Illinois Hoops Spring/Summer Recruiting Thread

[sdfidaho]

Originally Posted by orange julius

This would be a bad rule for Illinois, and would all but ensure that the Kentuckys of the world dominate the NCAA year in and year out. The best rule for Illinois would be if they went back to allowing high school players to go pro right out of high school.

Well, it would be better than the current one and done rule for Illinois.
Calapari wouldn't be able to recruit a new starting 5 every year like he is currently able to do.

[Foo G]

I'd prefer to see the NBA change the rule to something similar to what baseball has. Let the HS kids go straight to the pros if they're good enough (or stupid enough). The players that go to college would then have to stay a minimum of 2 years.

[illiniparkie]

RT @NationOfOrange Tyler Ennis just told us he's received offers from UCLA, Illinois, and LSU in recent weeks.

https://twitter.com/#!/GoinBASELINE

http://rivals.yahoo.com/illinois/bas...dVv5952ucwsJB4

[illini73]

Originally Posted by Dan

Charles Matthews, 2015 G, with an Illinois offer

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketb...atthews-132786

and his game/skills grow he is going to be a top 10 (maybe better) player in the nation.

[Larken24]

Tyler Ennis would have been someone that I couldn't see Weber trying to go after, so nice going Groce for exploring other good recruits out there other than the ones from Illinois.

[TCTORNADO]

Originally Posted by illiniparkie

http://rivals.yahoo.com/illinois/bas...dVv5952ucwsJB4

Now that's an impressive offer list for Tyler Ennis. One might say it has Ennis envy.

[illinisc]

Originally Posted by illiniparkie

http://rivals.yahoo.com/illinois/bas...dVv5952ucwsJB4

He's also AAU teammates and close friends with XRM and Andrew Wiggins.

[james81]

Originally Posted by TCTORNADO

Now that's an impressive offer list for Tyler Ennis. One might say it has Ennis envy.

An impressive list of offers but we're the only BIG

[saltygrapes]

Originally Posted by illini73

and his game/skills grow he is going to be a top 10 (maybe better) player in the nation.

He'll likely continue to grow, possibly to around 6'6, from what I've heard. At that height, with his skillset, he's a top-5 player nationally... and he probably still is even at 6'4. But you don't see many 6'6 combo guards with the skillset this kid has.

Take Harrison Barnes for example, he was the #1 or #2 player in 2010 from most services, but Barnes was a pure scorer who couldn't play the 1 and was really relegated to being a shooter once he got to college because he lacked quickness and didn't really have an attacking mentality. But beyond that he didn't really make other players better. Matthews has high level athleticism, an elite handle, and an elite shooting stroke, and he plays the point guard position in high school and has the ability to distribute.

He's just a really versatile prospect who will likely be able to play positions 1-3 at an elite level by the time he's a senior. And versatility is becoming more and more important in basketball. He's going to be very, very, good. And he is someone Illinois will have a very good chance at landing if they can right the ship over the next three seasons.

[mdonsbach]

Originally Posted by saltygrapes

He'll likely continue to grow, possibly to around 6'6, from what I've heard. At that height, with his skillset, he's a top-5 player nationally... and he probably still is even at 6'4. But you don't see many 6'6 combo guards with the skillset this kid has.

Take Harrison Barnes for example, he was the #1 or #2 player in 2010 from most services, but Barnes was a pure scorer who couldn't play the 1 and was really relegated to being a shooter once he got to college because he lacked quickness and didn't really have an attacking mentality. But beyond that he didn't really make other players better. Matthews has high level athleticism, an elite handle, and an elite shooting stroke, and he plays the point guard position in high school and has the ability to distribute.

He's just a really versatile prospect who will likely be able to play positions 1-3 at an elite level by the time he's a senior. And versatility is becoming more and more important in basketball. He's going to be very, very, good. And he is someone Illinois will have a very good chance at landing if they can right the ship over the next three seasons.

I get your bottom line...winning solves alot.

[cjcastan]

Sounds promising on the Charles Matthews front

“You always want to have an in-state school on your list,” Matthews said of the two offers. “My doors are going to be open to both of those schools in the long run.”

[saltygrapes]

Originally Posted by mdonsbach

I get your bottom line...winning solves alot.

That it does.

Matthews likes Illinois and, like Parker, will likely have us high on his list his entire recruitment. Have heard two reliable people say that. But his recruitment has a long way to go.

Ash likes Illinois too. Nixon likely gets an offer as soon as he grows a bit more. DJ Williams as well.

The point is, there's lots of talent, and none of these guys look to have that Cliff Alexander feeling where you know you're way behind from day 1... Illinois just has to win and re-establish legitimacy. We have a great staff who will deploy an exciting style of play... the missing component is legitimacy.

[Kramer116]

http://twitter.com/#!/JayhawkTalk

Semi Ojeleye trimmed his list to 11 schools. KU and KSU are included. Many reporting that KU has offered. Not true to my knowledge. #kubball

http://twitter.com/#!/PremierBall

2013 6'6 Wing Semi Ojeleye interest list: Duke, Arizona, Stanford, UCLA, Indiana, Wisconsin, Kansas, K State, Oregon, Illinois & Missouri.

http://twitter.com/#!/maximedesplan

Semi Ojeleye has trimmed his list to Kansas, K-State, Arizona, Duke, Missouri, Stanford, Indiana, Wisconsin, Oregon, Illinois and UCLA.

