Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (May-June 2018)

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#1,726      

FiveStar

F
FiveStar
Joseph Kerr said:
Zdor. Seems to shoot the ball solidly and from deep and basically looks like a Finke replacement. Couldn't find a highlight that gives me confidence in his use of his left hand or going left. Rebounds well based on activity as he does crash the boards and has nice touch on offensive rebounds. Defense is up in the air as I couldn't find much on his defense, mostly zone defense played there and nothing makes me shudder more than watch high school kids play zone. I couldn't shake the Finke comparison while watching him, although if you add some more muscle to him, and we do that well at least, he isn't afraid to mix it up underneath which could be a +1 one on Finke. He isn't a 5 imo as he doesn't seem to have a "presence" underneath. You know the Rodman, Green, Barkley type of "that ball is mine".
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have you seen most high schoolers play man?
 
#1,727      

Joseph Kerr

Joseph Kerr
Fort Wayne, IN
Joseph Kerr
FiveStar said:
have you seen most high schoolers play man?
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Oddly enough, man to man was played a lot when I was in school, mixing in zone. Zone was played when the other team was too quick, or too big. Understand this comes from a 5'11" guy who played defense on people from 5'5" to 6'7" (low center of gravity and 240 pounds on a guy of size really frustrates them when they can't back you down). My point was not that I don't see it, but that it does not give a good indication of defensive ability to watch highlights from. Defense is team oriented at that point and you can look bad when others screw up, the same as when you set the screen and your guy goes the wrong direction.
 
#1,732      

Illiniguy13

Illiniguy13
Illiniguy13
PtownIllini8 said:
...but it helps to be 7 foot with a long reach, like Haarms from Purdue was last year. Samba has that length, but Giorgi doesn't have that luxury, so he has to put some beef on ASAP.
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Giorgi has a 7’2” wingspan. You’re not going to see many more Underwood recruits who lack length.
 
#1,737      

illini80

illini80
Forgottonia
illini80
I assume they were confident in landing the other guys. Which was a major mistake imo.
 
#1,739      

illini80

illini80
Forgottonia
illini80
I know very little about Kai Jones possibly reclassifying. Are there grade/credit issues? He sounds like a really good option if it's even possible. Anyone heard a timetable for him to make a decision? Having an official to use on him would be reeaally nice.

Edit: Negative on the grade issues. Looks to be a really smart kid. Louisville also recently offered if not already reported.
 
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#1,740      

Goldtop

G
Goldtop
illini80 said:
I assume they were confident in landing the other guys. Which was a major mistake imo.
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Hindsight. They probably were confident in landing one of the other options they liked better than Trice, but it didn't work out that way. A big miss, yes, but labeling it a mistake is a bit strong and to hindsight is 20/20. They have shown to be decisive with recruits, like not waiting on Ramey.
 
#1,741      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
illini80 said:
I know very little about Kai Jones possibly reclassifying. Are there grade/credit issues? He sounds like a really good option if it's even possible. Anyone heard a timetable for him to make a decision? Having an official to use on him would be reeaally nice.

Edit: Negative on the grade issues. Looks to be a really smart kid. Louisville also recently offered if not already reported.
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Have no idea if Jones reclassifying is feasible or his interest level in Illinois. But if we were to land him, that would be an unreal flip the script moment.

As with Okoro, Jones shouldn't want to play another year of HS ball. I'm sure he'll have numerous suitors, but he'll be hard pressed to find a more wide open spot for serious playing time.
 
#1,742      

PumpFake

P
PumpFake
I feel like it's better for the long term to have the young guys picking up minutes instead of bringing in Trice. Calloo and Pearson would've been decent additions on paper, but part of trusting a coach to bring in his players is accepting that some seemingly desirable recruits might not be a good fit. Obviously we have the spots now, but that could all change in an instant with potential 5th years and whatever else we've got up our sleeves. And even if not, I'd still much rather have Giorgi than any of the other guys we've been connected to. He'll turn out to be the unheralded but competent big man that we've been searching for.
 
#1,743      

sacraig

sacraig
The desert
sacraig
illini80 said:
I assume they were confident in landing the other guys. Which was a major mistake imo.
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#1,746      

Calvin

C
Calvin
Joel Goodson said:
It's the 11th hour. ~95% (at least) of the good HS bigs are already signed. Share the angst, but fervently hope the staff pulls a couple of rabbits out of their hat. Clock is ticking.
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I think all the rabbits signed --we're looking for any animal that can dribble and move its feet. Or at least stick its hands up.

The 247 article is really negative, but reading it, there's not much to take issue with since its all true. :mad:
 
#1,749      

illini80

illini80
Forgottonia
illini80
Goldtop said:
Hindsight. They probably were confident in landing one of the other options they liked better than Trice, but it didn't work out that way. A big miss, yes, but labeling it a mistake is a bit strong and to hindsight is 20/20. They have shown to be decisive with recruits, like not waiting on Ramey.
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Of course it's hindsight. Coaching and recruiting is always judged that way.

As is much of life.
 
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