenty of college coaches looking on. His 35 points, and 30-foot tiebreaking and game winning three-pointer at the buzzer in the championship game against Baylor probably left a last impression on whatever coaches and fellow competitors were still around to see him go to work.

Justin Cerasoli’s Road Less Traveled

After playing his first season of AAU with Ft. Sooy No Limit, during the summer of 2003, Justin Cerasoli cemented his status as a top 100 player in the country.  Thanks to his strong performance on the AAU circuit alongside backcourt mate Shaun Livingtson, Cerasoli secured an invite to the prestigious ABCD All American camp.  His peers at the camp such as Dwight Howard, Sebastian Telfair, Josh Smith, and a slew of other highly rated players were shoe-ins to the camp’s all-star game because of their names, not their performance during the camp.  Cerasoli separated himself from the other hundred camp participants to earn a final spot in the camp’s all-star game thanks to his strong play.  With that, came a bunch of scholarship offers from big-time programs from all over the country.

What seems like a typical story of any top 100 recruit is anything but for Justin Cerasoli.  Cerasoli, a 6’5’’ point guard who possesses great handle and excellent court vision, started his high school career at Providence St. Mel in Chicago.  He started attending the small private school as a sixth grader.  At that point, St. Mel had one of the better basketball teams in the city under head coach Billy Garrett.  By the time Cerasoli started high school, Garrett had gone onto the college ranks at Seton Hall.

After his sophomore year at St. Mel, Justin transferred to West Aurora to go to school with a lot of kids he grew up with.  As a senior, Cerasoli helped lead his team to an appearance in the 2004

Class AA elite eight in Peoria.  Current New Orleans Hornet Julian Wright, and his Homewood Flossmoor Vikings, would defeat West Aurora in the semi-finals.  After a third place finish downstate, Cerasol chose to play collegiately for Garrett at Seton Hall over several other offers from prestigious programs.

“I was an All-American coming out of high school.  I played in the EA Sports Roundball Classic.  I had a lot of schools after me.  I ended up choosing Seton Hall.  They weren’t on my list originally, but they made me a lot of promises about playing there.  Plus, my old high school coach Billy Garrett was there and he was the one recruiting me,” Cerasoli explained.

Cerasoli’s AAU teammate, Shaun Livingston, would enter the NBA draft after their senior year of high school, along with several other players Cerasoli competed with that previous summer.  Cerasoli, like many kids who grow up with a love for basketball, also had NBA aspirations.  Admittedly, he entered college with the wrong mindset.

“A lot of my peers went straight from high school to the NBA.  Honestly, my focus going into Seton Hall wasn’t right.  I went in with the mindset of probably pulling a one-and-done because the coaches had promised me a lot of playing time.  Had they told me the truth on how they would’ve played me, I probably wouldn’t have ended up there,” added Cerasoli.

Since it was his first time being away from home for an extended period of time, and away from his family and friends, Justin had a difficult time handling the new experience.

“I can say that I didn’t really know how to handle a lot of situations.  It just wasn’t a good fit for me over there because I had felt like I had been tricked into going to Seton Hall.  It was a good learning experience though,” said Cerasoli.

All was not lost for Justin during his freshman season.  He was able to contribute to the team and had several good games.  His minor successes gave him the opportunity to transfer to Mississippi the following season to play in the SEC.  He felt comfortable with their coaching staff, Rob Barnes and Tracy Dildy, because they had recruited him out of high school.

Per NCAA transfer rules, Justin would have to sit out a year before he could gain eligibility.  It seemed as if he had a fresh start playing in a major conference.  Between the time he arrived on campus, to the time he gained eligibility, much had changed.  The coaching staff that recruited Cerasoli was fired, and Andy Kennedy was brought in as the replacement.  On top of that, he broke his wrist during the summer prior to the season he would be eligible.

“We had a new coach come in, and I broke my wrist going into the school year.  I wasn’t able to condition or lift weights with the team.  I basically went straight out of the cast onto the basketball court.  I played a few games, but I just wasn’t ready,” Justin explained.

