James Young- Rochester High School / University of Kentucky

            Willie Cauley-Stein, Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison, Alex Poythress, Julius Randle, and James Young. What do these six elite basketball players have in common? According to nbadraft.net and draftexpress.com, each of them is projected to be drafted in the 2014 NBA draft, and all of them will be wearing blue and white this upcoming college basketball season as they work to bring the University of Kentucky Wildcats back to a championship season.

            Along with Cauley-Stein, both Harrisons, and Randle, James Young is projected to be picked up early, in the draft’s lottery—something that has been a goal of his since he was little.

            “I first started playing basketball when I was three years old,” Young says, “At first, it was just my dad and I messing around, but I started to really get serious about it when I was five. It’s always been a goal of mine to play in the NBA. I think that’s every basketball player’s dream.”

            At 6’6” and 204 lbs., Young, a recent graduate of Rochester High School located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, says he’s excited to head out to Lexington to play under renowned Coach John Calipari.

            “I chose Kentucky because they’re more of a family and I’m a big family person. Off the court, they’re always together talking about how to get better and everybody is just really close.”

Young adds, “I’ve talked to a lot of guys on the team: Willie Cauley-Stein, Ryan Harrow, Alex Poythress, and Nerlens Noel. They told me it’s going to be tough. Cal doesn’t promise anything. Just go out there and work hard.”

He is also looking forward to playing alongside Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison, and Julius Randle.

All incoming freshmen, Young says, “They are all great guys. I can’t wait to play with them. We have all had the chance to play against each other throughout the summer, but the McDonald’s All American Game was my first time playing with the twins on the same team.”

After a dominating 2011-2012 season ending with a national championship, the Kentucky Wildcats came back in 2012-2013 with a less than dazzling season. Having not been selected for the 2013 NCAA tournament, many spectators question how the team is going to respond to the devastating season. Young does not see an issue with bringing Wildcats back on top.

 “A lot of people say it is going to be a lot of pressure for us, and they are going to expect big things from us. I think we should be just fine if we just be players and play our game. Our goal is to just try not to think about last year at all and try to keep moving forward and get better at everything.”

He adds, “It’s a blessing. A lot of kids don’t get the same opportunity as we do to get to play for such an outstanding basketball school. It is a big deal. We can’t take it for granted and [have to] come out big on the court.”

As a shooting guard, Young says his left handedness has been his greatest advantage as he continues to improve at his position.

“Most defenders are used to guarding right-handed people. Because I’m left-handed, it’s different and more difficult for them, and I try to take advantage of that.”

Off the court, he tries to strengthen his weaker hand by writing right-handed.

Aside from his ball handling skills, Young says his job is to be a leader on the court and bring energy to the team.

“I try to pick everybody up on the court. I try to get all eyes on me, so I can get everybody else on the team the ball. [As a leader], my job is to be more vocal on the court, do the right things, and tell people where to go or where they should be.”

Young says he really started to “blow up on the court” in the summer of 2012. In the title game of the 2012 Nike Global Challenge located in Washington D.C., he helped team USA top Andrew Wiggins—the number one ranked recruit in the class of 2013 and a Kansas commit—and team Canada while scoring a game total of 29 points after shooting 12-23—including five baskets from behind the arc and a 16 point run within a six minute stretch. Young then received the MVP award. He remembers this game as his greatest memory of his basketball career thus far.

During the time before he goes out to Lexington, Young plans to work hard every day to improve on his game and “keep getting better as a person both on and off the court.”

His greatest support when it comes to achieving his goals, Young says, is his grandma and his father.

“Off the court, I’d have to say my grandma has been the best at helping me improve as a person. She’s always been there for me for everything. On the court, I’d have to say my dad has helped me the most. He always works with me and pushes me to work hard every day.”

As for now, Young continues to grow as a player and is projected to be the number five draft pick in 2014 by nbadraft.net. However, Young says he doesn’t pay attention to recruiting websites and draft predictions.      

