Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (July-August 2016)

[SummerofGeorge]

Nobody more attractive than the one who turned you down..

To me this at least says we have confidence in our position - confidence sells.

Sounds like we're moving to a position of getting hand.

[YOUTUBE]8g3tQaqizh0[/YOUTUBE]

Embarrassed and jealous that I did not come up with that! POTD!

 

[illiniguy24]

I honestly feel with Finke, less of it will have to do with available playing time early, and more to do with if we are winning as a program.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Combo]

Maybe, but the article sure doesn't read that way coming from the Scrugg's side, sounds like it was Illinois that pulled out & at this point pulling out when you have gotten this close to a visit coming doesn't seem like you are saving much on resource side.



So maybe it is the orange koolaid, but I'm going with the theory there aren't infinite number of scholarships, we already have Frazier & Williams in 2017 and we are going to ride those horses for pg/cg.

"It's not you, it's me."

 

[Dan]

Kris Wilkes lists official visits
https://twitter.com/kadw31/status/770420701824184324

Official dates:
Illinois Sept 9th-11th
UCLA Sept 22nd-25th
Indiana Sept 30th- Oct 2
Xavier Oct 28th-30th
Uconn November 3rd-6th

 

[BillMo]

telling PS sorry we don't need you sure makes me think JG knows something that makes him want that room for either someone in 17 or 18 that he thinks is a better fit/need or just a better player cause he can count. I am hoping it means Wilkes is a lot more likely then we all think, plus he wants another big for the year.

 

[RockfordIllini]

telling PS sorry we don't need you sure makes me think JG knows something that makes him want that room for either someone in 17 or 18 that he thinks is a better fit/need or just a better player cause he can count. I am hoping it means Wilkes is a lot more likely then we all think, plus he wants another big for the year.

That's what has me a bit confused and cautiously optimistic. Class balance is wonderful, but if you have a chance at a legit mcdaa type of player you have to take it. Especially with everyone we have in the fold, why not try for a home run? Makes me excited for what could be coming down the pipe.

 

[Greensboro]

We had no chance with Scruggs, no point to waste either sides time.

think we have any chance with Wilkes?

If Wilkes visit sticks it may give us a bit of insight into how much of Scruggs cancelling was because we had no chance vs. we are getting pickier with the last 2 schollies. If the only reason we cancelled on Scruggs was because we had no chance, why would we keep Wilkes visit if we don't have a chance? Higher ranked, more of a position of need, we don't see Scruggs significantly better than Williams/Frazier, or maybe we have higher than zero chance of landing Wilkes...but if we keep Wilkes visit after passing on Scruggs I don't see how you can't take something positive out of this, it isn't just a face save.

 

[BillMo]

That's what has me a bit confused and cautiously optimistic. Class balance is wonderful, but if you have a chance at a legit mcdaa type of player you have to take it. Especially with everyone we have in the fold, why not try for a home run? Makes me excited for what could be coming down the pipe.

I think Wilkes is the homerun they are after. I wouldn't have minded at all getting PS but I think DW is better no matter what the rankings say just got to get him playing a little more selfish and his numbers would jump

IF and its a BIG IF we can land Wilkes and any other big we are after would be one heck of a class

pg TF
sg DM
SF Wilkes and JP
PF Big yet to be determined
c JT

then JP who I soooo much want to RS just because of what Hill has done and how much alike they seem. I truly believe JP will score more points and have more rebounds as an Illini then anyone else in this class, and if he RS those numbers will be higher

 

[SummerofGeorge]

I love that we are in an apparent position to say no to a player like Scruggs. Sounds like it was handled professionally which speaks well of Groce and the program as a whole. Based on the article, sounds as though Scruggs was at least slightly disappointed but also appreciative. This is very much against the grain from past recruiting practices so I am excited and eager to find out the back story here. I hope it is another sign of the Illini trending upward

 

[Deleted member 10676]

Henricksen: A sweet 16 in Class of 2017

http://suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2016/08/29/henricksen-sweet-16-class-2016/

1. Jeremiah Tilmon, 6-10, East St. Louis
With size and terrific mobility, Tilmon, a top 25 prospect nationally, is a major factor at both ends of the floor. He’s an instant presence and game-changer for an East St. Louis team that now will be a factor in Class 4A. Chicago area fans can catch a glimpse of Tilmon this December at the Chicago Elite Classic.
College: Committed to Illinois

4. Da’Monte Williams, 6-3, Peoria Manual
When the light goes on and he’s thoroughly engaged, Williams is a super talent. Now it’s matter of keeping the light on for long, consistent stretches. When locked in and focused, Williams can be a special talent as a big, long combo guard who brings a little bit of the flare and an easy feel for the game.
College: Committed to Illinois

8. Javon Pickett, 6-4, Belleville East
The shooting and handle are still coming along, but he plays hard, competes and finds a way to impact games in a variety of ways with his length and toughness. Long and rangy with a body that’s going to easily fill out and get stronger, Pickett brings versatility while finding ways to get to the line.
College: Committed to Illinois

 

[Jkat00]

I love that we are in an apparent position to say no to a player like Scruggs. Sounds like it was handled professionally which speaks well of Groce and the program as a whole. Based on the article, sounds as though Scruggs was at least slightly disappointed but also appreciative. This is very much against the grain from past recruiting practices so I am excited and eager to find out the back story here. I hope it is another sign of the Illini trending upward

Frazier committed. We got one in 2016 ( Lucas). Damonte can also play point. We don't need another PG in the 2017 class. That's the whole story.

