Illinois Hoops Summer Recruiting Thread

[touper]

I think Shaw's problem was that he lost a little confidence and was carrying around a little more weight than normal.

I think he has lost a lot of confidence. That video looks like a completely different player. That video looks reminds me how excited we all were when he committed. Groce's aggressive style and a fresh start should do wonders for MS...at least I hope.

[STLINI]

Man I think Shaw is just tailor made for that athletic 4 position that Groce uses. Decent range and athletic/strong enought to bang inside. I hope Shaw works his butt off, because I think he could really help us out as a rebounder.

[JJB]

Illinois basketball coach John Groce is looking for guards and a power forward in the class of 2013, and one name to remember is Demetrius Henry. The 6-foot-9, 210-pounder from Brandon (Fla.) Faith Baptist Christian has scholarship offers from Illinois, South Florida, Rutgers, Cincinnati, Clemson, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Memphis and Miami.

http://www.sj-r.com/sports/x14892214...s-genes?zc_p=1

Demetrius Henry, who is taking a post-graduate year and is now in the class of 2013, continues to make impressive strides in his game. A 6’9 power forward who is headed to Faith Baptist Christian (FL), Henry is comfortable with his back to the basket and has a great turnaround jumper.

http://www.nbebasketball.com/w3/2012...t-camp-report/

Demetrius Henry of Team Breakdown is a thin and mobile big man with some bounce in the lane. At about 6-feet-9, the 2013 reclass also has touch on his jumper and can play facing the rim a bit. Where he's at his best, though, is when he gets into the lane and uses his length and athleticism to disrupt things around the rim. In addition to scoring the ball, he swatted some shots and got on the glass.

http://georgiatech.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1386880

I keep forgetting about Henry. Does anyone know how much we are in play with him?

[JJB]

A Henry highlight clip.

http://sfhighschoolsports.com/video/...ght-highlights

[Calvin]

Originally Posted by JJB

A Henry highlight clip.

http://sfhighschoolsports.com/video/...ght-highlights

Man he looks good. Short clip, but his size and athleticism are there.

[217sports]

I feel like every recruit we go for either Marquette or Memphis is also involved

[RHITIllini]

Originally Posted by 217sports

I feel like every recruit we go for either Marquette or Memphis is also involved

Isaac Chew Problems

[Hugh Jorgen]

Originally Posted by combes

I didn't bash Shaw. He still has a chance to be a player. But he was 11th man last year for a reason. He wasn't ready to help. Not saying he won't be ready this year. It is up to him.

True, you didn't bash Shaw...but from my standpoint after watching him for 4 years of h.s. and during the non-conference last year, he has a pretty skilled 4 coming in as a freshman.

What I found interesting, confusing, and frustrating all at once was how he was told repeatedly by the coaching staff that all he had to do was "rebound and defend" and "don't worry about scoring", and he would be in the rotation and see minutes at the 4.

Well, he led the team in rebounds per minute played I believe...and although not an adept defender, he did play hard on the defensive end in his very limited minutes on the court.

So with that in mind, what message was sent to Shaw???
He did what he was asked to do, and didn't do what he was told to avoid.
Seems to me it would have been a very mixed message sent to an 18 yr. old, but then again, it was a coaching staff "coaching not to lose".

Either way, I'm hoping he works hard and improves greatly this year.
He has the size to be an effective 4...he has the skills. Now he needs to demonstrate a higher level of desire, effort, and confidence in college.

[illiniparkie]

Interesting ... RT @ESPNChiPowers: Illinois has offered Proviso East's Sterling Brown, according to a source.

https://twitter.com/WernerConnectFM

I can confirm what @ESPNChiPowers reported first that Proviso East SG Sterling Brown picks up an offer from Illinois

https://twitter.com/scott_chihoops

[Illiniguy34]

He has said numerous times that michigan state is his dream school. Cant blame him considering family ties. As of now they are recruiting him but have not yet offered. I would like to see sterling in orange and blue, he is a better all around player than nunn imo, but if izzo offers it will be a done deal that he will be a spartan

[lstewart53x3]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jorgen

True, you didn't bash Shaw...but from my standpoint after watching him for 4 years of h.s. and during the non-conference last year, he has a pretty skilled 4 coming in as a freshman.

