Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (April 2017)

[rockillini]

Also, Badocchi is obviously a great athlete playing for a powerhouse high school, why doesn't he have more offers?

Note that there are only two shots in that video that aren't at the rim and one of them is a free throw.

Recruit videos are like Tinder profiles, you always have to be aware of what they're NOT showing you.

He's a transfer student from Italy and arrived late on the seen. Not much exposure in the US, but in Italy a different story.

 

[rockillini]

Really like Francesco's tape. At the very least he has to be a player you took a chance on and try to develop. You can't teach that length and athleticism. The tools are there.

I absolutely love his attitude towards dunking, finishing and blocking shots. Have not seen a guy like that around here in sometime.

 

[MadSeason]

He's a transfer student from Italy and arrived late on the seen. Not much exposure in the US, but in Italy a different story.

Can he shoot? If so he's a top 100 talent for certain

 

[Deleted member 10676]

Also, Badocchi is obviously a great athlete playing for a powerhouse high school, why doesn't he have more offers?

Note that there are only two shots in that video that aren't at the rim and one of them is a free throw.

Recruit videos are like Tinder profiles, you always have to be aware of what they're NOT showing you.

One reason could be he only arrived here from Italy during his junior year and I don't think he played any AAU ball due to an injury he got playing in his junior year. I agree he's Ed Murrow-like in a way --- everything is at the rim. But Underwood must see something in him. He's got unreal hops -- that always helps.
http://kansas.247sportsdev5.com/Article/2017-SFPF-Francesco-Badocchi-highlights-44278790

2017 SF/PF

Francesco Badocchi[/b] made his way to Bishop Miege high school this year after transferring to the now Kansas 4a State Champs from Italy. Not many knew much about the player Miege was getting, but after sitting out the first semester because of transfer rules it didn't take long for Badocchi to show that he can play.
At 6'7" Badocchi played more of the wing position in Italy, but for Miege he played more of a hybrid forward position. His size and strength allowed him to get to the rim with ease, and his toughness make him one of the best post defenders in the area. He played with a bad right knee during the season, but Badocchi wasn't about to let that slow him down. He toughed his way through the injury and helped lead his team to the State Title.

 

[IlliniElite]

If we are trying to get 2* and 3* athletes we are done thats a bad sign....

 

[Calvin]

[YOUTUBE]TIqUe0d-X1s[/YOUTUBE]

Newer video.

You can see the fit there.

He looks much better in this one, and has grown into his body more. Has nice hops, movement, and aggression.

 

[MadSeason]

If we are trying to get 2* and 3* athletes we are done thats a bad sign....

A few months ago Mark Smith was a 2 or no star

 

[Second and Chalmers]

Can he shoot? If so he's a top 100 talent for certain

If he could shoot they'd show him shooting.

But you can teach a guy to shoot! You have a much better chance of teaching that than you do dunking through contact in traffic like this kid can do.

 

[BananaShampoo]

Also, Badocchi is obviously a great athlete playing for a powerhouse high school, why doesn't he have more offers?

Note that there are only two shots in that video that aren't at the rim and one of them is a free throw.

Recruit videos are like Tinder profiles, you always have to be aware of what they're NOT showing you.

From what it sounds and looks like Badocchi has a game similar to Tyrus Thomas. He might not have worked out that great for the Bulls but he was an excellent college player who helped his school get to the Final Four. I certainly wouldn't mind having a guy like him.

 

[MadSeason]

If he could shoot they'd show him shooting.

But you can teach a guy to shoot! You have a much better chance of teaching that than you do dunking through contact in traffic like this kid can do.

Absolutely and as you pointed out he is an aggressive rim protector

 

[PlayAZ]

He looks much better in this one, and has grown into his body more. Has nice hops, movement, and aggression.

All the above, looks to have a great feel for the game as well...would take this kid in a heartbeat...that active and finishing at high rate! Randle 2.0 but better imo..pair him with Hardy and Frazier/Tejon/Black and Williams...really like how athletic we might become quickly.

 

[mattcoldagelli]

But you can teach a guy to shoot! You have a much better chance of teaching that than you do dunking through contact in traffic like this kid can do.