Soon after the start of the season, Justin sat down with coach Andy Kennedy.  They came to a mutual understanding that it would be best to part ways.  Kennedy, who Cerasoli still has great respect for as a person and coach, needed to be able to bring in players he recruited.  Justin would head back to his home in Chicago discouraged, and unsure of his future.

“When I left Ole’ Miss, I was really done with basketball.  I was already looking for jobs, and stuff like that.  My pops spoke with some people, and the opportunity at Loyola came about,” said Cerasoli.

With two years of eligibility remaining, Justin Cerasoli had reservations about playing at Loyola.  Family support, and his unwavering love for the game of basketball ultimately were the reasons he chose to play for Loyola.  However, just like his previous two stops, Loyola gave him an entirely new learning experience.

The culture of the program at a division-one program like Loyola is much different than those in the major conferences.  The adjustment Justin had to make fitting into that program was tough.

“That really showed me a different side of basketball.  The whole mindset is different when you go to a low-major school.  The emphasis on basketball is different.  Coming from two schools from big conferences, where the focus is all about winning basketball games, that wasn’t the case at Loyola.  At Loyola it was about playing hard, and working harder than the next guy,” said Cerasoli.

“We could lose a game and it’d be ok if we had a week of good practices.  That was different for me.  Because of that me and my coach didn’t always see eye to eye.  We had a good relationship and everything, but we had differences because that was something that was new to me.  It was fun for me though for the simple fact that I love to play basketball,” added Cerasoli.

Justin ended up having a subpar junior and senior year by his own standards.  He averaged about 13 points per game, and led the team in steals.  After finishing up his collegiate career at Loyola, Cerasoli has kept training to reach his dream.  Right now, he’s looking at options to play overseas or in the NBA’s developmental league.

The path, former high school All-American, Justin Cerasoli’s career has taken is not the one he expected.  However, it gave him a chance to learn from all the different environments he played in.  Whether it was his first and only summer on the AAU circuit, sitting behind a point guard solely because the kid played his high school ball for a coach who has a lot of pull in the state the college is located, or playing for a school with little national exposure, Justin took something out of each experience.

Ideally every player with several scholarship offers would want to pick one school, have a successful career and a shot at playing professionally.  Realistically, that is not always the case.  Cerasoli’s experience taught him a lot about how things can work, and offered a little advice to those who might be in a similar position he was in as a senior in high school; someone who wanted to play a lot right away.

“I never really understood the politics that came with college basketball.  I always thought my talent would get me where I needed to go.  I would just tell anyone to do their research, and look at the guys ahead of them.  Also try and get as good a feel for the coach as possible in that short period of time.  It’s really all a crapshoot at the end of the day,” said Cerasoli.

Remember the Name

Leo’s class of 2010 combo guard, Isaac Smith III, is one of the most underrated players in the city of Chicago.  The 6′2” guard will be depended upon to take over the leadership role of the Lion squad that made it to the 3A final four last season.  With all-state guard James Pointer graduated, Smith may be asked to handle the point guard duties a lot.  He hasn’t run the point for much of his high school career, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t ready.

“I just have step up and be a leader now.  I’m used to him (Pointer) being the leader, but now I just have to work hard in practice with the younger players and play strong,” Smith explained.

Smith’s strong work ethic includes daily workouts in the gym over the summer.  He started training with Steve Pratt, of Full Package Athletics, in the Spring of 2008.  Since then, his offensive game has improved from being primarily a slasher to a capable shooter and distributor.

Currently playing with Pratt’s Chicago Elite travel team, Smith displayed great passing ability in the open court during the first part of the summer circuit.  While he is still streaky from three-point range, he has great lift and rotation on his jumper.  He also has the ability to be a lock down defender due to his speed and long arms.  College coaches started to take notice of Smith’s play at the Chicago Summer Classic in early July.  If Smith can prove he can handle the point this upcoming winter for Leo, plenty of division one colleges will be knocking on his door.

Class of 2011’s Bruce Barron

Carbondale’s Bruce Barron, 6’3’’, is making a name for himself as one of the best point guards in the state. Barron attends Brehm Prep in downstate Illinois and plays for the Illinois Titans over the summer. With ideal size, speed, and strength for a point guard, Barron combines that with an excellent feel for the position and a versatile skill set.

