The basketball season in warming up. Many girls and boys teams start their seasons this month. Inspired by 1992 Olympic Dream Team leader and Chicago icon Michael Jordan, TheMash assembled a Dream Team of Chicago Public League stars — many of them highly-prized prospects by college basketball recruits around the country.
PAUL BUNCH
6-11, C, North Lawndale
Scouting report: Bunch is arguably the most talented post-player in the Public League. The Phoenix’s center made a case for being called the best when he dropped 18 points, pulled down 11 rebounds, and blocked four shots in the Class 2A title game last year. The title game really must have motivated Bunch: He averaged just 8.3 points per game and 7 rebounds per game during the regular season.
Recruiting: Bunch has a great frame, and is still growing. Look for him to take a look at schools such as Illinois.
CHRIS COLVIN
6-3, PG, Whitney Young
Scouting report: With a score-first and pass-later mentality, this is a beast from the west, much like shooting guard Marcus Jordan. Colvin will try to prove that he is hands down the best point guard in Chicago. He’s very fast and has great body control and a hesitation dribble to evade defenders. But there are areas where he can improve: watching where he dribbles, making better decisions, increasing shooting range and driving up the middle with more speed and force.
Recruiting: Colvin’s top college picks are Southern California and Illinois.
CRANDALL HEAD
6-4, SG, Crane
Scouting report: The brother of Houston Rocket and former Illini star Luther Head, is a good ball-handler but not a ball hog. Crandall Head’s a finisher who is very athletic, has a great jumper from 20 feet and, just like his brother, is an above-average defensive player.
Recruiting: Head made a verbal commitment to Illinois, a great place to help him develop and show off his skills.
CHRIS EVERSLEY
6-5, SF, Walter Payton
Scouting report: Eversley can catch, shoot in the lane and outside the arc, and rebound. But he has to improve on making plays off his dribble.
Recruiting: Eversley picked Rice, making him the first male athlete at Walter Payton to commit to a Division I school in any sport.
JONATHAN MILLS
6-4, PF, North Lawndale
Scouting report: This power forward is a beast on the boards, and along with center Paul Bunch, he led the North Lawndale Phoenix to the Class 2A title. Mills averaged 15.7 points per game last season. If Mills develops more low-post moves, look for him to be a big threat in college.
Recruiting: Mills gets mentioned in college recruiting circles and is considering UIC and DePaul as possible choices for college.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Marcus Jordan
6-3, SG, Whitney Young
Lugene Johnson 5-11, PG, Amundsen
Darius Smith,6-2, SG, John Marshall
Wayne Blackshear 6-4, SG, Curie
Courtney Bell 6-6, PF, Lincoln Park
Robert Robinson,6-5, SF, Simeon
Jordan
Scott Strazzante/ Tribune Photo
