Coming to the '09 Shootout: Brehm Prep

Related content:

Jeremy Werner's take on Brehm Prep's stars here

Werner on James Siakam here

Werner on Brehm Prep's rise to prominence here

Werner on Siakam's first splash here

2009 SHOOTOUT AT THE HALL

Each Monday, we'll introduce a team participating in the IlliniHQ Shootout at the Hall presented by State Farm Insurance, our annual boys' basketball extravaganza which this year takes place Dec. 12 at the Assembly Hall.

Today: Brehm Prep, home to UI recruiting interests James Siakam (2011), Bruce Barron (2011) and Emmanuel Ochenje (2012).

Here's the scoop

BREHM PREP

City: Carbondale

Enrollment: 108

Nickname: Bears

Shootout appearances: First

Three things to know, courtesy Paul Klee:

1.

Powerhouse prep school team plays a schedule largely comprised of junior college opponents (Wabash Valley CC, Rend Lake JC, Lincoln Trail College). Bears players compete on the club circuit as the Illinois Titans, a talented roster that went 64-10 and won at least five tournament titles this year, coach Aaron Lee said. Brehm Prep went undefeated at the UI team shootout in June. "I think any time you can play at Assembly Hall it's an honor for our school, our program and our community," Lee said.

2.

A longtime acquaintance of Bruce Weber, the Brehm Prep coach said he has known the Illinois coach since Weber's days as a Gene Keady assistant. Lee also is close with SIU coach Chris Lowery, a former UI assistant. "When Coach (Weber) was hired at Southern, I picked his brain, worked his camps, just learned how to do things the right way," Lee said. "We formed a very, very good relationship. He's really helped me in my career and helped get me where I am today."

3.

There won't be a team at the IlliniHQ Shootout with more Division I-caliber talent than Brehm Prep. Those prospects include UI recruiting interests James Siakam (2011), Bruce Barron (2011) and Emmanuel Ochenje (2012). Former Chicago De La Salle swingman Dre Henley also has transferred to Brehm Prep, Lee said. You'll want to keep an eye on Siakam, a 6-foot-6 workhorse that has become a top target for the Illini. "He's one of the few kids that can do everything," Lee said.

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