Besides coach Aaron Lee at Brehm, Barron has had another great teacher starting at an early age. Barron credits his older brother Justin Dentmon for the motivation to keep getting better. Last spring, Dentmon finished a successful collegiate career in the Pac-10 where he started at point guard for Washington.

“I grew up watching my brother play basketball. I saw him make it, and put it in my head that I was going to do the same thing he did. I wanted to follow in his footsteps, but be better than he was,” Barron said.

Even though they haven’t played one on one as much as they used to. Barron still admits he has some work to do.

“We played a couple times, and I beat him once. But when it comes down to it, I say he’ll beat me,” Barron said with a laugh.

Barron explained he was working on doing a better job attacking the basket this summer, and not relying on his outside shot too much. During the Chicago Summer Classic, in front of hundreds of college coaches, Barron got into the lane at will. He had plenty of weapons to distribute the ball too. The Illinois Titans start two wings over 6’5’’ who can shoot the lights out, and 6’6’’ James Siakam who finishes everything around the rim.

Before the spring, a fan wouldn’t have been able to find Bruce Barron’s name on any of the website’s that rank players in the state. After the club circuit concludes in August, a fan won’t be able to find a list where he isn’t in the top 10.

2009 Summer Breakout Players

Seemingly every summer a player from the state of Illinois emerges from being unknown to a high division-one college prospect.  Players such as Bobby Frasor and Iman Shumpert went from local standouts, to being recruited by the top programs in college basketball after strong performances on the club basketball circuit.  This spring has provided fans with a good look at how deep the 2010 and 2011 classes are in the state of Illinois.  

Below are some names of players scouting services, rankings websites, and fans should all start paying closer attention too.  As the summer progresses, this list is sure to expand.   

Charles McKinney, 6′2”, Maine East (Full Package Athletics)

Kashaune McKinney, 6′3”, Rich East (Illinois Wolverines)

Bruce Barron, 6′3”, Brehm Prep (Illinois Titans)

Isaac Smith III, 6′2”, Leo (Chicago Elite)

Duje Dukan, 6′8”, Deerfield (Chicago Elite)

2009 City Suburban Showdown

February 14, 2009

For the 14th year in a row, high school basketball fans were treated to a couple of great basketball games at Northwestern’s Welsh-Ryan Arena.  Glenbrook North defeated Warren Township 70-62 in the evening’s first contest, and De La Salle edged out defending class 2A state champions, North Lawndale, 65-60 in the nightcap.  

The Integrity Group’s City Suburban Showdown is always one of the marquee events during the high school basketball season as it consistently matches up the top teams in the state that wouldn’t normally play each other during the regular season.  This year was no different.

Glenbrook North (15-4) and Warren (17-4) both came into the game ranked among the top 25 teams in the Chicagoland area.  They are both very similar teams in that they both have a star player, a slew of very good role players, and excellent coaches.  Warren came into the game on a week’s rest, while Glenbrook North defeated an extremely tough Maine East team the night before to clinch the Central Suburban League North title.  Warren showed no signs of rust, and Glenbrook North showed no signs of fatigue from the previous night, as the game was closely contested throughout.  

Warren’s Brandon Paul, one of the top candidates for Mr. Basketball and Illini commit, got off to a quick start scoring eight points in the first quarter.  Paul also received help from forward, James Poliquin, who did plenty of damage early down low scoring and grabbing offensive rebounds.  However, Glenbrook North, who has been without 6′7” senior and Brown commit Tyler Ponticelli all season due to a back injury, was carried by junior Alex Dragicevich’s great shooting and senior Michael Phillips.  After a thunderous second quarter dunk by Paul, Phillips responded with a Glenbrook North three pointer to put them back into the lead.  With the game tied, and time winding down, Dragicevich hit a buzzer beater to give the Spartan’s a two point lead at halftime.  Dragicevich finished with 17 first half points, while Phillips chipped in with 10 points.  

When the second half began, it became clear what Glenbrook North coach Dave Weber discussed with his team at halftime.  After scoring 14 first half points, Brandon Paul was barely able to touch the ball in the third quarter.  On top of that, big man James Poliquin who had been effective in the paint, was hampered with foul trouble the entire second half.  Dragicevich continued to score the ball for Glenbrook North, and also got help from junior Austin Weber who scored all nine of his points in the second half.  

