Locals in their own league: The All-Illinois NBA team

Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis (3) dunks against Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler (22) and Jae Crowder (99) during the first half in Game 6 of basketball’s NBA Finals. | AP Photos

Anthony Davis represented the state and city of Chicago well.

The longest and most unique NBA season in history ended last week with the former local prep star fueling the Los Angeles Lakers to a NBA title.

Davis, now in his prime at age 27, has evolved into one of the top handful of players in the world.

He heads a list of former Illinois prep stars, which includes three undrafted players, who make up this 2019-20 All-NBA team from Illinois.

Illinois’ All-NBA First-Team

Anthony Davis, Lakers

2019-20 stats: 26.1 points per game, 9.3 rebounds per game, 2.3 blocks per game

Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (23) and Anthony Davis (3) celebrate after the Lakers defeated the Miami Heat 106-93 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

The mega-watt star, who played his high school basketball at Perspectives, was already a six-time all-star in New Orleans before being traded to Lakers a year ago. He took full advantage of the platform the Lakers provided, teamed up with Lebron James and captured a title while raising his future Hall of Fame profile further.

Kendrick Nunn, Heat

2019-20 stats: 15.3 points per game, 3.3 assists per game, 137 three-pointers

Kendrick Nunn #25 of the Miami Heat drives the ball against Rajon Rondo #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals.

After spending a year with the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League, the former Simeon star burst on the scene this year in his first NBA season. He shined in his NBA debut with 24 points and never looked back, ultimately finishing second to Ja Morant in NBA Rookie of the Year voting.

Nunn, who helped the Heat to a NBA Finals appearance, is the first undrafted player in NBA history to win multiple Rookie of the Month awards.

Derrick Rose, Pistons

2019-20 stats: 18.1 points per game, 5.6 assists per game

Detroit Pistons guard Derrick Rose drives during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls.

The former Simeon star –– and former league MVP with the Chicago Bulls –– has rejuvenated his career. The 18.1 points a game is Rose’s highest scoring average in a season since he was an all-star in 2011-12.

Rose put together his second straight solid season and has emerged as one of the best sixth men in the NBA. He became the first player in Pistons history to record seven consecutive 20-plus point games as a reserve.

Fred VanVleet, Raptors

2019-20 stats: 17.6 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, 6.6 assists per game

Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) makes a pass around Chicago Bulls guard Ryan Arcidiacono.

After playing a key role during Toronto’s run to a 2019 NBA title, VanVleet started every game this past season and his numbers skyrocketed. Now the 26-year-old Van Vleet is poised for a big payday as an unrestricted free agent following a career year.

The 6-0 point guard, who led Rockford Auburn to a IHSA third-place finish in 2012, shined all season. On opening night he received his NBA ring and then went out and pumped in 34 points. He became the first Raptors player in history to record 30 points and 10 assists in a playoff game.

Robert Covington, Timberwolves/Rockets

2019-20 stats: 12.4 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game, 161 three-pointers

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Robert Covington, right, drives to the basket against the Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen.

The Proviso West alum has carved out a nice seven-year career in the NBA after going undrafted in 2013 following a terrific four seasons at Tennessee State.

The 6-7 forward was his steady self all season. In February he was traded to the Houston Rockets, where he began his NBA career in 2013, and showed his versatility by playing center in “small ball lineup” in the NBA Bubble.

The bench

Patrick Beverley, Clippers (Marshall). A starter for one of the league’s best teams, the 6-1 guard averaged 7.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists.

Jabari Parker, Hawks/Kings (Simeon). Limited to just 38 games due to injury, Parker still managed to put up 15 points and six rebounds.

Jalen Brunson, Mavericks (Stevenson). In just his second season after leading Villanova to a pair of national titles while in college, Brunson averaged 8.2 points and 3.3 assists.

JaVale McGee, Lakers (Hales Franciscan). The 12-year NBA veteran put up minimal numbers but started every regular-season game for the NBA champs.