Big East-bound Billy Garrett, Jr. capped off a stellar high school career by leading his Morgan Park Mustangs to win the 2013 Class 3A Illinois state basketball championship. It was Morgan Park’s first title since 1976.
Fans of Chicago Public League basketball appreciate Garrett's refreshing old school game, while LEADING his otherwise frenetic (and talented) team in every sense of the word. He might not be as flashy as some of the other players featured on Ballislife, but 6’4 Garrett can play. He can shoot, score, pass, and defend. He finished his high school career as Morgan Park’s career scoring leader and assists leader.
Many hoops fans don’t know that Garrett plays with a rare health condition known as sickle cell trait. In 2012, Sports Illustrated wrote about Garrett’s experience dealing with his health as well as the interesting story of his grandfather Bill Garrett who has been credited with breaking the Big Ten’s color barrier when he played for Indiana in the 1940s.
Billy Garrett, Jr. will stay in Chicago to play college ball at DePaul (Chicago, IL) where his dad is an assistant coach.
Thanks to everyone at Chicago Morgan Park High School and the IHSA. For more Morgan Park and Chicago Public League basketball highlights, watch Ballislife.com/Midwest and subscribe to our new Ballislifemidwest youtube channel!