By Joey Gelman

As the college basketball season comes to a close, the Chicago Public League is proud to share that two CPL alumni will be competing in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four in Houston!

Whitney Young alumus AJ Casey will be playing for the Miami Hurricanes as they take on the UConn Huskies for a spot in the National Championship. Casey starred for the Dolphins in high school both on and off the court, securing a consensus 4-star recruit ranking, a number 55 recruit in the country rating on ESPN’s recruiting rankings and by leading his team to a Chicago Public League City Championship in 2022 and an IHSA 4A State Finals appearance, scoring 19 points per game, and averaging 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Casey was a four-year high school honor roll student.

Orr Academy alumnus Cam Lawin will be playing for the San Diego State Aztecs as they take on the Florida Atlantic Owls for a spot in the National Championship. Lawin was a record-breaker at Orr, as he earned all-city and second team all-Illinois honors as a senior. Lawin set the single-season three-point program record by making 87 three-pointers in a season and had a personal record of eight three-pointers in a single game his senior season. Lawin averaged 19.1 points per game to go along with 4 assists per game.

All of the Chicago Public League community is wishing the best of luck to these alumni as they compete for the ultimate prize in college basketball!

Game Information:

Saturday, April 1, 2023 -San Diego State vs. Florida Atlantic University – 5:09pmCT – CBS

Saturday, April 1, 2023 -University of Miami vs. University of Connecticut – 7:49pmCT – CBS

** As of April 1, 2023, the San Diego State Aztecs have advanced to the Men’s Basketball National Championship, as they face the UConn Huskies. Good luck to Cam Lawin and the Aztecs as they look for their FIRST-EVER National Championship.