Glenbrook North extended their lead to 15 points in the fourth quarter, and Warren didn’t have enough left in their tank to catch back up.  Brandon Paul finished the game with 18 points to lead Warren.  Dragicevich finished as the game’s high scorer with 31, to lead his team to the 70-62 victory.  

 

In the next game, two of the best teams in Chicago and the state of Illinois met for the first time this season.  The De La Salle Meteors are arguably the top team from the Chicago Catholic League, and the North Lawndale Phoenix have a strong case as the Chicago Public League’s best.  In a game that featured contrasting game plans, several highly touted players, and division-one recruits, it was a rarely used role player who proved to be the difference.  

North Lawndale Phoenix coach Lewis Thorpe’s game plan always involves tons of ball pressure, and a fast paced tempo to their offense.  Aside from having great guard play from John Taylor, Terry Johnson, Zilijan Jones, and Stephen Thorpe, the Phoenix catalyst is senior forward Jon Mills.  Mills, who is committed to play collegiately for Texas A&M Corpus-Christi, is easily the state’s best rebounder.  He also usually finishes any shot he can get around the rim.   

De La Salle can play up and down with anyone, but usually plays with a slower tempo.  Coach Tom White uses a very well balanced inside-out attack.  Senior guards Derek Needham, Fairfield University commit, and Richie Fisher form one of the city’s better back courts.  Super sophomore’s Michael Shaw, 6′8”, and Andre Henley, 6′6”, play primarily down low, but both possess some perimeter skills.  

As the game progressed early, it looked like North Lawndale’s fast paced style of play was too much for De La Salle to handle.  Senior John Taylor got hot early scoring connecting on his first three shots, two of which were three-pointers.  He also did a good job setting up other teammates for short jumpers or lay-ups.  Andre Henley and Rob Robinson did their best to keep the Meteors in the game.  After a scrappy first half, North Lawndale took a three point lead into the locker room.  

In the majority of the second half, De La Salle played without Shaw who was in foul trouble.  While Shaw is a big part of the Meteor offensive attack, he is more important on defense as he is the teams best shot blocker and rebounder.  The slender underclassmen had his hands full with North Lawndale senior Jon Mills all night.  Three and a half minutes into the second half, Shaw picked up his fourth foul.  However, the Meteors would not be deterred.   

Picking up the slack was fellow sophomore Andrew Henley, and senior Richie Fisher.  Fisher, who was held scoreless in the first half, connected on three shots from beyond the arc.  De La Salle held a four point edge over North Lawndale going into the fourth quarter.  

After Jon Mills drew an offensive foul on Shaw with 4:44 left in the game, rarely used junior center Jon Jesse checked into the game to replace Shaw who had fouled out.  With the lead changing hands several times late in the game, Jesse was fouled while converting a layup with under two minutes to play.  After Jesse sank the free throw, the Meteor’s would not relinquish the lead.  When the final horn sounded, De La Salle came out on top 65-60.  Jesse finished with 10 points in the game, all of which came with under four minutes to play in the game.  

Taylor led the Phoenix with 15 points, while Jon Mills added 11 points and, an eye popping, 22 rebounds.  

 

Shootout At The Hall

December 16, 2008

CHAMPAIGN – High school basketball fans from all over the state were treated to a great day of hoops at Assembly Hall, located on the campus of the University of Illinois, last Saturday.  Instead of recruits visiting to watch the Illini play on their home court, current Illini players sat in the bleachers watching their future teammates play with their high school teams.  Out of the seven games played, five featured players committed to play collegiately at Illinois.

The day began with a game between two central Illinois high schools, the Olympia Spartans and Mahomet-Seymour Bulldogs.  The Spartans jumped on the Bulldogs early, and did not relent.  After Mahomet-Seymour senior center, 6′9”, Nick Washburn picked up two first quarter fouls, Olympia began getting buckets inside.  Junior Spencer Pratt, Olympia’s starting point guard hit his second three pointer of the game as the first quarter buzzer sounded, giving the Spartans a nine point lead.

