Austin Colbert commits to Illinois

Dan · Nov 12, 2012, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Austin Colbert Breaks Down Illini Verbal

"Illinois has a great program. I think that Coach Groce and Coach Ford really have the best interest for me. I think they have a great plan going forward into the future."

He built a close relationship with his lead recruiter assistant Dustin Ford throughout the process.

"I like that he is really laid back and is a good coach. He is going to be my position coach. He knows what he is talking about. He is a hard worker and I know he is going to push me every day."

http://chicagohoops.hoops247.com/ind...-illini-verbal

University of the Chief · Nov 12, 2012, 02:13 PM

Great pick up by Coach Groce, his" Practice Matters" approach really can be appealing to recruits because it gives them the opportunity to at least earn early playing time through practice.

Larken24 · Nov 12, 2012, 02:13 PM

Welcome to the House of Paign Colbert!

Groundhogday · Nov 12, 2012, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botb9

Kendrick Nunn
Jaylon Tate
Malcolm Hill
Maverick Morgan
Austin Colbert

He basically picked up an entire team in the 2013 class. Seriously impressive.

This class lays the foundation. Now let's see if Groce can build on this with a few top-25 players. And a difference-making PG.

chucktownillini · Nov 12, 2012, 02:15 PM

Hey Dan, will JG have all the 2013 recruits on campus for signing their loi? Or will the staff travel various places to do this? It would be great to have all of them together at U of I to sign.

FinalFour88 · Nov 12, 2012, 02:16 PM

Very wise decision, Austin! Welcome to Champaign!

stevo99 · Nov 12, 2012, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucktownillini

Hey Dan, will JG have all the 2013 recruits on campus for signing their loi? Or will the staff travel various places to do this? It would be great to have all of them together at U of I to sign.

That never happens. They're usually faxed/scanned in on signing day.

WesterveltVictoryCigar · Nov 12, 2012, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucktownillini

Hey Dan, will JG have all the 2013 recruits on campus for signing their loi? Or will the staff travel various places to do this? It would be great to have all of them together at U of I to sign.

They sign at their HS or home. Our coaches can't be around when they sign.

IlliniTilDeath · Nov 12, 2012, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WesterveltVictoryCigar

They sign at their HS or home. Our coaches can't be around when they sign.

Right on

Dan · Nov 12, 2012, 02:23 PM

Quote:

#YESSIRRRRR #ILLINI http://instagr.am/p/R8bLMbrVQ2/

http://twitter.com/ACole_13_CTMD

mattcoldagelli · Nov 12, 2012, 02:25 PM

Not that I could ever pull it off, but I am enjoying that hat.

IlliniSpine · Nov 12, 2012, 02:26 PM

This commitment made me smile. Funny how an 18 year old's decision can make or break your week.

Truly this, after the lack of commitments recently from XRM and DJ, is excellent news. Especially since my source, "General Consensus", failed in predicting this one ("he" said Colbert to Miami initially then change it to Colbert to Nova).

After years of having the house of paign truly being a house of "pain" for us with heart-breaking losses, I feel a sense of renewed optimism...something I haven't felt since we landed the ML, JR, CH class...which didn't turn out so great. I hope we can continue this momentum with another W tonight!

RecLeagueHero · Nov 12, 2012, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TownieMatt

I can't imagine I'm the first to say this, but doesn't Colbert remind you of Mike Davis? Not that this is a bad thing. I think Davis would have been a much better player in Groce's system. Seems like a good fit for us.

Davis was a very good player here under Weber, and I think he could have been great under Groce who runs a system who fits him better. I am ecstatic to have him on board.

Good job Coach Groce and staff! Welcome Austin!!

chief78 · Nov 12, 2012, 02:27 PM

Welcome to the Illini family Austin - make the most of it!

ssgg · Nov 12, 2012, 02:27 PM

I want that hat.

illveteran1 · Nov 12, 2012, 02:28 PM

I was very impressed with his comments in the video too. This is a very driven and intelligent kid who knows what he has to do to reach his goal. I am thrilled with this get, absolutely outstanding

.

Illiniwek06 · Nov 12, 2012, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattcoldagelli

Not that I could ever pull it off, but I am enjoying that hat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssgg

I want that hat.

+1. Let me know if you guys find a link. I also want it.

KBLEE · Nov 12, 2012, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattcoldagelli

Not that I could ever pull it off, but I am enjoying that hat.

I was thinking the exact same thing...

