Recruiting close to home again lifts Illinois
October 22, 2009 10:35 AM
"We had to do something," Weber admitted. "My staff had been fighting with me to offer kids early, but I never felt comfortable with it. I'm old-school."
But Jay Price and former assistant Tracy Webster kept chipping away -- and finally got Weber to budge.
The offer went out to Richmond, then a 14-year-old freshman considered the next can't-miss prospect from the state.
"I took it and a lot of people didn't understand why," Richmond said. "But I just knew this is where I wanted to play. It's one of the elite programs, and it's also in my home state."
Jeff Goodman
But Jay Price and former assistant Tracy Webster kept chipping away -- and finally got Weber to budge.
The offer went out to Richmond, then a 14-year-old freshman considered the next can't-miss prospect from the state.
"I took it and a lot of people didn't understand why," Richmond said. "But I just knew this is where I wanted to play. It's one of the elite programs, and it's also in my home state."
Jeff Goodman
Filed under: Illini Basketball
