Illinois Hoops Summer Recruiting Thread

[illinisc]

Originally Posted by DaytonIllini

What he is saying is that the idea that Jabari did us a favor is ridiculous. He didn't save Illinois any time so they can recruit other people instead of watching his team play. We will be wathing the Fire and Simeon regardless of whether or not Jabari Parker is an Illinois target. Thus, no time saved for our staff.

Yea that goes without question. The staff will continue to watch Fire games because we're recruiting Sterling Brown and Kyle Davis. That being said, will they follow every Fire game like they would've if we we're still in Jabari Parker. Probably not. Remember July is for evaluating only. Coaches cannot have any meaningful in person contact with recruits during this time so there's no real recruiting besides being seen. The real benefit comes in August, September and October. That's when coaches can really recruit on campus then eventually off campus. If you're still in with Jabari Parker during that time you're probably reserving a scholarship for him. That would be difficult to manage because its also the time when most other recruits start committing.

[Dan]

Demetrius Jackson always a good interview. Said Kansas and Louisville two schools showing more interest heading into July.

http://twitter.com/KyleNeddenriep

[DaytonIllini]

Originally Posted by cjcastan

Maybe not in terms of time watching games, but what about time spent

- texting
- phoning
- in house visits
- drafting emails

that 20mins / 3-4 hours adds up. If JG can meet a Ennis at his home at a time convenient for him on a day convenient for him, as opposed to shoe horning Ennis or Jackson around Jabari's schedule, might just be the thing that turns the tide.

none of us know for sure what will play a role in landing a kid but having more time on other kids I think is a better than worse thing.

if it sounds like sour grapes so be it. i never thought we were a real contender for JP as it was.

I was just explaining what I thought he was saying.

Personally, I am disappointed that he didn't choose Illinois but I don't see any difference between deciding today and deciding in 3 months in terms of prestige loss for Illinois. I prefer not to be jerked around so for that I am thankful.

[Dan]

Jabari Parker's father talks about why DePaul and why not Illinois

Parker's father, Sonny Parker, said Illinois' coaching change after last season, when Bruce Weber was fired and replaced by John Groce, played a role in the Illini being excluded from the list.

"It's the timing," Sonny said Thursday. "He's been to Illinois since fifth, sixth grade, going down to the camps. He had relationships with Weber and (former assistant) Jerrance (Howard). He went down to Midnight Madness. He had a really good experience with the coaching staff there. He liked the school. He really liked the school.

"I guess at this stage it's the relationship part. Coach Groce, I've been talking to him, my wife has been talking to coach Groce. He seemed nice. (Jabari) had to have a relationship with him, too. It had nothing to do with the school per se. He has to feel comfortable with who's there and who's going to be the coach. I don't think he had a chance to (know Groce) because of scheduling and timing. It's hard for coaches to call Jabari because we don't allow coaches to call or text him. It was nothing personal (with Groce.) He likes the school. His dream is to play for his state school and win a national championship like all kids, but I think the timing, where they were and where we're at."

Scott Powers

[Monte Carlo]

I hope that we can land some elite Chicago area players in the future with Groce, but am not sure it will happen. It has been said we won't get the elite until we have really good solid teams. Well, the entire first half of the last decade was one of the best, if not the best, in U of I hoops history and yet we were unable to cash in on any of the players then like Julian Wright, Sherron Collins, Derrick Rose, etc. All that may be able to be blamed on Weber, and I certainly hope that is the case, but until Groce can show he can land those players, I will be somewhat skeptical. I think there is more to it, maybe even a touch of the Chicago arrogance that says "Illinois is lucky to have Chicago in it" as opposed to Chicago is a part of Illinois. I don't think there is a lot of loyalty either way.

[illinisc]

So basically Sonny Parker wanted his son to have a relationship with the Coaches on his list but didn't allow Groce to talk to Jabari. Wonderful.

EDIT: I've always had the feeling that Sonny Parker was never high on Jabari's interest in Illinois.

[IlliniRunIn07]

Originally Posted by Monte Carlo

I hope that we can land some elite Chicago area players in the future with Groce, but am not sure it will happen. It has been said we won't get the elite until we have really good solid teams. Well, the entire first half of the last decade was one of the best, if not the best, in U of I hoops history and yet we were unable to cash in on any of the players then like Julian Wright, Sherron Collins, Derrick Rose, etc. All that may be able to be blamed on Weber, and I certainly hope that is the case, but until Groce can show he can land those players, I will be somewhat skeptical. I think there is more to it, maybe even a touch of the Chicago arrogance that says "Illinois is lucky to have Chicago in it" as opposed to Chicago is a part of Illinois. I don't think there is a lot of loyalty either way.

From an NCAA violations standpoint, I doubt we wanted any of those 3. Was JW the one who comitted to Kansas without ever stepping foot on campus?