“I don’t really pay attention to that. I just focus on playing my game and getting better. [For now], there’s nothing to celebrate. I haven’t made it there yet.”

Tyler Ulis- Marian Catholic High School

            Imagine moving away from the place you’ve called home for your entire life. Think about leaving your family, friends, and everything you’ve ever known to take the risk of trying to make it big in a city filled with some of the most elite high school basketball players in the country. Tyler Ulis did just that when he moved from Lima, Ohio to Chicago to join the Eastern Suburban Catholic Conference (ESCC) and play at Marian Catholic High School.

“It’s completely different,” Ulis says of playing in Chicago rather than Lima, “Here it has a lot more competition. That’s one of the main reasons why I moved out here. In Ohio, a Catholic league wouldn’t have good teams like this.”

Ulis says he chose to attend Marian Catholic because it was a school based on more than just basketball.

“My dad wanted me to choose an academic school. Somewhere that is not just based on basketball and Marian was the closest thing to that around our neighborhood.”

Ulis’ mother has also stood as a strong support system throughout his basketball career.

 “It was hard for [my mom] for me to move out here with my dad, but she let me do it because she knew I wanted to accomplish my goals. She still travels with me everywhere I go. She travels to South Carolina. She travels to Chicago. If we have a three game back to back stretch, she will travel four hours here and four hours back every day.”

Leading the Spartans to a second place spot in the 2012-2013 ESCC standings and an eighth place ranking in the Chicago Sun-Times Super 25, Ulis was the second leading scorer of the ESCC with a season total of 142 points behind Saint Viator’s Ore Arogundade, who topped the league with 154 total points on the season.

“I’ve made all conference two years, so I feel like I’m on the same level as the top players in our league. It’s a tough league, so I just have to keep working at it, and hopefully I win player of the conference one year.”

Basketball has always been a love for Tyler Ulis. Ulis formerly ran track and played football. However, he eventually gave up the two sports to focus more on improving his basketball skills.

“I’ve always loved it. Since day one, I’ve always had a ball in my hand running up and down the stairs. Track, I was always pretty good at it—probably better than basketball-but [basketball] was just what I loved, so I stayed with it.”

Standing 5’8” and 150 pounds, Ulis does not have the advantage of height on his side, which forces him to focus on improving that much more on other key aspects of his game.

“I’ve tried to improve my range with my shot. I try to work on my body more because I’m not going to grow too much, so I have to get stronger and quicker than everybody else on the court.”

Ulis says that he has stuck with the point guard position since day one.

“I’ve always been a point guard,” he adds, “Skill wise, [my family and coaches] knew I was going to be short so we had to work on being a point guard. We knew I wasn’t going to play center. My dad, step dad, and cousin, Travis Walton, have helped me out a lot.”

Walton formerly played under Coach Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans. He was selected as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2009.

Ulis describes himself as “a pass first point guard and can lead the team well.”

"I lead by getting teammates involved and getting everybody to play hard. I put confidence in my players. I can score when I’m asked to, but I just try to play the game to win."

Leadership, he believes, is the most important aspect of a point guard’s game.

Ulis says, “I try to be a leader by example. When your team is down you try to pick them up. I can’t let my team get behind.”

Ulis looks up to NBA greats Chris Paul and Allen Iverson and AP National College Player of the Year, Trey Burke. He tries to mirror some aspects of their play in his own.

“With Allen Iverson, his crossover. Chris Paul, I like how he’s a leader on the floor. Both in the way he plays and how he’s vocal. Trey Burke, I just like how he plays all around.”

Ulis even wears the number three in reflection of Iverson.

“He’s been my favorite player ever since I was young.”

As for Ulis’ personal goals in his basketball career, he hopes to play Division 1 college basketball, and then hopefully enter the NBA. Going into his senior year, Ulis has offers from Butler, Colorado State, DePaul, Florida, Florida State, Illinois at Chicago, Iowa, Loyola Chicago, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northern Illinois, Northwestern, Oregon State, Purdue, Southern California, and Vanderbilt.