With Washburn still on the bench to start the second quarter, Olympia wasted no time jumping back on the Bulldogs working their offense inside-out.  Olympia senior, Brady Cremeens, scorched the Assembly Hall nets all morning while recording five three pointers in the game.  Matt Frahm, a 6′6” senior for the Spartans, also played a solid all around game which included a perfect six for six at the free throw line in the first half.  By halftime, the Spartans led the Bulldogs 40-19.  Mahomet-Seymour’s Luke Radliff, a 6′5” senior, did all he could to keep the Bulldogs in the game in the second half but it wasn’t enough as Olympia came out on top 68-54.  It should not be a surprise to anyone if they are reading about Olympia in March during the 2A playoffs.

In the second game of the day, the Robinson Maroons took the court against the Sabers from St. Thomas More.  Robinson’s starting center, junior Meyers Leonard, committed to play for the Illini prior to the start of the season.  The 6′11” center has been facing double and triple teams all season, and this game was no different.  Leonard still finished with 15 points, displaying a wide array of post moves and a nice touch from ten feet out.  He also made his presence felt defensively by blocking six shots, and altering several others.  While St. Thomas More’s tallest player was 6′2”, they fought extremely hard the entire game in spite of being matched up against a player who was 6′11”.  Great free throw shooting down the stretch sealed the 49-42 victory for the Maroons.  St. Thomas More junior guard, Nate Freeman, scored 18 points to lead the Sabers.  Robinson also received a significant contribution from junior guard Derek Hannahs, who came up with some huge three pointer’s in the second half which included a buzzer beater at the end of the third quarter to extend the Maroon lead to four points.

The next game featured perennial powers from Peoria and Chicago, Peoria Central and Crane.  Prior to the school year, class of 2009 guard, and Illini commit, D.J. Richardson transferred from Peoria Central to Findlay Prep in Nevada.  This left only three seniors on the roster.   However, head coach Dan Ruffin and the Peoria Central Lions, have one of the state’s best group of underclassmen.  Crane traveled south to Champaign led by first year head coach Tim Anderson, and junior transfer student Crandall Head.  Last year during The Shootout at the Hall, as a sophomore and student at Rich South, Crandall wowed onlookers with a dominating performance that displayed his versatile scoring and playmaking ability.  Shortly after, the 6′4” guard committed to play for the University of Illinois.

The game was closely contested throughout, as both teams applied full court pressure nearly the entire game.  Despite turning the ball over 22 times, Crane came away with the narrow 51-49 victory over Peoria Central.  Head led his team with 21 points, and also grabbed 11 rebounds.  Crane’s 6′3” junior, and one of the most underrated players in Chicago, Deshun Watkins, couldn’t find his shooting stroke on the offensive end but helped out defensively with eight rebounds, a block, and three steals.  For Peoria Central, three of the aforementioned underclassmen led the team in minutes.  Freshman Antonio “BoBo” Drummond, and sophomores Darian White and Travis Kellem, combined for 34 of the team’s 49 points.  Drummond, a 5′9” point guard, did a great job defensively on Crandall Head when he was matched up on him.  Kellem, 6′4”, made an impact in the paint throughout the game.  In spite of the loss, it is quite obvious Peoria Central will be one of the best teams in the state in the future.

Keep your eyes peeled for part two in which the final four games of the day are covered.

A Look Ahead

            No basketball fan will forget last year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship for a long time.  For fans in Illinois, it will take even longer.  Each team in the game, Kansas and Memphis, featured former Chicago Public League standouts; Sherron Collins (Crane), and Derrick Rose (Simeon).  Collins was a major contributor all season as a sophomore for the victorious Kansas Jayhawks.  Rose, barely a year removed from back-to-back state titles at Simeon, started at point guard all season as a true freshman for Memphis.

            While both former IHSA standouts got to play on the biggest stage in college basketball last season, one should not forget the many other Illinois natives playing major roles on some of college’s top programs.

            End to End would like to take this chance to recognize which former hometown heroes are going to be contributing on teams we may be watching in this coming season’s national championship.  Aside from the players highlighted in this feature, there are hundreds of other former IHSA players playing in the division one, two, three and in the junior college ranks.  Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for stories on many of them. 

