Benet’s Ed Stasys has never garnered as much attention or recognition as he deserved.
In helping Benet compile a whopping 69 wins over the past two seasons, including a state championship in 2025 and a state runner-up finish in 2026, the stats Stasys put up have never been sufficient enough to merit the enormous attention others have received in the sport.
When your greatest accomplishments are in the game’s subtleties in seeking victories for a team, it takes a close observer to really notice. Watching Stasys, you could never place a statistical value on all that he has meant to a team’s winning.
“Ed was mature enough to understand that he was an important part of the team while understanding his role,” Benet coach Gene Heidkamp said. “He understood the sacrifice on his part was for the betterment of team success.”
But the impact was still present, even if the gaudy stats weren’t. Opposing coaches saw the influence he made in a game and were forced to game plan for him.
There is the elite defense, including the ability to guard multiple positions all over the floor while contesting shots at the rim. He makes hard cuts and sets solid screens. And at 6-8 he beats others to the ball and opponents down the floor as a rim-running big man.
“He gets out in front on the break and collapses a defense in transition, drawing the attention of a defense and creating space for our shooters,” Heidkamp pointed out. “That’s just one example of his impact and how he factors into a game without even sometimes touching the ball.”
But the toughness, hustle, physicality and spirit he plays with are the traits that really resonate. He channels his competitiveness into the greater good of the team, setting the tone and effort of the team.
Starting his 34th season as a high school basketball coach, Heidkamp says Stasys showcases one of the best motors he’s ever been around.
“He never takes a possession off in a game or in a practice,” Heidkamp said.
Stasys, who averaged a rock solid 12 points and over six rebounds a game last season, has never worried about compiling headlines or accolades for himself.
“My only focus is to keep on working hard and to keep getting better,” Stasys said of the lack of early individual recognition. “I thought eventually everything would fall into place as they should.”
Stasys quickly realized every component of basketball mattered, thanks to the mindset and mentality ingrained by Heidkamp and his father, Tomas.
“Honestly, a lot of it comes from coach Heidkamp and the Benet program,” Stasys said. “Being part of the Benet program is like an honor, especially playing for coach Heidkamp. I was pretty much just a role player at the start, but coach Heidkamp has always believed in me and has told me to do the little things.”
Then there was a dad who put it simply and kept it real with his son.
“My dad always tells me to just do whatever it takes to win and contribute in any way possible,” Stasys said. “And now I would rather win than have a performance all about me. I think winning is more important, and that’s just what I value.”
The lack of notoriety and attention? Those days are over. Stasys’ combined play this spring and summer with Benet and with the Illinois Wolves on the club basketball circuit has created a stir.
“He was an important piece of the puzzle as a sophomore, and he really emerged in his own right last season as a junior,” Heidkamp said. “This year he’s ready to be more of a focal point.”
He’s made a push to the top of the revamped Class of 2027 player rankings in Illinois while generating a ton of recruiting interest.
Blessed with great academics, Stasys is a must-get for Ivy League powers Yale and Harvard, where he says he plans to visit in September. Mid-majors are in full pursuit, high-majors are taking notice with Illinois coach Brad Underwood offering last week.
“I’ve had dreams of playing Division I basketball, and now with the offers and where recruiting is going, it’s great, everything is falling into place now,” Stasys said. “I have been working my whole life for this. I had hopes that it would play out like this. But I have to keep it going.”
Stasys is the next in line at Benet to keep the powerhouse basketball program going.
During Benet’s most recent success, the Redwings have used balance while leaning heavily on the likes of Colin Stack (North Dakota State), Jayden Wright (Eastern Illinois), Blake Fagbemi (Illinois) and Daniel Pauliukonis (Southern Illinois), who have all graduated and moved on to Division I basketball over the past two years. Now Stasys, who is a more coveted prospect than all of them, understands it’s his time to lead a team that is expected to again be one of the state’s best.
“I haven’t always had the biggest role, but I’ve been around winning players and I have seen what it takes to win and what you have to do to contribute to winning,” Stasys said. “I’ve always been a player that will do what you need me to do. But as I get older, my role and confidence keeps building and growing. I’m ready for what’s ahead.”