Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January 2020)

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#501      

ILL in IA

ILL in IA
Iowa City
ILL in IA
ChiefIllini said:
Yeah I have a feeling there's more than meets the eye here too. Don't hardship waivers normally come in after a kid is committed to playing somewhere? I supposed as a staff they'd have a decent idea whether or not they'd get it, but it seems like a heck of a crap shoot even knowing the entire story behind one.
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Yes, you have to apply for it after you land at the new school. So the risk is involved i.e. Ahmad Starks
 
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#506      

dweebs19

dweebs19
dweebs19
I wouldn't mind Whitney coming to Illinois, but just bc he was a 5 star at kentucky doesn't mean he would automatically be good at Illinois. It's not like he never got a chance to play at Kentucky, so you could argue that he just needs a chance. He was starting for Kentucky and had a terrible average and someone else took his spot.
 
#508      

Deleted member 746338

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Guest
Deleted member 746338
dweebs19 said:
I wouldn't mind Whitney coming to Illinois, but just bc he was a 5 star at kentucky doesn't mean he would automatically be good at Illinois. It's not like he never got a chance to play at Kentucky, so you could argue that he just needs a chance. He was starting for Kentucky and had a terrible average and someone else took his spot.
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The argument (at least mine) is that sophomores are better than they were as freshmen. That he showed tons of promise in HS and betting on pedigree/taking a flier on that is how you win big as a non UK/KU/Duke (see Gonzaga, TTU, etc.)
 
#509      

ILL in IA

ILL in IA
Iowa City
ILL in IA
Watching that CH video, he reminds me a little bit of Aaron White from Iowa. I would definitely take Hawkins having that type of career and impact.
 
#510      

RIVERCITYCHIEF

R
RIVERCITYCHIEF
Hawkins looks very skilled. If he can add mass and get stronger look out. Bates Diop comes to mind if he can get big and strong i dont see why not. He has length and a good skill set as a freshman for sure.
 
#511      

Hopingfor500

H
Hopingfor500
Jamarvelous31 said:
This is silly. UK is the better team. Easiest way to show this is IL lost to and UK won against both their common opponents...

I also don't know how to argue with someone who is against taking a 5* with no disciplinary issues. IL should want all the talent it can get.
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Didn't they lose to Evansville?
 
#512      

Peoria Pipeline

Peoria Pipeline
Peoria Pipeline
Kahlil Whitney is 18 games into his career and some you are acting like hes a bust. He was only avg. about 13 mins a game. If he wants to come you take him in a heartbeat. He may not be the one and done like some thought he would be but hes going to be a really good college player.
 
#514      

NotThatPierre

N
NotThatPierre
Jamarvelous31 said:
The argument (at least mine) is that sophomores are better than they were as freshmen. That he showed tons of promise in HS and betting on pedigree/taking a flier on that is how you win big as a non UK/KU/Duke (see Gonzaga, TTU, etc.)
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Do you have some examples?

Matthews did nicely at Michigan but I don't think he was that big of a difference maker.

I think the case for Whitney could strengthened with more examples.
 
#515      

Ga65

G
Ga65
Guess he needs to be better than juniors Alan, Grandison, and Hutcherson to impact the team. Don’t know if that is a realistic expectation. Coaches will have to judge that but I don’t see it making the difference of a Kofi or a Curbelo next year.
 
#517      

haasi

haasi
New York
haasi
Ga65 said:
Guess he needs to be better than juniors Alan, Grandison, and Hutcherson to impact the team. Don’t know if that is a realistic expectation. Coaches will have to judge that but I don’t see it making the difference of a Kofi or a Curbelo next year.
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I’m hoping for spot minutes and big improvement from him next year, then he can help as a soph
 
#518      

RickBB

R
RickBB
bleedoandb11 said:
The OP didn't mention only transfers, so let's look at Meyers Leonard. He averaged 8 mpg and 2 ppg as a freshman. We changed coaches (similar to a transfer) and he averaged 32 mpg and over 13 ppg as a sophomore.
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I’m pretty sure Meyers’ last season was Weber’s last season. Unless I’m misunderstanding what you are saying here.
 