 

[BillMo]

Henricksen: A sweet 16 in Class of 2017

http://suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2016/08/29/henricksen-sweet-16-class-2016/

I think Pickett is closer to 6-7 then 6-4

 

[GForce]

Frazier committed. We got one in 2016 ( Lucas). Damonte can also play point. We don't need another PG in the 2017 class. That's the whole story.

While Scruggs is a more talented player, I'm thinking Groce believes his current pg's are an ideal/better fit for his system.

 

[Adnarel]

Let's pause for a second and realize that we're talking about landing a "home run" and we have a 5-star already committed in this class. When's the last time Illinois landed two 5-stars in a single class?

 

[FatGreg]

Kris Wilkes lists official visits
https://twitter.com/kadw31/status/770420701824184324

Official dates:
Illinois Sept 9th-11th
UCLA Sept 22nd-25th
Indiana Sept 30th- Oct 2
Xavier Oct 28th-30th
Uconn November 3rd-6th

I feel strangely hopeful about Wilkes. I still think we're likely running 4th behind IU, UCLA, and XU, but having the first visit gives us a chance to set the bar high. I feel like it's a legit possibility that he commits to us either before or after the Xavier visit. Either way, I don't think he makes it to UCONN.

 

[combes]

Henricksen: A sweet 16 in Class of 2017

http://suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2016/08/29/henricksen-sweet-16-class-2016/

My viewings tell me that Pickett should be #5 on that list. He was a first team all stater last year and averaged more points than any player on that list. I think he will surprise at Illinois.

 

[BillMo]

My viewings tell me that Pickett should be #5 on that list. He was a first team all stater last year and averaged more points than any player on that list. I think he will surprise at Illinois.

I was thinking the same I could see him being 3 or 4 and DW being 5 if he has gotten up to 6-6,6-7

 

[FatGreg]

It's possible that one of the conditions of Frazier's commitment was that Groce stop recruiting point guards until 2018. It's possible that the staff didn't feel like Scruggs was coming either way, so it was an easy call. I think that Scruggs is almost certainly a better player than Da'Monte or Frazier currently, but there's probably something to the notion that Groce sees Frazier as a better fit in purely schematic terms: after all (in theory - never yet in practice), we run a high ball screen offense predicated on a lead guard being able to pull up when a defender gets stuck on the screener, attack when there's a lane, finish one-on-one at the hoop, and kick out to open shooters if help defense rotates.

Scruggs is a top-35 player in the class because he's a 6'4 top-shelf athlete with lead guard skills and a good motor. However, his biggest weakness is outside shooting. Frazier can get hot and fill it up from anywhere. He's an exceptional shooter. I'd bet money that Groce still had Scruggs rated higher on his board, but I imagine he had the two graded pretty similarly (whereas in the rankings there's a 70 place gap between them). Frazier is an ideal fit for our offense; Scruggs is an ideal fit for any offense because he's got a size/skill/athleticism profile that makes him really hard to match up against at the college level.

 

[IlliniFan25]

Pickett vs Malcolm Comparisons

My viewings tell me that Pickett should be #5 on that list. He was a first team all stater last year and averaged more points than any player on that list. I think he will surprise at Illinois.

Combes, how do you view Pickett compared to Malcolm at the same stage in high school?

 

[jonnymo]

I get what you're sayin' jonny, but at the same time, Tim is just taking advantage of being around a major college program in his home town. Right now, the choice is essentially, hang out with the Illini and play hoops on campus OR do not. It's not like he can be picky right now. I'm sure he's enjoying the elevated competition and facilities; however, when he does have the choice to go away and play at college, his opportunities expand exponentially.

He'll still have the UI relationships and maybe they'll be strong enough, but he may want to go out and make his own way. In the meantime, he's not going to turn down playing hoops at a B1G university as a high schooler, so I'm not sure the fact that he plays at Ubben all of the time is that significant.

I guess I should have expanded much more in my thoughts lol.

I agree with what everyone is saying. His pros vs cons list is extremely long. More so than your typical recruit. I could see him playing here and I could just as easily see him going elsewhere.

Non of which would be Groce and staffs fault.

 

[Newman]

I think Pickett is closer to 6-7 then 6-4

He's almost Hill's height, but let's keep in mind that Hill was measured at 6'5.5" in shoes at the Nike Basketball Academy over the summer. Pickett will likely be listed at 6'6" on our roster though if that makes you feel better

 

[IlliniBrave75]

Jeff Borzello
ESPN Staff Writer

No. 67 Jericho Sims has committed to Texas, source told ESPN. Second ESPN 100 commitment in 2017 for Shaka Smart.

 

[cali illini]

Frazier committed. We got one in 2016 ( Lucas). Damonte can also play point. We don't need another PG in the 2017 class. That's the whole story.

This

 

[BillMo]

He's almost Hill's height, but let's keep in mind that Hill was measured at 6'5.5" in shoes at the Nike Basketball Academy over the summer. Pickett will likely be listed at 6'6" on our roster though if that makes you feel better

well then in shoes I would guess pickett would be measured at 6-6 from any picture I have seen he is a tad taller then hill

 

[Johnny Lawrence]

I feel strangely hopeful about Wilkes. I still think we're likely running 4th behind IU, UCLA, and XU, but having the first visit gives us a chance to set the bar high. I feel like it's a legit possibility that he commits to us either before or after the Xavier visit. Either way, I don't think he makes it to UCONN.

As oppose to while on the Xavier visit?