The whole concept of high-profile transfers in the Illinois prep basketball world began several years ago. This year
is no exception, with an abundance of high-profile transfers that will play a major impact on the season ahead.
Jereme Richmond’s arrival at Waukegan and Marcus
Jordan’s move from Loyola Academy to Whitney Young are about as
high profile as you will find. But there have been plenty of others.
The move of talented big man Stan Simpson from Leo to
Simeon instantly puts the Wolverines back in the state title picture again this winter. And
Cully Payne’s transfer from Burlington Central to
Schaumburg is another move that will play a major impact in the Mid-Suburban League. But the
lesser-known transfers, the ones no one talks about, will have some significance as well–just with less fanfare
and to a lesser degree in some cases.
While it didn’t register as much noise as the aforementioned transfers, junior Terrance Johnson
transfer to St. Rita from Seton Academy could have a huge impact on the
Chicago Catholic League race. The Hoops Report has always felt Johnson is a bit underrated in the Chicago area,
yet that is changing quickly. Both Baylor and Western Michigan have extended
offers to the point guard, while California and Missouri State are coming to
Chicago in coming weeks to check in on Johnson. With Johnson, one of the top 20 juniors in the state, on board and
returning players Roshawn Russell and Kendall Hayes returning, coach
Rob Sarmiento could have the Mustangs contending in the Catholic League. Russell is being
recruited heavily by Detroit.
There is so much to be positive about at Crete-Monee these days, with the opening of a beautiful
new school with great facilities and the arrival of coach Rocky Hill last year to the basketball
program. Hill, who brought instant name-recognition and credibility to the program, managed to win 13 games last
season after Crete-Monee won just two games the prior season. This season he welcomes back his leading
scorer, 6-3 Keeshaun Morrow, and point guard Tony Powell. But Hill will also
get a big lift from transfer Brett Ociepka, the son of veteran high school coach Bill
Ociepka. Brett Ociepka, who is just a junior, averaged 17 points a game last season at Beecher.
And Glenbard East, fresh off the best three-year run in school history, hopes to get a lift from a
couple of transfers. Danzell Walker, a 6-4 sophomore who played varsity last year for
Addison Trail as a freshman, will provided some much-needed size for Glenbard East. Add
Proviso West transfer Chris Sanders, a 6-2 junior, and some more building
blocks have been added for the next couple of years for the Rams.
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