Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (March 2021)

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#2,477      
Why we living in the past? Too many bad memories.......good things to look forward to right now.
 
#2,480      

GrayGhost77

Centennial, CO
Never did amount to anything -- am I right? Played at Clemson for a while?
He actually did pretty well at Clemson. We could definitely have used him during those dark days.

From Wikipedia:

"On January 6, 2016, he announced he was transferring to Clemson after taking visits to Nebraska and Arizona. As a sophomore, Thomas averaged 7.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. On November 24, 2017, he posted career-highs of 26 points and 16 rebounds in an 84-77 victory over Texas Southern. He averaged 10.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game as a junior, shooting 56 percent from the floor. Thomas was named to the ACC All-Defensive Team. He had nine double-doubles and helped the Tigers reach to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1997. As a senior, Thomas averaged 13 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. He was named to the ACC All-Defensive Team for the second straight season, as well as Honorable Mention All-ACC. He was the seventh Clemson player to compile 900 points, 600 rebounds and 150 blocks."
 
#2,482      
Biggest recruiting miss ever, IMHO, was SheldOn Williams.

IMO, SheldOn picking Duke is what convinced Self that he wouldn’t get the players he wanted at Illinois and he needed the Kansas name behind him.
 
#2,484      
Are we sure Giorgi is back next year?
I have said all along that I think he will transfer, or go play overseas somewhere. He has given a lot to the program and I wouldn't blame him one bit. Has to be tough losing so much PT and degressing each year. Last year I think he missed 92% of shots within 5 feet of the rim. This year he seemed so agitated all year with PT, officials, and overall not enjoying things like he has in the past.

The kid has not seen family in person for almost 2 years I think on top of everything else. Love having him on the team, but if a fresh start will revive him somewhere, he deserves it for his last 2 years.
 
#2,487      

sacraig

The desert
Can’t forget Quentin Snider

Eh. I don't consider that in the same class. One, he wasn't nearly as highly-regarded as some of these others. Two, Louisville was always his dream school so it really wasn't a surprise that he took their offer once it was made. The crappiest thing about that one was the fact that the Louisville offer for him came so late.
 
#2,488      

Illwinsagain

Cary, IL
The craziest I remember was the Livingston recruitment. Wearing an ILLINI shirt then picking Dook. It was on the other board when it happened. You would have thought the world was going to end. Oh well. You get some and lose some.
That recruitment is what introduced me to the Illiniboard. I have been suffering from an addiction ever sense.
 
#2,489      

Deleted member 747671

D
Guest
Eh. I don't consider that in the same class. One, he wasn't nearly as highly-regarded as some of these others. Two, Louisville was always his dream school so it really wasn't a surprise that he took their offer once it was made. The crappiest thing about that one was the fact that the Louisville offer for him came so late.
Didn't Snider also never actually visit Illinois? Maybe I'm misremembering. I know he was originally committed to Louisville.
 
#2,490      
I have said all along that I think he will transfer, or go play overseas somewhere. He has given a lot to the program and I wouldn't blame him one bit. Has to be tough losing so much PT and degressing each year. Last year I think he missed 92% of shots within 5 feet of the rim. This year he seemed so agitated all year with PT, officials, and overall not enjoying things like he has in the past.

The kid has not seen family in person for almost 2 years I think on top of everything else. Love having him on the team, but if a fresh start will revive him somewhere, he deserves it for his last 2 years.

Giorgi seemed to have an amazing year.
 
#2,491      
Eh. I don't consider that in the same class. One, he wasn't nearly as highly-regarded as some of these others. Two, Louisville was always his dream school so it really wasn't a surprise that he took their offer once it was made. The crappiest thing about that one was the fact that the Louisville offer for him came so late.

He was a top 40 recruit and he literally decommitted on signing day. It all started because of Jaquon Lyle's decommitment. He also was a productive 4-year player. That one stung way more than Cliff. Groce legitimately had his point guard. Snider and Black was a heck of a class.
 
#2,492      
Eh. I don't consider that in the same class. One, he wasn't nearly as highly-regarded as some of these others. Two, Louisville was always his dream school so it really wasn't a surprise that he took their offer once it was made. The crappiest thing about that one was the fact that the Louisville offer for him came so late.
Independently, sure, it’s different. But I wouldn’t discount it entirely considering it was part of the 1-2 punch of the Cliffmas that happened in the same couple days IIRC. Rough week.
 
