Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (December 2019)
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I suppose this is one that we’ll pass on, only for him to haunt us for four years.
Michael Zanoni was one of the top sophomores at our North Carolina Fall Preview camp last weekend. The 6-foot-4 guard from Providence Day in Charlotte was the best shooter our staff saw on the camp stage.
College coaches are starting to catch on to the top performer from the event. Zanoni recently went to UNC Wilmington for an unofficial visit. He’ll make a trip to Pac-12 country this weekend for an unofficial visit to Utah.
He told HoopSeen.com that he is also hearing from Charlotte, Davidson, Winthrop and Yale.
Zanoni is one of the top sophomores that we’ve seen so far on our entire Preview camp stage, spanning over four states.
College coaches are starting to catch on to the top performer from the event. Zanoni recently went to UNC Wilmington for an unofficial visit. He’ll make a trip to Pac-12 country this weekend for an unofficial visit to Utah.
He told HoopSeen.com that he is also hearing from Charlotte, Davidson, Winthrop and Yale.
Zanoni is one of the top sophomores that we’ve seen so far on our entire Preview camp stage, spanning over four states.
We need shooters...would take him over an athlete who can't shoot a lick...of course both is better but would be nice to have one of these guys if we believe he can get his shot off in the Big Ten.
Cool, he was talking about Collinsville... so we are all good.
Totally agree, Michael Zanoni would be a great add.
SampsonRelpenk
- Edwardsville, IL
Glad that the staff is being proactive, but those offers definitely suggest we consider Kofi gone.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
We need contingency plans, it's that simple. I have no doubt that Kofi will go if he's a first rounder. He might be better served by staying another year, but can't assume that's going to happen.
Both of those centers are 2021 guys, not 2020.
He's been here for an unofficial visit so I'd so were firmly interested. (No this isn't the same quoted post as the other poster)...
"One of the best shooters we saw over the Fall Preview series. The Charlotte (NC) Providence Day guard is a scorer. He can create separation and make the tough shots. He does a really good job of moving without the ball and use screens. Zanoni first impressed our HoopSeen staff at the June NCAA evaluation period where he scored 38 points against one of the top teams in the state, Charlotte (NC) Carmel Christian. Playing at Providence Day, he will play one of the tougher schedules in the state and compete for a state title. The 6-foot-4 Zanoni has the size for the college basketball game and is already taking in some campus visits. He recently visited Utah and has been to Illinois for unofficial visits. - Justin Byerly"
https://hoopseen.com/news/event/201910/best-preview-circuit-top-sophomores
Yeah if we are looking for contengency plans if Kofi leaves this year, going after 2021 guys isn't going to help (immediately, and barring reclasses). Unless we're fine with Giorgi at the 5 for 30 next year, and Hamlin/Kouma being good for 10, and someone playing the 4 for extended time.... Don't know and honestly it's too early to assume anything. Maybe they're more concerned with getting a stop gap grad transfer next year, and hitting it big in 2021. That would be my best guess if they are worried Kofi leaves.
Either way, I think they are bankings BBV/Hamlin/Kouma/whoever else is ready to play like 20ish combined minutes next year.
Either way, I think they are bankings BBV/Hamlin/Kouma/whoever else is ready to play like 20ish combined minutes next year.
The Recruit
The Eternal Optimist
- Denver, CO
Man, this is almost a little depressing. I don't like the talk of the Kofi days coming to an end yet. I know it's a good look for other athletes to see how we can develop and get bigs to the league, but in my perfect dream we would have Kofi 4 years and win the national championship at least twice! Haha.
Our 2022-23 roster consists of Coleman Hawkins, Andre Curbelo, Ben Bosmans-Verdonk, and Jermaine Hamlin right now. Hoping we add some note worthy pieces in the 2021 class as well but 2022 is shaping up to be a big class in which case we'd definitely have a spot to give to a pure shooter (as long as we believed he could be coached to play D as well).
You forgot Miller
You think Miller would be here for a 3rd year? I do not.
My point being....it's a little early to declare Miller more NBA ready than say Curbelo....so it's a lock Miller is one or two and done and Curbelo is here for 3 or 4?
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
90+% of high D1 6' PGs are 4 year players. Not a lock, and neither is Miller a 2 year lock. No locks.
I don't think it is. Curbelo may be our Winston with his body type and that's perfectly okay (and probably better for the Illini).
Miller has made a point of making it known he wants to be in the NBA ASAP. Curbelo may be the 3-4 year guy even if he could go sooner - I don't know enough about his goals and priorities.
I intentionally left Miller off since if he's here in year 3 something went wrong. Curbelo being here in year 3 does not mean anything necessarily went wrong as he could be NBA ready and choose to stay.
Disagree, his 15 foot jumper needs a lot of work. Great on FTs, but in the run of play his jumper has been mostly too hard. He hneeds to make that regularly.
Doesn't sound like it. If scouts talk about you as being maybe the best shooter they have seen in NC and surrounding states, pretty sure he's one the staff will be hot after, being 6'4" already as just a HS sophomore.
Are his growth plates still open?
That would help (no idea) but a 6'4" SG who is a great shooter, he doesn't really need any more size.
Deleted member 645583
D
Guest
If Zanoni can shoot as well as they say he can, well shoot: consider him. We sure need sharpshooters. And I would be happy to call him "The Great Zanoni" -sounds like a magician's name.
Just for grins, who were the best shooters in Illini history? Kaufman, Bradford, Eddie Johnson, Deron Williams (just some names I'm throwing out)? Seriously, who were the best? I don't think Illinois has ever had a Rick Mount-type or a Pistol Pete. I could be very wrong.
Thanks.
Just for grins, who were the best shooters in Illini history? Kaufman, Bradford, Eddie Johnson, Deron Williams (just some names I'm throwing out)? Seriously, who were the best? I don't think Illinois has ever had a Rick Mount-type or a Pistol Pete. I could be very wrong.
Thanks.
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Well Eddie Johnson never attempted a 3 at Illinois. I believe it was established around 1986.
Bradford, Jamar Smith while he was here, Aletenger for the one ir two years he had and Garris were all good from beyond the arc.
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