Jereme Richmond named player of the year

ESPN recruiting coordinator Reggie Rankin was in Chicago to observe Richmond's 16-point, 13-rebound, seven-block and four-steal game against Whitney Young in the City-Suburban Showdown in February. Richmond's all-around dominance reaffirmed why he's ranked among the top players in the country and even impressed in a few areas he hadn't before.

"Richmond is a combination of talent, size and skill," Rankin said. "He is an athletic, above-the-rim finisher on the break and with a clear path in the half court. What makes this wing special is his skill package -- pass, dribble shoot."

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"Last year after we lost [the title game to Young], I was interviewed and said winning a state title wasn't the most important thing to me," Richmond said. "It's very important now."

Richmond also thinks it's crucial to his success at Illinois next season.

"I want to go in there next year and be a leader," Richmond said. "I feel like a natural leader, and winning the state title would give me some credibility."

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