[Kramer116]

http://twitter.com/#!/PremierBall

llinois, USC, Oregon St, Kansas, UNC, Mizzou, UCLA, UCI, TX, BYU, FSU, UNLV & AZ have all shown interest in 2015 6'4 PG Tyler Dorsey (CA)

Follow 2015 6'4 PG Tyler Dorsey. AAU: Belmont Shores (CA) @baller2310 #2015recruiting

#stanford also expressing interest in top 10 national prospect 2015 6'4 PG Tyler Dorsey. Follow his life --> @baller2310

[Kramer116]

http://www.nbebasketball.com/w3/2012...ks-recruiting/

Nunn said that he holds scholarship offers from Texas A&M, Texas, Nebraska, Iowa State, Memphis, UCLA, Illinois, DePaul, Missouri, and others. In addition, he is garnering interest from Kansas.

“I want to have a great relationship with the coach,” Nunn said. “[I want to] know that when I get there he will take care of me and make sure I do everything I have to do . . . Style of play, fast paced. Good academics [and a] school that will get me to the next level.”

Nunn, who lists shooting as one of the strongest parts of his game, mentioned that ball handling is his weakest aspect on the court. In addition, the Chicagoan noted that he compares his game to that of James Harden and Brandon Jennings.

[carmelillini]

Originally Posted by Larken24

Tyler Ennis would have been someone that I couldn't see Weber trying to go after, so nice going Groce for exploring other good recruits out there other than the ones from Illinois.

[JIllini79]

Originally Posted by Kramer116

http://www.nbebasketball.com/w3/2012...ks-recruiting/

In terms of coaches, who seems to have the best relationship with Nunn? We know that Groce has built one with him over time since his visit to Chicago so that is quite promising.

[ILLINIShox24]

Regarding the one-and-done rule, there was a good article in the latest espn mag with a suggestion for the NBA to follow the NHL rule. Any player in the world can be drafted by 18, but they don't lose any options.

They can go to college, play minors, play overseas, whatever. I think it would reduce a ton of pressure on recruiting from the player's perspective.

[saltygrapes]

Originally Posted by JIllini79

In terms of coaches, who seems to have the best relationship with Nunn? We know that Groce has built one with him over time since his visit to Chicago so that is quite promising.

That's really hard to determine, but our staff would definitely be very close to the top. The important thing is that Illinois really does fit his criteria very well. Ultimately he will make the best decision for him, but Illinois has as good of a chance as anyone at him.

[saltygrapes]

Originally Posted by Kramer116

http://twitter.com/#!/PremierBall

Honestly I doubt the interest in Dorsey means much right now... he's a can't-miss talent and so you obviously do what you can, and hope that if you turn things around the next year or two it catches his attention, but if he doesn't reciprocate the interest then it's not a big deal. Tons of in-state guards in that class. Illinois would be hard pressed not to get one of them.

[illini73]

Originally Posted by saltygrapes

He'll likely continue to grow, possibly to around 6'6, from what I've heard. At that height, with his skillset, he's a top-5 player nationally... and he probably still is even at 6'4. But you don't see many 6'6 combo guards with the skillset this kid has.

Take Harrison Barnes for example, he was the #1 or #2 player in 2010 from most services, but Barnes was a pure scorer who couldn't play the 1 and was really relegated to being a shooter once he got to college because he lacked quickness and didn't really have an attacking mentality. But beyond that he didn't really make other players better. Matthews has high level athleticism, an elite handle, and an elite shooting stroke, and he plays the point guard position in high school and has the ability to distribute.

He's just a really versatile prospect who will likely be able to play positions 1-3 at an elite level by the time he's a senior. And versatility is becoming more and more important in basketball. He's going to be very, very, good. And he is someone Illinois will have a very good chance at landing if they can right the ship over the next three seasons.

continue to grow as will his game and it could put him into top 10 consideration or better. Let's not forget Mcbride though. Rated probably top 15 in nation at young age and then he hit his ceiling and dropped. It can happen, but Matthews has more skills and athleticism then Mcbride did at the same age. I also understand that he really likes the UofI. Good news for us! Now start getting some wins and attract these players to play for the UofI!

[combes]

McBride's problems were more physical than hitting the ceiling. imo He was very athletic as a young player, but his foot and leg problems really derailed that athleticism. He was a running, dunking machine even in junior high. But he lost that with the injuries. He did a nice job at Illinois considering that he walked like an old man.

[BrooksTaylorFan]

Originally Posted by combes

McBride's problems were more physical than hitting the ceiling. imo He was very athletic as a young player, but his foot and leg problems really derailed that athleticism. He was a running, dunking machine even in junior high. But he lost that with the injuries. He did a nice job at Illinois considering that he walked like an old man.

Very true. McBride was a future NBA player until his leg injury slowed him down and turned him into a one dimensional shooter.

[pizzaman]

Originally Posted by ILLINIShox24

Regarding the one-and-done rule, there was a good article in the latest espn mag with a suggestion for the NBA to follow the NHL rule. Any player in the world can be drafted by 18, but they don't lose any options.

They can go to college, play minors, play overseas, whatever. I think it would reduce a ton of pressure on recruiting from the player's perspective.

I think the simple solution for the one and done rule that would level the playing field in college would be to make any scholarship given used up for 3 years. In other words, a one and done player burns a minimum of 3 years of scholarships whether they stay or not. An unused scholarship (the two years left after the one and done leaves) would automatically be given to a non-athlete for academic excellence. Everyone (except Calapari) wins!

[JIllini79]

Originally Posted by saltygrapes

That's really hard to determine, but our staff would definitely be very close to the top. The important thing is that Illinois really does fit his criteria very well. Ultimately he will make the best decision for him, but Illinois has as good of a chance as anyone at him.

I figured it would be. I really feel like we our the front runner for him right now just because of how he talks about hit recruiting.