A PERIOD OF UNREST

 The state’s No.1 player in the 2022 Class A.J. Casey has departed Tinley Park after one season. The six-foot eight talented forward spent his freshman year at Chicago Simeon, now Casey has elected to return to the Public League for his Junior campaign where he will attend Whitney Young. Casey is viewed on most National Scouting Services to be among the Top 20 prospects in the country. The big fella is a good student and a great kid, he sizes up Whitney Young as an opportunity for growth with academics, cultural, & social experiences. That is huge, we wish more youngsters summed-up their vision for self-growth in that matter. Reportedly he is in no hurry to make a decision on Colleges yet, but he lists Michigan, Iowa State, Purdue, Ohio State, Illinois, DePaul, and Gonzaga as his current favorites. 

I love my people so I’m not aiming darts in anyone’s direction but now that we’re in tune with so much surveillance, I’m lusting for an opportunity to build a Program from ground-level up without the transfer acquisitions, which I know is widely prevalent in today’s climate. It is a necessary formula to orchestrate a quick fix.  What would be exhilarating feeling for us is to witness the growth/development of young players on & off the court within your Program at all three levels. This would be like building your Program for sustaining long-term success year and year out. It is healthy to be a dreamer, especially if you have a visionary plan.

Bryce Hopkins re-opening his recruiting after de-committing from his early Louisville pledge was certainly the hottest topic of the summer for many of us locals. A Top 40 National Prospect has the game/profile to attract the likes of Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, as well as Big 10 Schools, Illinois, and Ohio State. Stay tuned…

One of the more surprising moves and the other hot topic of the summer, that blind-sided many during the midst of a Pandemic was Kenwood High School naming Mike Irvin as its new varsity Head Coach. Mike, not having any high school coaching experience, will heighten the Kenwood profile immediately and make for interesting dynamics in an already competitively spirited Red-South. Now we can wait for word to come down that talented Javonte “J.J.” Taylor, who is regarded as the No.1 player in the 2023 Class, is transferring over from Morgan Park.

Another hot stove topic was the hire of DeWayne Peevy as the new Athletic Director at DePaul University, who has replaced long time AD Jean Lenti Ponsetto, who is retiring after 45-year career at the University. She has served as DePaul AD for the last 18 years. What makes things interesting is Peevy who is the first black administrator at DePaul and has notable distinction of coming over from the University of Kentucky. Salute to DePaul!