Suburban Life boys basketball notes: Transfer Josh Abushanab providing immediate impact at Glenbard West

Junior guard Josh Abushanab was primed for a breakout season in 2024-25.

Just not in Glen Ellyn.

After two solid seasons at Glenbard North, Abushanab transferred to Glenbard West in early June. He immediately provided an offensive and defensive boost for the Hilltoppers.

The 6-foot-5 Abushanab missed the first few games, but is averaging 10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in five games for the Hilltoppers.

Glenbard West coach Jason Opoka is no stranger to high-level players with promise. Opoka said Abushanab has a high ceiling due to his next-level talent, intelligence and willingness to learn.

“Josh is an experienced junior who has brought versatility and leadership to our lineup,” Opoka said. “His length and skill set has made him a mismatch problem. He has the ability to play a variety of offensive and defensive positions, but my favorite characteristic about Josh is that he’s a great person who is willing to learn.”

Abushanab played a big role in the Panthers reaching the Class 4A supersectional last season, averaging 8.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and shooting 42 percent on 3-pointers. As a freshman, he averaged 6.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals.

Opoka said Abushanab’s two years of starting experience is another element that will aid Glenbard West.

“He’s dedicated to get to the next level and has been an impressive student,” Opoka said. “Josh is still relatively new to our program, which makes much room for growth. We’re excited to see where he will be in a couple weeks.”

Abushanab has made an instant impact on the Hilltoppers (6-0, 1-0) this season, sparking a big road win in their West Suburban Conference Silver Division opener against Hinsdale Central last Friday. He added 10 points in Saturday’s 53-47 win over Stevenson.

“I’m adjusting pretty well to the team,” Abushanab said. “I didn’t get to play the first few games, but I’m starting to fit in well with everyone and the team is gelling and we’re playing for each other. We’re really playing together as a team, which shows in these hard-core games.”

Lemont still finding its identity

Last spring, Lemont established itself as a team to watch this season with one simple yet loud announcement by one player.

When Gabe Sularski, an elite player for Benet, announced his transfer to Lemont, it made big headlines in the local basketball community.

The team without a nickname suddenly had two-way talented player with a big name.

The 6-foot-6 Sularski had offers from Tennessee, Illinois, Michigan State, Michigan, Indiana, Purdue and Missouri at the time. Lemont coach Rick Runaas welcomed the highly touted recruit into his program.

Six games into the season, Lemont (6-1) is looking good record-wise, but Runaas said the team is still trying to find its identity.

“We have a lot of interesting parts, and a lot of multi-talented guys,” he said. “I think it’s really intriguing thing as a coach, figuring how it all goes together and how to play together.”

Runaas, a self-described fan of the 80s Lakers’ “Showtime” era, said it’s been a transition process for the coaches and players.

“The best part is I don’t think we’ve played our best basketball yet,” Runaas said. “But I know we will soon. We’re playing better. I was hopeful we would be by this point because of how talented we are, but it’s been a little bit of searching period on how to figure everything out and how it fits. We’re still searching for the answers.”

The good news, for Lemont, is the depth on the roster. Lemont has won three straight games all by blowouts.

“I think we’ve had four of five different leading scorers, which is great,” Runaas said. “I would like to see all of them play well at once, but we’re not close to that yet.”

Tidbits

Fenwick’s Ty Maraciola erupted for 27 points in a double-digit win over Oak Park-River Forest at the Chicago Elite Classic last week. The Friars are one of six teams slated to compete in the MLK Day Classic on Jan, 20 at Fenwick.

Fenwick is playing Simeon in the second game. Hinsdale Central opens the three-game shootout against Notre Dame.