Rivals150 junior Horton-Tucker breaking out

The Chicago (Ill.) Simeon basketball program is rich with history and success. Rivals150 junior wing Talen Horton-Tucker is hoping to continue that tradition and because of that, he's always looked up to one of the programs most successful players, current Milwaukee Buck Jabari Parker.

While Horton-Tucker dreams of one day making the NBA, it's something else that he really admires Parker for.

"I met Jabari when he was a freshman in high school and I ran with the summer team that his dad ran, Chicago Select," said Horton-Tucker. "He's a big influence. He won four state championships and it makes us hungry because we all want to be like him."

Simeon came up just short of a state title during Horton-Tucker's sophomore season -- one he began on the sophomore team. Now, he's playing a big role for a strong squad who has to be one of the favorite's in the state of Illinois.

Horton-Tucker doesn't blow you away with fancy moves or crazy athleticism, it's his overall skill that has drawn offers from Northwestern, Depaul, Missouri, Iowa State, Loyola and UIC with interest from Michigan State and others starting to pick up.

Undoubtedly, those programs and more love that more than anything else on the floor, Horton-Tucker is a leader.

"Being a leader is definitely important," said Horton-Tucker. "If i was having a bad game my teammates would support me so I have to support them and stay out there and make sure I'm trying to help make them better."

While he eyes capturing a state title so that his Simeon team can be remembered among the greats, Horton-Tucker also looks at another player from outside of the program that he's trying to learn from as he continues his hoops journey.

"I like Paul Pierce," said Horton-Tucker. "He's a superstar but there's things to his game that I feel like I have and I see other things of his that I would like to add to my all-around game."