It didn’t take very long for Waubonsie Valley coach Andrew Schweitzer to find a comparative player when talking about sophomore forward Kris Mporokoso.
Illinois State recruit Tyreek Coleman, a senior guard/forward, is a returning all-state selection who faced the same situations as a sophomore that Mropokoso is undergoing right now.
“The best thing that ever happened to him was being up on varsity as a sophomore,” Schweitzer said of Coleman. “Kris still has his moments as a sophomore, but he’s going to learn quickly.”
Mporokoso enjoyed a quick start Tuesday night in the season opener, going 2-for-3 from 3-point range and contributing three rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Warriors during an 84-29 victory over Streamwood in a Ken Peddy Windmill Classic game at Batavia.
While Mporokos showed flashes of the talent that helped him break into the starting lineup of a team with aspirations of winning a state championship, Cade Valek led Waubonsie (1-0) with 13 points. Coleman and Tate Bartzen contributed 11 points apiece and Donovan Neal added 10.
Byron Walton led Streamwood (0-2) with 12 points.
Mporokoso agreed that being with this veteran group will only help in his development. And in particular, he looks up to Coleman.
“He’s a great role model for me, showing what I could be,” Mporokoso said. “He helps me get better.”
In the short term, Schweitzer pointed out Mporokoso provides something that was considered a slight weakness in the program’s breakout season last winter.
“He spaces the floor,” Schweitzer said. “He’s a guy that can shoot it from deep, hit open jumpers.
“We have guys that can create. We didn’t have as many guys that could knock down outside shots, so teams would start packing it in on us last year. He allows us to spread it out.”
The 6-foot-3 Mporokoso knows he has more in his arsenal than just outside shooting, but he’s content with starting off his varsity career in that role.
“We have a lot of talent,” Mporokoso said. “We all have our roles. We all know what to do. Right now, I can shoot, but later, things can change.”
Another comparison to Coleman as a sophomore comes to mind for Schweitzer.
“The way I look at it is like when Tyreek was a sophomore on varsity,” Schweitzer said. “We didn’t have a ton of plays that were run for him, but he was still able to get his.
“Kris is going to get his this year off a lot of creating. I think as the year goes on we’ll probably have some sets for him. Then after this year, it’s his and our freshman, Kyler Payne’s, team.”
One thing the rangy Mporokoso adds to the team is already one of Waubonsie’s strengths.
His defensive background in football helps him fit in with a press defense that gives teams fits and leads to easy baskets for Waubonsie.
The Warriors forced 16 turnovers in the first quarter Tuesday as they roared to a 21-0 lead.
“They cause a lot of havoc,” Streamwood coach Quentin Ruff said. “Coach does an awesome job with that 1-2-2 press. Those kids fly around like college players.
“I told the boys in film (Tuesday), this is what you need to expect. These boys will not let up on us, and I don’t want them to because you all need to understand how to handle pressure.”
Mporokoso has another source of inspiration, and it comes from his own home. His sister, Danyella, has emerged as one of the top players in the state.
“We work out together,” Mporokoso said. “She has a really good shot. I would say it’s better than mine. It just motivates me to keep shooting, get better and be more consistent.”
Kris has seen Danyella establish herself. Now, it’s his turn.
“It’s amazing,” Mporokoso said. “We’re both doing our thing, doing what we dreamed of. She got to where she wanted, and now, I have to get mine.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
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