The state’s top freshman, 6-9 AJ Casey, is leaving Simeon.
Casey, who is among the top players in the nation in the Class of 2022 and the top-ranked prospect in the freshman class in Illinois, helped lead Simeon to a sectional title this past season. He scored the game-winning basket at the buzzer to beat Brother Rice in the regional championship.
The even bigger news is where the high-profile prospect is headed: Tinley Park.
Casey will be leaving what is arguably the biggest basketball hotbed and tradition-rich program in the state.
Tinley Park finished 14-11 this past season and went 6-7 in the South Suburban Blue Conference, the first winning season for the Titans in several seasons. The previous three seasons Tinley Park went a combined 13-67. The last regional championship came in 2008.
“There isn’t a whole lot to it and it’s nothing serious in terms of anything to do with Simeon,” Casey’s father, Andre, told the Sun-Times Saturday afternoon. “But he’s going to be living with his mother in Tinley Park.”
Casey’s father says his son will finish out the school year at Simeon and then attend Tinley Park next school year.
Casey instantly puts Tinley Park on the high school basketball map. Blessed with a combination of size and skill, Casey is already on the radar of high-major college programs across the country. The long, active big man has been a part of USA Basketball for the past year.
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