Coaches/Staff

CEO/Founder

Jim Cook

CEO/Founder Jim Cook has provided an outstanding program for the development
of basketball players for the past nineteen years. He began his AAU program in 1992
as the Lady Wildcats. In 2001 he changed the program name to Illinois Team USA and
added additional girls teams, a boy’s basketball program, and additional sports and
events for kids. He has coached athletes as they compete in the highest level of
competition during the summer months and then assists them in earning college
scholarships. Along with coaching his AAU teams, Cook was a Dean’s Assistant in
School District U46 for 12 years. Most recently he worked at Bartlett High School.
During his tenure in U46, he had various coaching experiences including Head Boy’s
Basketball Coach at Canton Middle School and Assistant Varsity Girl’s Basketball
Coach at Larkin High School. In addition to Illinois Team USA Cook is currently the
head Women’s and Men’s Basketball Coach at Judson College in Elgin, IL. Jim is also
in charge of the IBL Elgin Racers Organization as the General Manager & Basketball
Operations Coach. Cook graduated from Eisenhower High School in Decatur, IL. He
completed his collegiate athletic eligibility with an outstanding basketball career at
both Shasta Community College in California and Carroll College in Montana. He
eventually received his bachelor’s degree in Applied Behavioral Sciences at National
Louis University in 2002 and finished up his Masters of Sports Management from Nova Southeastern University.

Personal Trainer

Freddy Bock

fbock@illinoisteamusa.com

NESTA Certified Personal Trainer - CPR Certified, American Red Cross - First Aid Certified,
American Red Cross

Freddy developed his interest in personal training and fitness as he sought to become a
stronger and faster athlete for playing college basketball. He continued to learn more about
how to effectively increase strength and overall athletic ability while inspiring and motivating
others along the way. He keeps a healthy lifestyle through exercise and nutrition and desires
to help others do the same and improve their level of fitness. Freddy’s ambition as a trainer is
to keep workouts enjoyable while motivating and educating clients so they can achieve their goals.

Coaches

Justin Boyd
12U Boys
coach@illinoisteamusa.com

NO BIO AVAILABLE

Dave Benoit

14U Boys & 16U Girls

coach@illiniosteamusa.com

Dave begins his 3rd year with Illinois Team USA and his 8th year as a basketball coach. Before coaching
Illinois Team USA, he coached the Crystal Lake Cyclones Girls Team for 3 years, the Crystal Lake Cyclones
Boys Team for 2 years, and the Crystal Lake South Gators Feeder Team for 2 years. Dave attended Iowa
State University where he was a 4 year letterman in football. He was also named a St. Viator Hall of Fame
Athlete for basketball, football and track. Dave received a bachelor's degree in Finance and is currently an Options/Futures Broker at the Chicago Board of Trade.

Pablo Castro

12U Girls
coach@illinoisteamusa.com

Pablo begins his 1st year with Illinois Team USA and his 5th year as a basketball coach. Before coaching
Illinois Team USA, he coached Girls Basketball at the City of Elgin Park District and Volleyball at St. Joseph
Catholic School. Pablo graduated from the College of Dupage's Suburban Law Enforcement Academy. He
currently works for the Carol Stream Police Department as a Tactical Officer in the Special Operations Unit.

Pam Mason
13U Girls
coach@illinoisteamusa.com

Pam Mason served as an assistant/head Coach at McHenry Community College in Crystal Lake for the past eight seasons. Mason saw the MCC teams win the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championship during all six of her years as assistant coach and was instrumental in helping lead the 2005-2006 team to a #1 national ranking in team defense. Through 2000-2006, the Lady Scots won seven consecutive conference titles. Three of Mason’s former Scot players received All-American honors under her guidance as the lead assistant coach. Mason is a 2000 Criminal Justice graduate of MCC and played basketball for MCC during the 1998 and 1999 seasons. She has built a career in law enforcement.

Jeron Shelton
14U Girls
coach@illinoisteamusa.com

Jeron begins his 8th year as a basketball coach and his 2nd year with Illinois Team USA. In the
past, Jeron coached for 3 years in the Rockford Elementary Basketball Association, 1 year for the
YMCA, and he just finished his third year with the Judson College Men's Basketball Team. Jeron
coached 3 teams to the REBA Final Four. He attended Rockford Business College & Judson College
where he earned a degree in Paralegal Studies & Elementary Education. During his studies, Jeron
received the Persistent Achievement Award at Rockford Business College. He had the most credit
hours with the highest GPA. Jeron currently is teaching and coaching.

Julie Leston
14U Girls
coach@illinoisteamusa.com

Julie Leston has been a coach for the past 10 years. She has coached all levels of both boys and girls.
She is currently a middle school mathematics teacher and coaches basketball for both the boys and girls' season. Coach Leston and her team at Elgin High School recieved the sportsmanship award from IHSA.
And last year, she has received a teacher of the year award from Sams/Walmart.

Lauren Martin

15U Girls
coach@illinoisteamusa.com

Lauren Martin graduated from Johnsburg High School in 2002. In 2006 she graduated and finished
her playing career at North Park University. Lauren has coached several basketball camps through
Johnsburg High School as well as coaching with the Little Dribblers’ program through the
Johnsburg Township. In 2004 she coached the 13U Lake County Legends team. In the fall Lauren
coached a 14U Illinois TeamUsa team. She is currently an assistant coaches at Judson University
and coaches the 15U girl’s basketball team.

Stephanie Smith
17U Girls
coach@illinoisteamusa.com

This is Stephanie's 2nd year with Illinois Team USA. She has been coaching for 4 years at
Illinois Tech and Marian Catholic High School. She attended Northern Illinois University where
she played basketball and received a degree in Sports Management. Stephanie currently works
as a coach at Marian Catholic High School and as a substitute teacher and security guard at Bloom
High School in Chicago Heights, IL.