Like any high schooler, Ulis says he was excited when he received his first college scholarship offer, which came from Loyola Chicago.

“I was happy because not too many big schools were looking at me because of my size. I was about 5’4” as a freshman, so as I started to grow more colleges started looking at me. Once I received my first offer they have pushed me to work harder and get more.”  

Some people may think the odds are stacked against a 5’8” point guard making it big in basketball, but with his hard work and dedication, Tyler Ulis is just the one for the job.

Jahlil Okafor- Whitney Young Magnet High School

“I’m sure she would be proud of me,” says Whitney Young’s star center Jahlil Okafor of his mother who passed away from bronchitis when he was only 9 years old.

“I always say if she were here, I’m not sure I would work as hard as I have with basketball. [Losing her] has helped me take basketball more seriously. The next day, after it happened, I remember playing basketball, and it took my mind off of everything. Ever since then, I’ve kind of forced myself to take things more seriously.”

Named the top ranked high school basketball player in the nation for the class of 2014, according to rivals.com, Okafor’s hard work and focus have paved the way to accomplishments that most athletes his age only dream of. Most recently, he was named the 2013 Sun- Times Player of the Year—an honor given to Simeon’s Jabari Parker in 2012.

Okafor primarily credits his Whitney Young teammates for helping him pull ahead of Parker this year as the top varsity player in Illinois.

             “I think my teammates really made me look good this year,” says Okafor, “We went around the whole country beating some of the best teams around. That wasn’t anything that I did necessarily, but I think more so toward my teammates.”

            In addition to his teammates, Okafor credits his family and coaching staff for helping develop him into the dominant player that he is today.

“I would give a lot of credit to my family. Of course hard work goes into that, but I could easily stop working. My family stays on me to keep me grounded. So it all goes to my family.”

“My coaches have helped me out a lot—especially Coach Tyrone Slaughter. He’s really helped me become a leader. I would usually just come to practice and do what I was supposed to do, and if anybody else was slacking off I wouldn’t say anything. Now, I am a leader on the team. I try to lead the guys on the court. Off the court, I try to be a leader by example, and also help them out if they make mistakes.”

Along with Okafor, Whitney Young has two other players ranked within the top sixty-five players in the nation, juniors L.J. Peak and Paul White.

“I think it shows how the school really develops our players. For L.J., Paul and I, we were all very talented before we got here, but everybody here has gotten better since they’ve been a part of Whitney Young, so that says a lot for our coaching staff.”

Although he has noticeably improved since he started at Whitney Young, Okafor was already recognized as an elite player when he was still in junior high.

“In eighth grade I started to realize that I had a chance to be really good. I went to the freshman All American camp, and I was recognized as the top freshman there. Ever since then, I realized that if I took it seriously I could really do something in basketball.”

Before entering high school, Okafor had already begun being recognized by D-1 college basketball programs. His first offer coming from DePaul University, Okafor literally did not believe it at first.

“I received my first offer in eighth grade. I was aware [DePaul] was about to offer me [a scholarship]. I just remember the next day I was on ESPN. I didn’t get to see it. It came on the morning show. I remember waking up, and I had like ten missed calls, and people were telling me that I was on ESPN. I thought everybody was lying. Then, I finally saw it for myself.”

Since then, Okafor has received numerous offers from other major programs.

“I’ve received offers from Michigan State, Ohio State, Florida, Florida State, Kentucky, Kansas, UCONN, Georgetown, Illinois, DePaul, Northwestern, Arizona, Baylor, Arkansas, Louisville. I’m sure I forgot some people. Oh, North Carolina, Duke, NC State. That’s the majority of it. I think.”

So, what is it about Jahlil Okafor that makes him such an eye catcher to the top D-1 basketball programs in the country?

“A lot of people recognize me as being a dominant post player,” says Okafor “and also being dominant on both ends of the court.” Adding, “I’m trying to be more dominant on the defensive end because right now I’m known as scoring a lot of points on the block and things like that, so I want to be more dominant on the defensive end of the floor.”