What I found interesting, confusing, and frustrating all at once was how he was told repeatedly by the coaching staff that all he had to do was "rebound and defend" and "don't worry about scoring", and he would be in the rotation and see minutes at the 4.

Well, he led the team in rebounds per minute played I believe...and although not an adept defender, he did play hard on the defensive end in his very limited minutes on the court.

So with that in mind, what message was sent to Shaw???
He did what he was asked to do, and didn't do what he was told to avoid.
Seems to me it would have been a very mixed message sent to an 18 yr. old, but then again, it was a coaching staff "coaching not to lose".

Either way, I'm hoping he works hard and improves greatly this year.
He has the size to be an effective 4...he has the skills. Now he needs to demonstrate a higher level of desire, effort, and confidence in college.

That's a good point. I personally wasn't very impressed when he was out there (which wasn't for very long anyways), but when you tell a fr: "Go out and get rebounds and you'll play". Then he goes out and gets rebounds, yet still doesn't play. That has to be a big blow to confidence.

[PeoriaSteve]

Originally Posted by Illiniguy34

He has said numerous times that michigan state is his dream school. Cant blame him considering family ties. As of now they are recruiting him but have not yet offered. I would like to see sterling in orange and blue, he is a better all around player than nunn imo, but if izzo offers it will be a done deal that he will be a spartan

I would say he's better offensively, but not the defender that Nunn is. In Groce's system, Nunn might be the better fit.

[illinisc]

I wonder if the Sterling Brown offer sheds any light on Kendrick Nunn's situation.

[illiniparkie]

Keita Bates-Diop - Illinois Wolves - Hands down KDB was the best 16 in attendance. He proved that in the Championship against Paul White and the Meanstreets. It's really unfair that a kid with his size can do so much on the floor. In the championship he hit from outside, scored down low, lead the break and rebounded and blocked a few shots in his teams win. Michigan's staff was KDB shadow all week in Fort Wayne.

Tyler Ulis - Meanstreets - Despite only standing 5'8 Ulis has a huge impact on the game. He is a wizard with the ball and despite his small frame, he can get where he wants on the court. Ulis has a great mid-range game to go along with a sweet stroke. At times this little PG took over games, and was the main reason the Meanstreets made it to the finals. If has a growth spurt, watch out he could be scary.

Demetrius Jackson - MBA - Since the last time I saw Jackson play something has happened. Throughout the week Jackson proved he was not only the best player in the building, but one of the best in the nation. He hit shots from deep, created for others, put down some highlight dunks while leading his team to big wins all week. Jackson to me is a top three PG in the nation and only scratched the surface.

http://sixdeepbasketball.shutterfly.com/

This blogger also discusses Paul White (who had Illinois coaches at his games) and E.C. Mathews.

[PeoriaSteve]

Originally Posted by PeoriaIllini1

You are exactly right. Meyers Leonard is a perfect example of this. He was our most talented athletic big man as a freshman and him not playing early on along with JR hindered our success in the long run.

JR played the 5th most mins on the team...at least up to when he got suspended.

[Foo G]

It's about time!
Get this kid on board!

[Foo G]

Originally Posted by illiniparkie

This blogger also discusses Paul White (who had Illinois coaches at his games) and E.C. Mathews.

White is a tough one to figure out.
He's got the skills, but just doesn't seem like he has the aggressiveness to really stand out.

It's unfortunate that we aren't hard after Ulis.
His size seems to be the only knock against him.
He'd be a huge weapon for us, even if he was just a backup for the first 2 years.
Speed doesn't slump and you can't have too many ball handlers.
I realize the desire for this staff to get a couple of home run recruits early on, but I think we're missing out if they decide not to go after him.

[TEYPAY]

you wonder if the Brown / Nunn - first come / first serve????

[PeoriaIllini1]

Originally Posted by PeoriaSteve

JR played the 5th most mins on the team...at least up to when he got suspended.

Well i think he would have been better in the big ten season had he played more from the start. He had a better skill set and ability than other starters and i dont think Meyers should have been on the bench as much either. They were the two best NBA prospects on the team and JR was just immature and unable to handle the frustration of not playing more when he knew he was better that others. I can understand his and Meyers frustration.

