The theme for the 2015 St. Louis American Fab Five Boys All-Star Basketball team is versatility. All five members of the Fab Five were individual stars for their respective teams who could perform anywhere on the court. All you had to do was put the ball in their hands and watch them work.
The most versatile player of the group also happens to be the tallest in 6’9” junior Jayson Tatum of Chaminade, who is the No. 1 player in the country in the Class of 2016. He is joined by a talented group that includes seniors Donovan Franklin of O’Fallon, Marshawn Blackmon of Fort Zumwalt South, junior Xavier Sneed of Hazelwood Central and sophomore Jordan Goodwin of Althoff.
Here is a capsule look at the members of the 2015 St. Louis American Fab Five All-Star First Team.
Marshawn Blackmon (Fort Zumwalt South) – The 6’4” senior forward was a dominant force throughout the season with his athleticism and high motor. Blackmon averaged 21.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.5 steals while shooting 58 percent from the field. He led the Bulldogs to a 24-4 record and a Class 5 district championship. Blackmon is headed to Eastern Illinois University next season.
Donovan Franklin (O’Fallon) – The 6’6” senior forward was one of the top scoring threats in the St. Louis metro area throughout his stellar career. As a senior, Franklin averaged 21.1 points and 7.7 rebounds a game while shooting 56 percent from the field and 42 percent from 3-point range. He earned All-Southwestern Conference honors after leading the Panthers to a 17-11 record.
Jordan Goodwin (Althoff) – The 6’3” sophomore swingman joins the Fab Five this season after earning Freshman of the Year honors in 2015. A powerful performer with a versatile game, Goodwin averaged 20.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 56 percent from the field. Goodwin led the Crusaders to a 29-4 record and a second-place finish in the Illinois Class 3A state tournament.
Xavier Sneed (Hazelwood Central) – The 6’5” junior forward is one of the area’s premiere athletes. Sneed averaged 18.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and shot 40 percent from 3-point range in leading the Hawks to a 23-6 record and a berth in the Class 5 state quarterfinals. Sneed will return next season as one of the area’s top recruiting targets in the Class of 2016.
Jayson Tatum (Chaminade) – The St. Louis American Player of the Year, the 6’9” junior lived up to his billing as one of the nation’s top players, regardless of class. Tatum averaged 26 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 blocks per game. He also shot 54 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3-point range in leading the Red Devils to a 25-4 record and a third-place finish in the Class 5 state tournament. Tatum has received offers from nearly every major collegiate program in the country.
St. Louis American Fab Five Boys Basketball All-Star Team
First Team
Marshawn Blackmon 6’3” Fort Zumwalt South (Sr.)
Donovan Franklin 6’5” O’Fallon (Sr.)
Jordan Goodwin 6’3” Althoff (Soph)
Xavier Sneed 6’5” Hazelwood Central (Jr.)
Jayson Tatum 6’9” Chaminade (Jr.)
Second Team
Jordan Barnes 5’11” CBC (Jr.)
Jarrett Cox-Bradley 6’0” Parkway Central (Sr.)
Tyler Cook 6’8” Chaminade (Jr.)
Tarkus Ferguson 6’3” Althoff (Jr.)
Preston Whitfield 6’0”Fort Zumwalt South (Sr.)
Third Team
Aaron Cook 6’2” Westminster (Jr.)
Daniel Farris 5’10” Madison Prep (Soph.)
Brandon McKissic 6’2” SLUH (Soph.)
Darius Edwards 6’1” Alton (Sr.)
Jah-Kobe Womack 6’3” Cardinal Ritter (Sr.)
Fourth Team
Brendon Gooch 6’6” Althoff (Jr.)
Carte’Are Gordon 6’7” Vianney (Fr.)
Zeke Moore 6’5” Riverview Gardens (Sr.)
Jamourie Robinson 5’11” Cardinal Ritter (Sr.)
Jeremiah Tillmon 6’11” East St. Louis (Soph.)
Fifth Team
Chris Blocker 6’4” Maplewood (Sr.)
Demarkus Gary 6’4” Northwest (Sr.)
Kamau Kinder 6’4” Festus (Jr.)
Satchel McDonald 6’0” Maplewood (Sr.)
Christian Willis 6’2” CBC (Jr.)
Austin Achievement Awards
Player of the Year: Jayson Tatum (Chaminade)
Team of the Year: St. Charles
Freshman of the Year: Carte’Are Gordon (Vianney)
