Ahamad Bynum, A.J. Casey, Jaylen Drane form another terrific Simeon trio

Another year and another group of enormously talented young players in the Simeon program.

Over the decades, hype and super young talent go hand-in-hand when it comes to Simeon basketball and its talent pipeline.

Robert Smith has certainly had his share of uber-talented freshmen and sophomores over the course of his 14 years as the head coach at the South Side power, some of which he’s had no room for at the varsity level. Many have patiently waited their turn.

The current freshman and sophomore classes at Simeon are stockpiled with depth and talent, but it’s the trio of sophomore Ahamad Bynum and freshmen A.J. Casey and Jaylen Drane that has everyone talking.

There have been a few young trios during Smith’s time that have garnered a whole lot of attention, including one headed by the great Derrick Rose. The iconic star was joined by Tim Flowers and Bryant Orange, two other very thought of players when they entered high school.

That Class of 2007 trio of Rose, Flowers and Orange ultimately won back-to-back state championships as juniors and seniors.

A few years later the threesome of Jabari Parker, Kendrick Nunn and Kendall Pollard had people talking about the possibility of winning four straight state championships. They did just that before Parker, Nunn and Pollard signed with Duke, Illinois and Dayton, respectively.

While Parker, Nunn and Pollard were seniors, there were three young stars waiting in the wings who were all nationally ranked at the time –– sophomore D.J. Williams and freshmen Ben Coupet and Zach Norvell.

Smith admits there is a significant difference between the best young trios he’s coached in the past and this particular group, especially when you consider the ones featuring Rose and Parker.

“You have to take out those two particular trios because those are special, one-of-a-kind talents you’re talking about with Jabari and Derrick,” says Smith of his two graduates who went on to become NBA Lottery Picks. “But this group has a chance to be great if they grow as players and keep working hard.”

Bynum, Casey and Drane are among the top of their respective classes in Illinois.

Bynum is the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s No. 2 ranked prospect in the Class of 2021 and shined this past weekend at the Pangos Midwest All-American Camp. Casey and Drane are the top two prospects in the Class of 2022 in Illinois and also opened eyes at the Pangos event.

Bynum, an electric offensive talent with the ball in his hands, now has a wide open opportunity for himself this season. The 6-2 guard will have added responsibility and the expectations that come with it.

Smith had a conversation with Bynum late last season. The veteran coach tried to bring Bynum along slowly last year, but he also gave his future star a directive.

“By playing late in the year in that Young game [in the city playoffs], I told him it was an indication that it’s time for you to be ready,” says Smith of his talk with Bynum. “Right now there are days where he’s the best player in our gym.”

Casey and Drane are just freshmen, and there have been very few freshmen who have made significant impacts at Simeon. It wasn’t all that long ago when freshmen weren’t even allowed to suit up at the varsity level at Simeon. But Smith has seen enough this offseason to know they have a chance to contribute this year off the bench.

“Their maturity stands outs,” says Smith of the freshmen tandem. “When we were at the Michigan State camp this summer, they couldn’t believe A.J. and Jaylen were just going to be freshmen. Beyond their ability, they are able to go out and compete against older players. That’s what you have first be able to do at that age.”

That’s why both Casey and Drane were invited this fall to USA Basketball’s tryouts to determine the roster for the national team for the FIBA World Championships. Casey is the developing big man with a huge upside, while Drane is wiry strong and possesses an advanced game.

The young talent, though, goes beyond just Bynum, Casey and Drane. The sophomore class includes big guard Fredrick Poole, 6-5 Dylan Ingram, the younger brother of former Simeon star and Loyola player Donte Ingram, 6-4 Sincere Malone and 6-7 Phillip Holmes.

“It’s a good, talented young group,” admits Smith. “But they all still have a long way to go to get to where we think they can be.”

Want to hear all about the Sun-Times preseason Super 25 basketball rankings? Michael O’Brien and Joe Henricksen go in-depth on all 25 teams in the latest episode of No Shot Clock, the Chicago high school basketball podcast. LISTEN HERE.