 

ACC

Duke: Jon Scheyer (Glenbrook North).  After a decorated high school career, including a state championship in 2005, Scheyer is now entering his junior year at Duke University.  Having received major minutes as a freshman and sophomore, averaging double figures in points scored both years, Scheyer will be a key to Duke’s success once again. 

 

North Carolina: Bobby Frasor (Brother Rice).  Frasor received early playing time as a true freshman in the 2005-2006 season, and at the start of his sophomore year.  Unfortunately, a foot injury has hampered him ever since.  Now entering his senior year, Frasor will look to provide leadership at point guard to the loaded Tar Heels roster. 

 

Georgia Tech: Iman Shumpert (Oak Park – River Forest).  Like Scheyer and Frasor before him, this former McDonald’s All-American chose to play collegiately in the ACC.  Shumpert is entering his freshman season, and is predicted to play early and often for the Yellow Jackets.  With his size, athleticism, and skill set, he can play both guard positions. 

 

Virginia: Mustapha Farrakhan (Thornton).  Farrakhan didn’t see much time as a true freshman last season, but is expected to play a much bigger role this season.  The sweet shooting guard will look to fill the scoring void left by last year’s leading scorer, and current Sacramento King, Sean Singletary. 

 

Atlantic Ten

St. Louis: Kevin Lisch (Belleville Althoff) and Tommie Liddell (East St. Louis).  Lisch and Liddell return for their final seasons under coach Rick Majerus.  As the team’s top two leading scorers,  and all conference players, Lisch and Liddell will make a strong push to get the Billikens in the Big Dance. 

 

Big Ten

Illinois: Demetri McCamey (St. Joseph), Trent Meachem (Champaign Centennial), Calvin Brock (Simeon), and Mike Tisdale (Riverton).  Illinois will look to a rebound from a relatively disappointing season last year behind several returning players.  McCamey will take the reins as the team’s starting point guard after an impressive freshman year.  Tisdale, a seven-footer, also showed plenty of promise as a center last year as a freshman.   Meachem and Brock will look to provide senior leadership as both logged heavy minutes last season.  

 

Indiana: Matt Roth (Washington).  With the combination of graduating seniors and several transfers to other programs, it looks like Roth will have a shot at early playing time as the Hoosiers return only two players from last year’s team.  In his first season as head coach, it shouldn’t take long for Tom Crean to utilize the lights out shooting ability of the freshman, Roth.  After leading his team downstate last year in high school, Roth will have to make a quick adjustment to Big Ten competition. 

 

Ohio State: Evan Turner (St. Joseph).  Turner provided a spark off the bench for the Buckeye’s last season as a true freshman.  The 6’6’’ former all-state selection provides a versatile skill set from the wing.  Look for his nine point scoring average from last year to increase this season as his role increases on the relatively young OSU roster. 

 

Purdue: Marcus Green (Leyden) and Lewis Jackson (Decatur Eisenhower).  Green will enter his senior season as a key role player for the Boilermakers.  While he can provide scoring, he is most valuable as a defender.  At 6’4’’, he also is an excellent rebounder for his position.  Jackson will have to work hard to earn playing time as a true freshman, but the explosive point guard might be too talented for Coach Painter to keep off the court. 

 

Northwestern: Michael Thompson (Lincoln Park), Jeff Ryan (Glenbrook South), and Mike Capocci (Glenbard East).  “Juice” Thompson made his presence felt as a true freshman last season in Evanston providing a much-needed scoring punch from the point guard position as he started every single game.  While he displayed his scoring capabilities, he also set the school’s freshman record for assists.  Ryan, who got significant playing time as a true freshman was hampered by injuries during his sophomore year last season.  The 6’6 combo guard and small forward will look to have a strong bounce back season as a junior.  Capocci enters his sophomore season as a key reserve off the bench at small forward. 

 

Iowa: Cyrus Tate (Homewood-Flossmoor).  Cyrus Tate, 6’9’’, landed in Iowa City after taking the junior college route, and has proven to be the Hawkeye’s best post player.  Having posted several double-double games during conference play last season may not be as impressive as his eye popping 67% shooting from the field. 