Right - I mean, we're not Kentucky, so this is an important part of recruiting for us beyond the guys we'll need to plug in ASAP. Who are the guys who could look like total steals by the time they're juniors?

Not saying he's for sure that type of guy, but we need to be looking for them.

 

[Whitman2020]

I stand corrected. Smith made it through the weekend. Sounds like at least one more visit.

 

[IlliniBrave75]

40m
Derek Piper‏ @DPiperScout
#Illini HC Brad Underwood is already in pursuit of EJ Liddell. In-state 2019 stud talks about meeting him last week.

 

[PhillyIllini]

If we are trying to get 2* and 3* athletes we are done thats a bad sign....

Yea...that's totally the reason we hired Coach O!

 

[Deleted member 10676]

I stand corrected. Smith made it through the weekend. Sounds like at least one more visit.

Brenden Schaeffer‏ @bschaeffer12
.@Frank_Cusumano shares on @PressBox590: Edwardsville's Mark Smith will make one more visit, deciding between visiting Kentucky or Ohio St.

 

[illini55]

I stand corrected. Smith made it through the weekend. Sounds like at least one more visit.

The thing I don't get, though I've never been a premium athlete, is how a lifetime Illini fan even considers another school. I would have given my eye teeth, and then some, to even sit on the bench for the Illini. If he is the fan that has been reported, I'm not giving up on Mr. Smith until he signs a LOI with someone else.

Go Illini!!

 

[Dvick217]

Yea...that's totally the reason we hired Coach O!

Is coach O and BU going to meet with Smith one more time?

 

[troym22]

Even if you are the biggest fanatic of a team, imagine how hard it would be to turn down Izzo or Calipari after visiting with them, regardless of playing time.

 

[qcillini13]

Brenden Schaeffer‏ @bschaeffer12
.@Frank_Cusumano shares on @PressBox590: Edwardsville's Mark Smith will make one more visit, deciding between visiting Kentucky or Ohio St.

Did he/does he need to visit Missouri in order to sign there? Doesn't this kind of play against the idea that he would sign with Missouri? I know he was committed there and maybe that's why he doesn't need to visit there but still, this makes me feel more confident that he won't be headed to Missouri.

 

[mattcoldagelli]

The thing I don't get, though I've never been a premium athlete, is how a lifetime Illini fan even considers another school. I would have given my eye teeth, and then some, to even sit on the bench for the Illini.

I think you kind of answered it.

 

[Second and Chalmers]

The thing I don't get, though I've never been a premium athlete, is how a lifetime Illini fan even considers another school. I would have given my eye teeth, and then some, to even sit on the bench for the Illini. If he is the fan that has been reported, I'm not giving up on Mr. Smith until he signs a LOI with someone else.

Did you consider other colleges?

 

[Deleted member 10676]

Did he/does he need to visit Missouri in order to sign there? Doesn't this kind of play against the idea that he would sign with Missouri? I know he was committed there and maybe that's why he doesn't need to visit there but still, this makes me feel more confident that he won't be headed to Missouri.

I think he's biding his time to see how rosters end up -- waiting to see if Bridges stays at MSU or if Bowen comes in. Yes, I'm sure he's as familiar with Missouri as he is with Illinois. Personally, I think MSU still leads but I won't pretend I know where he'll end up.

Interesting note I read on a MSU board over the weekend. Bowen has been dying for a Kentucky offer since he was a sophomore and never got one. Smith blows up over 3 months and got one.

 

[Stook64]

I moved away in 1992; never understood how town managed to let Peoria take the tournament. It was absolutely a factor in recruiting, was cited so often. Seemed like someone in the mid 1990s had to have dropped the ball, so to speak, in losing it.

Yea, can hardly keep all of those Chicago kids out of Bradley!

 

[STLIlliniMike]

40m
Derek Piper‏ @DPiperScout
#Illini HC Brad Underwood is already in pursuit of EJ Liddell. In-state 2019 stud talks about meeting him last week.

I know he's a 2019 but he is a big time talent at a position of need, and should be considered about as "must get" as can be given where he goes to school, how long we'll have been recruiting him, and our bigs situation. Does anyone remember off hand what other schools are recruiting him hard?