[cjcastan]

Originally Posted by illinisc

So basically Sonny Parker wanted his son to have a relationship with the Coaches on his list but didn't allow Groce to talk to Jabari. Wonderful.

EDIT: I've always had the feeling that Sonny Parker was never high on Jabari's interest in Illinois.

When BW was fired and Sonny made those comments at the time, a lot of us were expecting that would be their excuse to dismiss illinois gracefully.

I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't some relief over not having to tell Bruce & Illini Nation "No thanks".

I'd rather have the next 5 years contracted with JG sans Parker, than watch this team under BW in 2012-2013 with the faint hope of Parker on the horizon.

[MTILLINOIS]

Originally Posted by Lab Rat

Thanks MTILLINOIS, I'm back from the edge. Three hours of yard work in 90 degree heat will sweat it out you. I read the link to the Chicago paper article stating that Jabari is doing us a favor by dropping us this, the guy is right. I know this, but elite Chicago recruits hold us hostage every time. They tell the joke, we laugh, until the joke is on us !

The bad part of this, I'm use to it and it doesn't even hurt anymore.

[illinisc]

Originally Posted by cjcastan

When BW was fired and Sonny made those comments at the time, a lot of us we're expecting that would be their excuse to dismiss illinois gracefully.

I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't some relief over not having to tell Bruce & Illini Nation "No thanks".

I'd rather have the next 5 years contracted with JG sans Parker, than watch this team under BW in 2012-2013 with the faint hope of Parker on the horizon.

The disappointing part is that they made no effort to get to know Coach Groce and the staff. If Illinois was really Jabari's dream school, why wouldn't they allow the coaches to talk to Jabari at least once. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Oh well, its water under the bridge. Time to move on.

[IlliniByProxy]

Originally Posted by illinisc

So basically Sonny Parker wanted his son to have a relationship with the Coaches on his list but didn't allow Groce to talk to Jabari. Wonderful.

EDIT: I've always had the feeling that Sonny Parker was never high on Jabari's interest in Illinois.

+1 I read it the same way.

[justsomedude]

Even though I don't think the Parkers are heavily influenced by the Irvin's, I feel like the decision by Groce to hire Parham over Coleman (a correct decision in my opinion) after the decision by AD MT to not give Theus strong consideration is going to pretty much leave us out on all Fire kids for the next couple year. Thankfully, most the players we want are on Wolves, Meanstreets and DRose.

[UIUC2008]

Originally Posted by cjcastan

When BW was fired and Sonny made those comments at the time, a lot of us we're expecting that would be their excuse to dismiss illinois gracefully.

I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't some relief over not having to tell Bruce & Illini Nation "No thanks".

I'd rather have the next 5 years contracted with JG sans Parker, than watch this team under BW in 2012-2013 with the faint hope of Parker on the horizon.

Definitely agree. It gave the Parker's an easy out. They took it. If they put us in the final 3 the resentment and hostility would have been 10 fold. People are already over it. Everyone can move on. I feel like Sturdy is trying to keep our spirits up with all the good news. It's definitely helping me.

Let's start shooting for the stars again. I'm thinking Jackson, Nunn, Hill, Morgan will put us close to the Top 5 classes.

[BrooksTaylorFan]

Originally Posted by illinisc

So basically Sonny Parker wanted his son to have a relationship with the Coaches on his list but didn't allow Groce to talk to Jabari. Wonderful.

EDIT: I've always had the feeling that Sonny Parker was never high on Jabari's interest in Illinois.

+100000000000000 And we will all vomit when he ends up at Kentucky.

[Groundhogday]

Originally Posted by cjcastan

When BW was fired and Sonny made those comments at the time, a lot of us were expecting that would be their excuse to dismiss illinois gracefully.

I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't some relief over not having to tell Bruce & Illini Nation "No thanks".

I've wondered the same thing. It was pretty clear that Parker wasn't coming to Illinois before Weber was fired. The sudden outpouring of love for Weber and Illinois felt a bit disingenuous.

[TCTORNADO]

Originally Posted by Monte Carlo

I hope that we can land some elite Chicago area players in the future with Groce, but am not sure it will happen. It has been said we won't get the elite until we have really good solid teams. Well, the entire first half of the last decade was one of the best, if not the best, in U of I hoops history and yet we were unable to cash in on any of the players then like Julian Wright, Sherron Collins, Derrick Rose, etc. All that may be able to be blamed on Weber, and I certainly hope that is the case, but until Groce can show he can land those players, I will be somewhat skeptical. I think there is more to it, maybe even a touch of the Chicago arrogance that says "Illinois is lucky to have Chicago in it" as opposed to Chicago is a part of Illinois. I don't think there is a lot of loyalty either way.