He says he is trying to model his game after stand-out NBA players such as Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwan, and Tim Duncan.

“Just because they all play my position, and they were the best to ever do it at my position.”

As of now, Okafor will continue leading the Whitney Young Dolphins through the IHSA playoffs attempting to knock off some of the most talented teams in the country.

“I think the competition explains everything about Chicago. I always say we have the best basketball players in the country. Derrick Rose, Anthony Davis, of course, Jabari, myself and Cliff. I think it puts a mental toughness on you because nobody in Chicago really cares who you are. When you step on the court, you are going to have to play. So, I think that speaks for itself.”

 His next opponent is Cliff Alexander and the Curie Metropolitan basketball team at sectionals. Curie and Whitney Young face off tonight at Argo Community High School. The winner will go on to play Simeon and Jabari Parker in the Sectional Championship.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun, but of course, I expect my team to win, says Okafor, “I’ve been playing against Cliff since about eighth grade. That’s one of my best friends. I consider him to be one of my brothers. It’s going to be a lot of fun playing against somebody that you’re so close with. It’s going to be exciting. I can’t wait. I’m looking forward to it.”

Glynn Watson- St. Joseph High School

            A small private school located in the Chicago suburb of Westchester, Illinois, St. Joseph High School has created a prominent name for itself on the basketball court. Having entered season after season with highly competitive and talented varsity teams, the Chargers are most famous for their legendary alumni. From Basketball Hall of Famer, Isiah Thomas to the 2010 National College Player of the Year, Evan Turner, St. Joe’s has continuously produced top notch players, and this year is no exception.

St. Joe’s head coach Gene Pingatore, one of few high school basketball coaches to win over 900 games and a member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, has high hopes for his starting point guard, sophomore Glynn Watson who he believes “has the potential to be one of the best point guards in the state.”

“He’s not there yet. He still has a lot of work to do. Everyone thinks it’s just automatic, but there are a lot of things that he still has to learn. That’s why you don’t see the consistency that you would like to,” says Pingatore.

“On the court, I just try to be a leader,” says Watson, “I’m a fast pace point guard, and if we need to score at the end, I try to score and get my team involved. I try to get everybody on the same page because, when we’re not, that’s how turnovers happen. I want to create a relationship with all of my teammates.”

Relationships on the St. Joe’s basketball team, Watson says, are extremely unified. There is no one person on the team that Watson feels he connects with more than others.

“All of my teammates. We have a close relationship, so basically all of them.”

“My coaches have done a lot to make me a better player. They push me more every day in practice. Ping does a lot of yelling, so that gets me mentally tougher.”

Watson’s relationship with Coach Pingatore is also very strong.

“It’s really close because I’ve known him since my brother was here and all that, so it’s close.”

Watson is the younger brother of Demetri McCamey, a former University of Illinois point guard and St. Joe’s alumnus. McCamey, who is now playing for the Erie Bayhawks—the D-League affiliate of the New York Knicks—believes his brother’s  “potential is through the roof.”

 “He should be better than both my brother Dre and I,” says McCamey, “At his age, I was stronger and more athletic, but he [has a better knowledge of the game]. Physically, he has longer arms than me. He’s just a little better in all aspects of being a true point guard.”

For Watson and McCamey, basketball is “a family thing.”

Watson says that he has learned a lot from watching his brother play and develop his career in professional basketball.

“I’ve seen him go through a lot of pressure so I know what to expect and all that comes with trying to make it big. He’s taught me how to be a better point guard and how to run a team and be a leader.”

 “My brothers help me a lot because they pressure me—especially in practice—to work on my game and get stronger every day. We go to the gym every time they come home and just work on all the aspects of our game every morning and afternoon.”

Although he may be improving at a faster pace than his older brothers, when it comes to a one-on-one battle, Glynn laughs, “I won a couple of them, but they’ve won most of them.”