 

Big 12

Kansas: Sherron Collins (Crane).  Collins was the Jayhawk’s spark off the bench in his first two seasons in Lawrence.  The explosive 5’11’’ point guard has displayed nice shooting range, but is best known for his ability to get in the lane and create plays for teammates and himself.  Entering his junior year, Collins should start for the defending national champion’s as Mario Chalmer’s left for the NBA, and Russell Robinson graduated. 

 

Kansas State: Jacob Pullen (Proviso East).  As a true freshman last year, Pullen earned the job as starting point guard for the Wildcats.  While he won’t have Michael Beasley around to dish the ball too anymore, Pullen shouldn’t suffer as he is just as good of at scoring the ball as he is at distributing it.

Big East

DePaul: Mac Koshwal (Julian and Boys to Men Academy) and Will Walker (Bolingbrook).  Koshwal returns to the Blue Demons as their best post player.  At 6’10’’, Koshwal can run the floor better than most big men in the nation, and is a load to handle down low.  Will Walker will handle the point guard duties this season, and has an uncanny ability to break down his defenders to create his own shot.  This season may be DePaul’s chance to earn a birth into the NCAA tournament. 

 

Marquette: Jerel McNeal (Hillcrest) and Maurice Acker (Hillcrest).  These former high school teammates reunited in college after Acker transferred in from Ball State.  McNeal exploded onto the national scene last season after earning All-Conference awards.  This season, he should receive heavy consideration for All-American nominations.  The 6’3 combo guard can score the ball in a variety of ways, and made that apparent during the NCAA tournament last year by scoring 30 points against Stanford.  However, McNeal’s calling card may be his ability to defend.  Acker provides as a back up for both guard positions.  Even though he is 5’8’’, his great three-point shooting ability allows him to come in as a shooting guard. 

 

SEC

Kentucky: DeAndre Liggins (Chicago Washington).  After a successful three years in Chicago playing for Washington, Liggins headed to Vegas for prep school.  There, “The Big Ticket,” solidified himself as one of the nations top recruits.  At 6’6’’, Liggins possesses great ball-handling ability and court vision making him a difficult matchup for any defender.  With a developing outside shot, Liggins will definitely see early playing time as a freshman for the storied Kentucky Wildcat basketball program. 

Pac 10

California: Jerome Randle (Hales Franciscan).  This 5’10’’ point guard fits in perfectly with the Pac-10’s fast paced style of play.  Randle excels at pushing the ball and creating for others.  The junior-to-be can also score in bunches as his shooting range extends well outside the three point arch. 

 

Oregon: Joevan Catron (Thornton), Matt Humphrey (Hales Farnciscan), and Mike Dunnigan (Farragut).   The Ducks will have plenty of Chicago flavor on their roster this year, and they will be anchored by junior Joevan Catron.  Although Catron is only 6’5’’, he is as good as a power forward as there is in the conference.  With an array of post moves, and nasty aggressiveness on the boards, Catron cracked the rotation early as a sophomore.  He should make a strong case to be an All-Conference candidate by the season’s end.  Oregon also got a trio of incoming freshman from Chicago, two of which are expected to play early.  The first is McDonald’s All American, Mike Dunnigan.  The 6’10’’ center improved his game every season in high school, and that trend shouldn’t stop in college.  Dunnigan is athletic, has a good shooting touch, and is a true center.  He also possesses a great shot blocking ability to complement his fundamentally sound defense.  Humphrey, a 6’5’’ shooting guard, should see playing time due to his ability to fill it up from beyond the arch.  Humphrey also gained good experience this summer playing on Team USA’s 18 and under team. 

 

West Coast Conference

Gonzaga: Jeremy Pargo (Robeson).  Pargo returns at point guard for his senior season to lead the Bulldogs.  While he will be on everyone’s All-American watch lists, Pargo will be focused on taking Gonzaga to the Final Four.  Not many guards in the nation combine speed and strength as well as him.  Every year he has been in college he has been able to get into the lane and create for others, basically at will.  After flirting with the idea of going pro at the end of last season, Pargo will show how complete of a point guard he is offensively and defensively.