You can pick 3 better one's than that. JW as stated will always be known as never having visited KU, Sherron Collins will always be known as having silently verballed twice to UI and then backing out w/the infamous Anthony Longstreet "show me the canceled check" and finally Derrick (SAT) Rose. All 3 well documented cases.

[MTILLINOIS]

Originally Posted by illinisc

So basically Sonny Parker wanted his son to have a relationship with the Coaches on his list but didn't allow Groce to talk to Jabari. Wonderful.

EDIT: I've always had the feeling that Sonny Parker was never high on Jabari's interest in Illinois.

I don't read it that. The Parkers from day 1 have been at the forefront of Jabari's recruitment. You had to work through the parents to get to Jabari, as it should be. The Parkers are one of the classiest families out there when basketball is involved. Their number 1 priority is to protect their child from the ugly scene of college basketball.

It was clear as day that this was going to happen. If and when Weber was let go, Illinois had no chance to establish a relation this late in the game.

[illinisc]

Originally Posted by MTILLINOIS

I don't read it that. The Parkers from day 1 have been at the forefront of Jabari's recruitment. You had to work through the parents to get to Jabari, as it should be. The Parkers are one of the classiest families out there when basketball is involved. Their number 1 priority is to protect their child from the ugly scene of college basketball.

It was clear as day that this was going to happen. If and when Weber was let go, Illinois had no chance to establish a relation this late in the game.

I understand the need to protect their child. I can also understand why they wanted all calls to be routed through them. BUT, Jabari has stated multiple times that Illinois was his dream school growing up. Considering the special circumstances surrounding Weber being fired and Groce being hired, why wouldn't they allow Groce to speak with Jabari just once.

[MTILLINOIS]

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

I've wondered the same thing. It was pretty clear that Parker wasn't coming to Illinois before Weber was fired. The sudden outpouring of love for Weber and Illinois felt a bit disingenuous.

And with the way Weber's team have performed, you can't blame them. They wanted to play for a winner and the program keeps sinking lower and lower. With the way this past season went, we were crossed off the list a long time ago.

[TCTORNADO]

Originally Posted by BrooksTaylorFan

+100000000000000 And we will all vomit when he ends up at Kentucky.

No, then my keyboard will smell like Kam's.

[MTILLINOIS]

Originally Posted by illinisc

I understand the need to protect their child. I can also understand why they wanted all calls to be routed through them. BUT, Jabari has stated multiple times that Illinois was his dream school growing up. Considering the special circumstances surrounding Weber being fired and Groce being hired, why wouldn't they allow Groce to speak with Jabari just once.

What good would that do? He wasn't coming here. Once Weber was let go, so was our only shot of a commitment.

[Illinoy]

As someone who was recruited for two sports in college, I kinda call b s to Sonny Parker's statements. Don't say it was a kid's dream school if it wasnt. Most of the coaches that wanted me most didnt talk to me until the middle of the season of my junior year (i.e. around the time Groce was hired).

If you are giving that much weight to someone having a relationship with a 5th and 6th grader, then you might want reevaluate your inner circle because unless its due to some sort of close proximity or your paths constantly crossing, it is sick for an adult to try to garner a relationship that early with a kid only because the kid has a talent that will be beneficial to the adult.

[TooHot4Tots]

He must have had a great relationship with Coach Weber and Coach Howard, since KSU and SMU didnt make that awesome list.

[orange julius]

Originally Posted by MTILLINOIS

I don't read it that. The Parkers from day 1 have been at the forefront of Jabari's recruitment. You had to work through the parents to get to Jabari, as it should be. The Parkers are one of the classiest families out there when basketball is involved. Their number 1 priority is to protect their child from the ugly scene of college basketball.

It was clear as day that this was going to happen. If and when Weber was let go, Illinois had no chance to establish a relation this late in the game.

We weren't going to sniff him with Weber, either. Let's be real. Weber is the reason we don't have a chance at a recruit of this caliber. Parker was 10 when we went to the final four with Self's players- and at best we have been mediocre since then, with one big el stinko year in 2011. That's 6-7 years of fairly lousy Illinois basketball that this kid has observed...of course he and his folks don't have a good impression of our program. it would be a huge risk for him to attend Illinois with what we currently have on the roster- a risk with a very large reward - but I'm sure he and his family want a sure chance to play for a championship. I expect him to end up at Duke or Kentucky. Just hoping it is not Michigan State.

[illinisc]

Originally Posted by MTILLINOIS

What good would that do? He wasn't coming here. Once Weber was let go, so was our only shot of a commitment.

I don't think it would've helped with Jabari Parker either. I just don't think you can posture like you gave all schools a fair shot when you didn't allow Coach Groce to speak with their son. Seems strange to me considering the circumstances.