Both Glynn and his brothers agree that Chicago is currently the location of the best competition in high school basketball. Playing alongside elite class of 2015 players such as St. Rita’s Charles Matthews, Simeon’s DJ Williams, and his own St. Joe’s teammate Jordan Ash, Watson will have a lot of work to do in order to continue his optimistic future.

 “There are a lot of tough players in Chicago. I just try to compete with them, too. It’s special playing at St. Joe’ because a lot of players don’t get to play here and I get a chance to, so it’s special.”

Like his older brother, Watson strives to continue to play basketball for a long time.

“For my team, I just want to try to go downstate and win the championship. In the long term, I’d like to make it to the NBA someday.”

Cliff Alexander- Curie Metropolitan High School

One of the top basketball recruits in his class, Chicago Curie’s junior center, Cliff Alexander, has set a bright future for himself—most likely on one of the more prestigious college basketball courts in the country. At 6’9”, 240 lbs, Alexander ranks fourth in the nation and second in the state of Illinois for the class of 2014 according to rivals.com. However, it wasn’t until he entered high school, Alexander says, that things really started to get going involving his basketball career.

“My freshman year,” he says is when it became evident that his talent outshined the others. “After my freshman season, they said I was going to be really good.”

So good, in fact, that Cliff Alexander and Chicago Simeon standout Jabari Parker were the only unanimous selections to the First All Tournament Team for the recently completed 82^nd Annual Pontiac Holiday Tournament. Some observers say he “absolutely dominated” the tournament and may have been the best player on the court.

Having only started playing organized basketball in eighth grade, Alexander hasn’t received as much overwhelming publicity as Parker and Chicago Whitney Young’s Jahlil Okafor, the number one recruit in the nation for the class of 2014. However, going into his sophomore year, Cliff was already receiving scholarship offers from several major college basketball programs.

“First, I received an offer from Illinois. I didn’t show any emotion, but deep down inside it was like ‘Wow, I got an offer from Illinois. That’s a big deal.’”

Since then, Alexander has received offers from a number of esteemed Division-1 college basketball programs including: Baylor, Connecticut, DePaul, Florida State, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Memphis, Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Although he does not plan to narrow down his list until the end of the year, Alexander says he “[likes] Kentucky and Michigan State. They get the ball up and run.”

Modeling his game after New York Knicks’ star Amar’e Stoudemire, Alexander sees similarities amongst their “jump shots, pick n’ pop, and great screens.”

Personally, Alexander describes himself as one who “plays great defense and rebounds the ball, but I’m still working on my jump shot and ball handling.”

Crediting numerous teammates, coaches, and friends with helping him develop into the elite player that he is today; Alexander specifically thanks his eighth grade coach for starting him off and setting the platform for a successful career still in the making. He also credits his mother for providing a strong support system throughout his life.

“My mom motivates me to go to school, get good grades, and go hard on the court.”

Both on and off the court, Alexander is closest to Curie’s junior point guard off the bench, Alondre Pickens.

“I connect most with Alondre out of all the guys on the team. He’s like my little brother.”

As for his future, Alexander’s biggest goal is to be drafted into the NBA. An avid fan, he is a keen follower of the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and Oklahoma City Thunder. Along with Amar’e Stoudemire, Alexander looks up to Thunder standout Kevin Durant as a role model.

Cliff has a big reputation built up and will continue to be watched by major recruiters throughout the next two seasons of his high school career. However, when asked if he ever feels any extra pressure knowing the extent to which people are counting on him, Cliff responds, “I don’t pay attention to all of that. I just play my game.”

Jabari Parker- Simeon Career Academy

            The University of Kansas. The University of Kentucky. The University of North Carolina. What do these schools all have in common? First of all, they are all known for having three of the most elite college basketball programs of all time and consistently signing the top recruits each year. What these schools also share is that none are on Jabari Parker’s list of the top five schools he is considering attending next fall which includes Brigham Young, Duke, Florida, Michigan State, and Stanford.

