He executed lob passes to the post and full-court passes on the dime.
He blocked shots and set picks.
He produced steals and grabbed rebounds.
And, of course, he threw down a vicious dunk, much to the delight of his teammates.
Those were some of the highlights Thursday from AJ Casey’s three-game performance — all victories — with Tinley Park at the Reavis Summer League.
Get ready Titans fans.
The AJ Casey Show is for real and promises to be filled with jaw-dropping moments, packed gyms and, most important, victories.
“It’s great to be home playing with my friends,” Casey said. “I’m having fun. I love being a Titan.”
And Titan Nation is going to love the 6-foot-8, 200-pound sophomore who transferred from Simeon this month.
I covered Casey twice last year during his freshman season at Simeon. He rarely smiled.
On Thursday, he resembled a kid in the candy store. You couldn’t wipe the smile from his face.
Why?
He’s home. And he’s given the flexibility to showcase his massive skills.
At Simeon, he was a piece of the puzzle.
At Tinley Park, he’s the focal point.
“I’m not as restricted,” Casey said. “I get to do what I want to do. But I still have to run the offense.”
Casey graduated from Arbor Park Middle School in Oak Forest.
I actually watched him play once to get a first-hand look at the hype.
He was legit.
When it was time to enroll at a high school, he moved in with his father in Chicago and enrolled at Simeon.
But this month, Casey announced he was transferring back home to Tinley Park, where his mother resides.
It sent shock waves through the high school and AAU basketball world.
“My phone froze up after I announced I was transferring,” Casey said. “People were saying all these things and all I could do was sit there and look at my phone. It was crazy.”
You want to know why it was so crazy?
Casey ranks among the best players in the country in the 2022 class. ESPN has him ranked 15th in the nation.
He’s a mega talent with the wingspan of a 747.
Though he prefers to play forward, he can excel anywhere on the court.
I asked AJ’s father, Andre Casey,what instigated the transfer?
“He wanted to be with his friends and have fun,” Andre Casey said. “He needed a new environment than Simeon. So he moved back with his mom.”
The only person smiling more than AJ on Thursday was Tinley Park coach D.J. Brown.
The Titans hit the jackpot.
“It’s all a matter of gelling and seeing who fits where,” Brown said. “He’s also trying to figure out his teammates. He takes us to a whole new level.”
Sophomore Malachi Haythorne, who hit the game-winning shot Thursday against Argo, is excited about what the future holds for Tinley Park.
“I had seen incredible videos of AJ,” Haythorne said. “But playing with him out there you see that the videos don’t lie. It’s like getting LeBron.”
I’m not going to put that kind of pressure on Casey, who wears No. 23 like the Lakers star. LeBron James is his favorite player.
I urge Tinley Park fans to buckle up and enjoy this ride. Particularly Jan. 31, 2020. That’s when the Titans travel to Oak Forest and face another super sophomore, 6-8 Robbie Avila.
Casey and Avila were teammates at Arbor Park. They were an unbeatable combo and remain friends.
Casey had some advice for his former Arbor Park teammate months before their showdown.
“Be ready to play,” Casey said with a big grin. “It’s going to be fun.”
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