I hope we can recruit another McDonald's AA and when we do i think coach Groce will play the best players not just the upperclassmen that are obviously not as athletic or talented. I think if we can get one like Alexander or Semi they will be playing from the get go. People are talking about Dem. Jackson, Nunn, Diop or others like they are superstars and really are not as highly rated as JR was as a McD AA. I am sure Groce will play them when we do get some and i think we will over the next 3-4 years.

I really want Diop i think he will continue to improve and be very very good

[justsomedude]

Originally Posted by PeoriaIllini1

Well i think he would have been better in the big ten season had he played more from the start. He had a better skill set and ability than other starters and i dont think Meyers should have been on the bench as much either. They were the two best NBA prospects on the team and JR was just immature and unable to handle the frustration of not playing more when he knew he was better that others. I can understand his and Meyers frustration.

I hope we can recruit another McDonald's AA and when we do i think coach Groce will play the best players not just the upperclassmen that are obviously not as athletic or talented. I think if we can get one like Alexander or Semi they will be playing from the get go. People are talking about Dem. Jackson, Nunn, Diop or others like they are superstars and really are not as highly rated as JR was as a McD AA. I am sure Groce will play them when we do get some and i think we will over the next 3-4 years.

I really want Diop i think he will continue to improve and be very very good

I used to feel this way, but in reality there were definitely issues beyond Basketball with JR. I wasn't there for all of them, so I can't say if he should have had playing time affected more or less based on his issues.

From a pure basketball standpoint, I agree with you.

[jhayton]

Originally Posted by PeoriaIllini1

Well i think he would have been better in the big ten season had he played more from the start. He had a better skill set and ability than other starters and i dont think Meyers should have been on the bench as much either. They were the two best NBA prospects on the team and JR was just immature and unable to handle the frustration of not playing more when he knew he was better that others. I can understand his and Meyers frustration.

I hope we can recruit another McDonald's AA and when we do i think coach Groce will play the best players not just the upperclassmen that are obviously not as athletic or talented. I think if we can get one like Alexander or Semi they will be playing from the get go. People are talking about Dem. Jackson, Nunn, Diop or others like they are superstars and really are not as highly rated as JR was as a McD AA. I am sure Groce will play them when we do get some and i think we will over the next 3-4 years.

I really want Diop i think he will continue to improve and be very very good

I think when this is all said and done KBD has the skills to be a burger boy next year. He just needs to put the time in (like he has been) and keep trucking. I think it would be a shame if we can't convince him to come here.

Originally Posted by Foo G

It's unfortunate that we aren't hard after Ulis.
His size seems to be the only knock against him.
He'd be a huge weapon for us, even if he was just a backup for the first 2 years.
Speed doesn't slump and you can't have too many ball handlers.
I realize the desire for this staff to get a couple of home run recruits early on, but I think we're missing out if they decide not to go after him.

I absolutely agree with you. Ulis has always impressed me regardless of his size. Sure the shorter someone is the tougher it is to play major college basketball, but LewJack did ok, and as far as I am concerned Ulis is a far more polished player as a HS senior then LewJack was.

[illiniparkie]

Originally Posted by Foo G

White is a tough one to figure out.
He's got the skills, but just doesn't seem like he has the aggressiveness to really stand out.

It's unfortunate that we aren't hard after Ulis.
His size seems to be the only knock against him.
He'd be a huge weapon for us, even if he was just a backup for the first 2 years.
Speed doesn't slump and you can't have too many ball handlers.
I realize the desire for this staff to get a couple of home run recruits early on, but I think we're missing out if they decide not to go after him.

I think the staff IS watching Tyler Ulis. Paul Klee and Cody Westerlund were saying they don't think he will get an offer because of his size but Paul and Cody are not on the staff (and Cody has just left for Ames, IA). From what I have read, Tyler really handles the ball well and plays hard with a good basketball IQ. I would love to watch him play for Illinois if he gets an offer.

[RHITIllini]

Originally Posted by illiniparkie

I think the staff IS watching Tyler Ulis. Paul Klee and Cody Westerlund were saying they don't think he will get an offer because of his size but Paul and Cody are not on the staff (and Cody has just left for Ames, IA). From what I have read, Tyler really handles the ball well and plays hard with a good basketball IQ. I would love to watch him play for Illinois if he gets an offer.

Staff is probably watching Ulis more closely than Larry Austin right now.

[illbasketfan]

Just wanted to know what you guys think about Rashad Vaughn out of Minn.

[IlliniSpine]

2000 !