            Parker is one of the most sought after recruits of his class, ranking second in the nation for the class of 2013 according to ESPN. He was formerly ranked number one before the reclassification of Andrew Wiggins from Huntington Prep in Huntington, West Virgina. Yet, there is much more to Jabari Parker outside of his basketball talent.  When Parker is on your team, not only do you get an extremely gifted athlete, but also a faith-devoted, family oriented, leader.

            A devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Parker says that his faith has greatly structured the well-rounded person that he is today.

“[My faith] has impacted my life so much,” says Parker, “It helps me outside of the court and helps me master the things I want. [It also] helps obtain a good image because a lot of people look at that, and I want to make good decisions throughout my life.”

Although Parker recently announced that he will go to college in 2013 as opposed to immediately pursuing his Mormon mission following high school, it is “still in the clouds,” he says as to what he plans to do after his freshmen school year.

“I still haven’t decided, but you usually go [on a mission] at age 19.”

            In addition to his faith, Parker also credits his family and friends at church for being there to support him and help him develop both on and off the court.

“My parents and other family members are who I look up to. They’re always there for me. People at church have also helped in my spiritual growth. My brother has helped me by training me and getting my body together. He’s been helping me a lot.”

Previously injuring his right foot, Parker played in his first game in four months at the Chicago Elite Classic held at the UIC Pavilion on December 1st. After playing about half of the game due to a high score margin, Parker confidently stated, “The foot is good. Around my injury, like the ankle, it’s kind of sore because I’m not used to running. This is my first time running a lot, so it’s good.”

Attending the Classic were Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo, DePaul head coach Oliver Purnell, and University of Illinois head coach John Groce. Out of those three, Izzo is the only man left standing in the race for Parker. However, this may not have been the case at this time last year when Bruce Weber was still coaching the Fighting Illini and Illinois was still on Jabari Parker’s list.

“Our relationship’s been real good,” Parker says of Weber, “He’s [known] me longer than any of these head coaches in college basketball. I feel like we had a relationship. He knew me. I knew him. I liked his style, and I would have probably considered him if he [hadn’t left Illinois.]”

Parker says that he has only spoken with Weber once since he made the move to Kansas State.

“I’ve talked to him one time. That was in the spring, but the recruiting process kind of went down, and it just went off the wall as soon as I made my decision.”

As for his awaited decision regarding where he will attend school next fall, Parker says, “It’s just a lot of things that I have to worry about, and I’m trying to focus on things that are going to help me [in the future]. [My family] makes it my own decision. They don’t base it off anybody else. I don’t base my decision off anybody else.”

Parker does base one thing off of somebody else, and that is Chicago Bulls and former Simeon superstar Derrick Rose. 

“I compare myself [with Derrick] as far as just trying to impact Simeon in the best way I could. Everything that he had I want it --- state championships, individual accolades. I just want to beat him because that’s my competitive nature. I just want to leave Simeon with almost being the top dog.”

Those are high expectations for Parker coming out of a school with such a profound basketball history as Simeon Career Academy. With at least four alumni having NBA experience, Parker has had some big shoes to fill.

“It’s been good playing at Simeon. You look at a lot of people, and I look up to them. They went to your school, and it gives you another reason to play just as hard.”

Simeon is also the home to former high school basketball star Ben Wilson. Wilson, who was shot to death just prior to his senior season, was the first Chicago basketball player to be named the top high school basketball player in the country. Parker had Wilson’s iconic number 25 stitched to the team’s sneakers as a sign of respect for the Simeon great and was featured in the ESPN 30/30 special “Benji”.

Parker says of the “Benji” experience, “It was good. I just wanted to be there to support him. I know he’s not alive, so every time I get an opportunity I want to pay homage.”

Giving back and giving service to others is a very important part of Jabari Parker’s life. If he was not playing basketball, Parker says that he’d “probably be giving back to [the] community,” he says, “I’ve always wanted to be a community activist because there’s a lot of people that made it and supported me and are the reasons why I am succeeding today.”

Parker is expected to make his big college decision before the end of winter. Until then, he will be focusing on his goals for this season at Simeon.