#2,494      
I question whether Livingston or Alexander were really misses. Livingston picked Duke then ended up in the NBA without setting foot on campus. Alexander was far more trouble than he was worth for Kansas. If he had chosen the Illini, we would likely would have been hit with multiple sanctions. What did we lose with either?
I always thought Livingston picked Duke simply to use their brand name to increase his market value to the pros.
 
#2,495      

Ubermensch

BOOM! Feed my ego.
Biggest recruiting miss ever, IMHO, was SheldOn Williams.

IMO, SheldOn picking Duke is what convinced Self that he wouldn’t get the players he wanted at Illinois and he needed the Kansas name behind him.
Ike Diogu. Devastating miss.
 
#2,498      

sacraig

The desert
He was a top 40 recruit and he literally decommitted on signing day. It all started because of Jaquon Lyle's decommitment. He also was a productive 4-year player. That one stung way more than Cliff. Groce legitimately had his point guard. Snider and Black was a heck of a class.

I am not saying it didn't sting or hurt our program. I just wasn't as hurt by it. He got an offer from his dream school and he took it. It sucked that it was late. It sucked that it was finally the PG we needed. It sucked that he went on to be a productive 4 year player. But I didn't blame him. It was just an unfortunate (for us) series of coincidental circumstances and he didn't pull a hat trick or wear an Illinois jersey or anything like that.
 
#2,499      

skyIdub

Winged Warrior
I have said all along that I think he will transfer, or go play overseas somewhere. He has given a lot to the program and I wouldn't blame him one bit. Has to be tough losing so much PT and degressing each year. Last year I think he missed 92% of shots within 5 feet of the rim. This year he seemed so agitated all year with PT, officials, and overall not enjoying things like he has in the past.

The kid has not seen family in person for almost 2 years I think on top of everything else. Love having him on the team, but if a fresh start will revive him somewhere, he deserves it for his last 2 years.
This is really a bad take.

It's really....amazing, if you will.....how some posters can just create their own narrative concerning some players.

Does Giorgi leaving really pass the eye test? Have you been watching the relationship he's created with Kofi? I'm certainly not asserting that he wouldn't leave, but why create some story about him needing a "fresh start" because of the last two years?
Did you not watch any of his interviews this year? He knew when Kofi came last year his role would change, and he embraced it. If he wanted a "fresh start", why wouldn't he leave then?

He's only digressed statistically because of being forced into a new role. His defense has improved, and he got zero respect from refs compared to Kofi. I also guarantee you he has helped Kofi with his footwork around the basket tremendously.

Again, I'm not saying he won't, or wouldn't, leave, but this take is completely backwards. Every single thing I've read or watched about Giorgi over the last year is absolutely smothered in smiles, happiness, and joy. He is a unicorn personality when it comes to dealing with difficulties and troubles, and he brings that into everyone he is around.

I expect him back, and don't be even a little surprised when Kofi comes back and mentions his relationship (roommate) with Giorgi as part of his thought process in the decision.
 
#2,500      
This is really a bad take.

It's really....amazing, if you will.....how some posters can just create their own narrative concerning some players.

Does Giorgi leaving really pass the eye test? Have you been watching the relationship he's created with Kofi? I'm certainly not asserting that he wouldn't leave, but why create some story about him needing a "fresh start" because of the last two years?
Did you not watch any of his interviews this year? He knew when Kofi came last year his role would change, and he embraced it. If he wanted a "fresh start", why wouldn't he leave then?

He's only digressed statistically because of being forced into a new role. His defense has improved, and he got zero respect from refs compared to Kofi. I also guarantee you he has helped Kofi with his footwork around the basket tremendously.

Again, I'm not saying he won't, or wouldn't, leave, but this take is completely backwards. Every single thing I've read or watched about Giorgi over the last year is absolutely smothered in smiles, happiness, and joy. He is a unicorn personality when it comes to dealing with difficulties and troubles, and he brings that into everyone he is around.

I expect him back, and don't be even a little surprised when Kofi comes back and mentions his relationship (roommate) with Giorgi as part of his thought process in the decision.

This. 100% this.

(I liked your post but that didn't do it justice)
 
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