#519      

Dren1

Dren1
Glenview, IL
Dren1
In other recruiting news, a couple of Illini targets are on this list of Ten Midwest prospects who have improved their stock (the article also mentions Ahamad Bynum):

https://247sports.com/college/baske...Buckeyes-Pierre-Brooks-143063788/#143063788_1

Name: Louis Lesmond

Class of 2021

Ranking: Not ranked by 247Sports

Recruitment: Dayton, Illinois, Nebraska, Xavier, Indiana, Oklahoma and others

There is no substitute for being able to shoot the basketball, and a player with as pretty a stroke as any in the Midwest is Lesmond. Lesmond is around 6-foot-5 with solid athleticism, long arms, and he understands how to use screens and get his shot off. During the season, Lesmond has been one of the best performers in the state of Illinois, on the strength of his play Lesmond has turned his team into a state title contender, and college coaches from all over are taking notice. During the spring and summer Lesmond did enough to put himself on the radar, and now he is likely to be one of the most closely followed recruits in the entire region as we get into the spring evaluation period.

Name: Jordan Nesbitt

Class of 2021

2COMMENTS
Ranking: No. 148 overall in 247Sports Top247

Recruitment: Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Ole Miss, Tulane and others

He is older for his grade, but Nesbitt has answered the bell in a big way this year. Always he has had a lot of talent, but to this point he has also been very inconsistent with his play, despite his combination of size and athleticism. Now Nesbitt is beginning to put it all together, and his skill level and effort are catching up to his combination of size and athleticism on the wing. A strong spring, and he could find his way to the top of a lot of high-major recruiting boards.
 
#520      

NotThatPierre

N
NotThatPierre
bleedoandb11 said:
If we could get Charles Matthews level production out of a transfer, you absolutely take it.

The OP didn't mention only transfers, so let's look at Meyers Leonard. He averaged 8 mpg and 2 ppg as a freshman. We changed coaches (similar to a transfer) and he averaged 32 mpg and over 13 ppg as a sophomore.

The list of players who improved significantly from their freshman to their sophomore year is far too long. You absolutely take a chance on a 5-star transfer, given the opportunity. That said, I imagine Whitney is going to go pro so most of this discussion will wind up being moot.
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Well of course those improvements are long. But of course, that wasn't my question.

Do you have examples of transfers, outside of Matthews, of this working out well?

The OP said you have to take a "flier" like this to "win big" when you're not a blue blood. Well, who exactly has done that?

Our recruiting is looking pretty sharp right now. So taking Whitney means losing a spot for what these days is looking like a 4 star recruit. If he's Charles Matthews, it's a decent but not great deal. If he's Alex Legion or Aaron Cosby it's a waste.

If this is such a no-brainer, I'm guessing there's other examples like Matthews instead of, you know, Carlton Bragg.
 
#521      

Calvin

C
Calvin
bombayIllini said:
So .................. tell me which position does this kid play?
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Looks like a college 4 to me, that could play wing. Love seeing him drive and dump off --shows a nice feel for his limited strength and will be very useful at the college level. Been getting a little warmer on him the more I see his skill set. Like his upside.
 
#522      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
Calvin said:
Looks like a college 4 to me, that could play wing. Love seeing him drive and dump off --shows a nice feel for his limited strength and will be very useful at the college level. Been getting a little warmer on him the more I see his skill set. Like his upside.
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This. Still don't think he'll make an immediate impact (FWIW, I'm 100% ok with that), but his skill set is undeniable.
 
#525      

WARDFORTHREE

WARDFORTHREE
WARDFORTHREE
I like CH but unless he greatly improves his footwork and speed, he will not gain much playing time. Don't get me wrong, he can shoot and is coordinated enough, but as a former scout, I was always one to watch bigs footwork. He is very methodical in his movements, which works in HS, but college players will shut those lanes off faster than he has seen before. I am glad we got him, but don't see a ton out of him the first season unless he gains a lot of foot speed.

Glad he is an Illini and mad respect to him for taking on a challenge and moving away from his home.
 
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