Weber says focusing on younger players a cornerstone of Illini's recruiting

It all started with Richmond, who wanted to commit on his first campus visit as an eighth-grader, Weber said. Even though it put Richmond under a microscope and left Illinois battling to retain him for three years, Weber would try it again in the right situation. Illinois is currently recruiting Chicago Whitney Young freshman Thomas Hamilton Jr., who has made at least one visit to the campus.

"We're hoping it would happen soon, to be honest,'' Weber said. "I don't know if we need three or four of them. If a kid is good enough, then why not?

Weber essentially changed his recruiting, going after younger recruits before AAU coaches or street agents get involved.

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