ChitownIllini · Nov 12, 2012, 02:31 PM

Telep is teasing a story on Twitter that led people to believe Colbert switched to Illinois in the last week or so.

anonymousalcoholic · Nov 12, 2012, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illiniwek06

+1. Let me know if you guys find a link. I also want it.

don't usually wear hats, but that is a great, old school hat.

you can see the sticker on the bill in one of the photos, so it is obviously out there somewhere. how'd he get it out east?

maybe via this interwebs doo-dah?

quhawks12 · Nov 12, 2012, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucktownillini

Hey Dan, will JG have all the 2013 recruits on campus for signing their loi? Or will the staff travel various places to do this? It would be great to have all of them together at U of I to sign.

Against NCAA regulations to sign while on campus or in presence of a coach. Which is why the actual LOI is usually overnighted and then the player faxes the form in.

Serious Late · Nov 12, 2012, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IlliniTilDeath

Rivals 4*, #12 position
Scout 3*, #30 position
ESPN, 3*, #36 position

Quote:

Originally Posted by WesterveltVictoryCigar

#98 RSCI
#92 Rivals (4 star)
3 stars on Scout

Thanks for the information. I will take another RSCI top 100 recruit any day for Groce's first class. Kind of surprised by the bit of negativity around his recruitment recently (people talking about rolling over the scholly rather than use it). I don't know anything about the player, but he certainly sounds like a future contributor!

I would also like to echo the sentiments of others regarding that hat... very smooth!

Foo G · Nov 12, 2012, 02:38 PM

It's hard not to like this kid.
He seems really grounded and humble.
I imagine that will make him very easy to coach.

chucktownillini · Nov 12, 2012, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anonymousalcoholic

don't usually wear hats, but that is a great, old school hat.

you can see the sticker on the bill in one of the photos, so it is obviously out there somewhere. how'd he get it out east?

maybe via this interwebs doo-dah?

Coach Ford probly sent it to him when he notified the coaches regarding his decision.

bmb777 · Nov 12, 2012, 02:38 PM

very nice. Glad to see Illinois winning recruitment battles. Groce is starting out very well, and hoping he continues for years to come!

Nov 12, 2012, 02:25 PM	#86
mattcoldagelli Location: Evanston, IL Posts: 1,477	Not that I could ever pull it off, but I am enjoying that hat. __________________ Twitter Blog #JoeTales

Nov 12, 2012, 02:13 PM	#77
University of the Chief Posts: 13	Great pick up by Coach Groce, his" Practice Matters" approach really can be appealing to recruits because it gives them the opportunity to at least earn early playing time through practice.

Nov 12, 2012, 02:13 PM	#78
Larken24 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 347	Welcome to the House of Paign Colbert!

Nov 12, 2012, 02:15 PM	#80
chucktownillini Posts: 209	Hey Dan, will JG have all the 2013 recruits on campus for signing their loi? Or will the staff travel various places to do this? It would be great to have all of them together at U of I to sign.

Nov 12, 2012, 02:16 PM	#81
FinalFour88 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,834	Very wise decision, Austin! Welcome to Champaign!

Nov 12, 2012, 02:26 PM	#87
IlliniSpine Location: Seattle Area, WA Posts: 1,176	This commitment made me smile. Funny how an 18 year old's decision can make or break your week. Truly this, after the lack of commitments recently from XRM and DJ, is excellent news. Especially since my source, "General Consensus", failed in predicting this one ("he" said Colbert to Miami initially then change it to Colbert to Nova). After years of having the house of paign truly being a house of "pain" for us with heart-breaking losses, I feel a sense of renewed optimism...something I haven't felt since we landed the ML, JR, CH class...which didn't turn out so great. I hope we can continue this momentum with another W tonight!

Nov 12, 2012, 02:27 PM	#89
chief78 Location: Florida Posts: 177	Welcome to the Illini family Austin - make the most of it!

Nov 12, 2012, 02:27 PM	#90
ssgg Banned Posts: 21	I want that hat.

Nov 12, 2012, 02:28 PM	#91
illveteran1 Posts: 70	I was very impressed with his comments in the video too. This is a very driven and intelligent kid who knows what he has to do to reach his goal. I am thrilled with this get, absolutely outstanding .

Nov 12, 2012, 02:31 PM	#94
ChitownIllini Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 789	Telep is teasing a story on Twitter that led people to believe Colbert switched to Illinois in the last week or so.

Nov 12, 2012, 02:38 PM	#98
Foo G Nobody likes a comedian Location: Kirksville, MO Posts: 1,656	It's hard not to like this kid. He seems really grounded and humble. I imagine that will make him very easy to coach. __________________ Be the person your dog thinks you are. Be unique. Follow me on twitter @emmerich10.

Nov 12, 2012, 02:38 PM	#100
bmb777 Banned Location: Southeast IL Posts: 3,417	very nice. Glad to see Illinois winning recruitment battles. Groce is starting out very well, and hoping he continues for years to come!