Lost time to shine for Young’s Casey
This December was supposed to be the introduction to a bigger stage for AJ Casey, the state’s top- ranked junior prospect.
As a freshman at Simeon, he played an important but small role for the Wolverines. Last year as a sophomore at Tinley Park, he was rarely seen by the masses.
But after a transfer to Young, the 6- 8 forward was poised to be a must- see attraction in prep hoops this fall and winter, boasting versatility and skill you don’t typically see in a player his size. Because of the national schedule Young plays every year, he was to have been involved in a number of high- profile events, including the Chicago Elite Classic, the Beach Ball Classic in Florida and a trip to Washington, D. C., in December alone.
But because of the coronavirus pandemic, those opportunities have been canceled, and the coming months are still up in the air.
“It’s definitely been frustrating,” Casey said. “You do get frustrated with how everything is right now. I was excited about being able to showcase myself, to showcase my talent. But you take it day by day and stay positive, keep working and keep believing that something positive will happen.”
Even with the season on hold, the list of suitors for Casey is growing — and it includes high- major programs across the country. Casey says he has a pretty long list of schools he hears from regularly and has interest in.
“All the schools are doing their job, giving me the same amount of attention, but Michigan, Gonzaga, Louisville and Ohio State are a few that stand out for different reasons,” he said. “It’s early, and I’m sure a lot will change when things get back to normal.”
When Sides Collide canceled
The Jan. 23 When Sides Collide Shootout, presented by the City/ Suburban Hoops Report, has joined the list of events called off because of the coronavirus.
The slate of games this year had looked to be arguably the best in the shootout’s nearly decadelong run: Simeon vs. Evanston, Young vs. Notre Dame, Rolling Meadows vs. Fenwick and Benet vs. Glenbard West. That lineup almost undoubtedly would have included seven top- 25 teams, including six preseason top- 10 teams and arguably the top four teams in the state. The Rolling Meadows- Fenwick game also would have featured a matchup between the top two prospects in the state — the Mustangs’ Max Christie and the Friars’ Bryce Hopkins.
Storr’s star brighter after two transfers
It has been a busy fall on and off the court for AJ Storr, a budding star from Kankakee.
An athletic 6- 5 wing who showed much promise while playing for coach Chris Pickett and the Kays last season as a junior, Storr announced he was leaving Kankakee late in the summer. He then transferred to Las Vegas powerhouse Bishop Gorman.
Recently, he was on the move again, landing at Arizona Compass Prep. He’s now a reclassified Class of 2022 prospect and an emerging player in the junior class.
That move to the junior class, along with some eye- opening performances in fall showcases, has helped his stock soar in the last month. Illinois made him an offer over Thanksgiving weekend. He now has offers from several mid- majors, along with highmajor offers from the Illini, Mississippi and Virginia Tech.