“The most important goal for this year is winning the state championship. That’s what I want to win. All of the other individual accolades can handle itself, but I just want to anticipate every game like it’s my last.”

Ty Isaac- Joliet Catholic Academy

          Draped with offers from schools holding prestigious football traditions such as the University of Georgia, the Ohio State University, and the University of Oklahoma, in addition to many more, Joliet Catholic running back Ty Isaac has decided that next season he is going to take his talents to Los Angeles and play for the renowned Trojans of the University of Southern California.

“After my first visit, I kind of had my mind made up. I just had to wait for my family to come out and visit with me and see what their [opinion] was on everything,” says Isaac. Adding, “It’s a really good group of guys [on the team]; they play hard. I’m excited to get out there.”

At 6’3”, 217 pounds and one of the top running backs in the nation, Isaac has played at the varsity level for the Hilltoppers and head coach Dan Sharp since his freshmen year.

"We know Ty is a great football player. The impact [he] has made on our team and school community goes way beyond his talent. Ty is a great leader and has a strong competitive spirit to be the best. This is contagious; Ty makes everyone around him better,” says Sharp.

His most successful year coming as a junior, Isaac rushed for 2,114 yards with 45 touchdowns in addition to a state record breaking 515 yards with six touchdowns in the team’s loss to Montini in the 2011 state championship. Resulting from his unbelievable season, Isaac was named the 2011 Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year and the ESPNChicago.com Offensive Player of the Year.

Although Isaac hasn’t had as much playing time this season as in the past due to a shoulder injury that he suffered during the season opener against Providence Catholic, he has rushed for a total of 799 yards with ten touchdowns and is hoping to add on to these totals in the playoffs.

As a player, Ty doesn’t “categorize [himself] as anything,” saying, “I just try to do what I need to help the team out.” Personally, Isaac says that he brings to the Hilltoppers “a winning attitude and leadership.”

He has had an obviously impressive high school career, but what made it all come together for Ty Isaac? How did he become the special competitor that he is today?  

            Ty began his football career when he was just six years old as a center in Joliet’s public league. Transitioning to a running back after his first year, he continued in the league through eighth grade.

 “I always wanted [to be] a running back.  [That’s what] my dad played. The first year I wanted to it didn’t work out, but ever since then I’ve been playing.”

Ty had done well during his fifth through eighth grade seasons. However, when the time came for the rankings of the class of 2013, it was evident that Ty was something special.

“After they did the first rankings for our class going into freshmen year, I made the top one hundred. That was when it was like okay maybe you’re really good.”

Ty says that his family has been his biggest support system throughout his life and football career.

“They’ve impacted all of the decisions that I’ve made, my work ethic, and the way I play.”

Ty adds that his coaches have also always been there to support and help him with many of his decisions in addition to building on the work ethic that has been structured by his family.

As for his future coaching staff at USC, Ty has a “good relationship with them, and hopefully can build on it more once [he gets] out there.”

Ty recently had a discussion with a Trojan coach about the number that he will wear next season. Ty is number 32 at Joliet Catholic; the number he has worn for the majority of his life and also the number that his dad wore. Though, in honor of former USC star O.J. Simpson, the number is retired.

“I actually talked to the coach the other day. I want to wear number four when I’m there because I wore that my freshmen and sophomore years. If I can’t get four, I want to wear 2. So, we’ll see what happens.”

We’ll see what happens for sure. That is with the future of Ty Isaac and football. One thing is for sure, he has set himself up for a successful future with USC football and possibly even further than that.

In addition to cheering on the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Bulls, Ty’s plans for this offseason include working out and just getting better.

“I think, collectively, my whole game could be a lot better. It’s just going to take time to really pin point what acutely needs to be worked on, but we’ll figure it out and work harder.”

When asked about whether or not he ever feels any pressure on the field having the reputation that he does as an athlete, Ty simply responds, “No, but at the same time if you can’t play with pressure, you’re probably not very good.”