Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#651      

haasi

haasi
New York
haasi
I was about to post literally the same thing - fantastic developments in recruiting but seems like we have a need at center and there’s little news about any center prospects in classes of 2022 or 23. Wondering if we’re relying on Payne development and the portal or if there are leads on HS kids.
 
#652      

RockfordIllini

R
RockfordIllini
My educated guess is they will look to the portal for front court help.

Front court players who can immediately contribute as FROSH are really rare, in high demand, and usually leave for the draft after a couple of years anyway. Plus, now they can transfer with no penalty. Seems like a big risk to spend time and resources recruiting and developing a kid only for him to walk and have another coach reap the fruits of your labor. There should be a bevy of plug and play bigs available in the portal every year.

I love all of our guard/wing recruits so far and hope all of them stay. But, hypothetically, if it doesn’t work out and one of them transfers, they are a lot easier to replace than a front court piece. JMHO.
 
#653      

BretMyBeachHouse

B
BretMyBeachHouse
RockfordIllini said:
Seems like a big risk to spend time and resources recruiting and developing a kid only for him to walk and have another coach reap the fruits of your labor.
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This a cop out. Recruiting at the top level has always been a big risk in terms of time and resources. I agree that the portal will be a huge factor moving forward, but we don't pull back on our recruiting because the guy we get might leave in a year. That's not the path to success.
 
#654      

ChiefIllinois

C
ChiefIllinois
haasi said:
I was about to post literally the same thing - fantastic developments in recruiting but seems like we have a need at center and there’s little news about any center prospects in classes of 2022 or 23. Wondering if we’re relying on Payne development and the portal or if there are leads on HS kids.
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BUs mentioned it directly that the recruiting game has continued to shift toward the transfer portal.

If we assume Kofi is gone and the fact that there are very few 2022 HS centers even available let alone ready to play big ten bball, it makes complete sense they arent focusing on HS to replace Kofi--at least for next year.

As far as I know corhen was the only 22 C we pursued hard.
 
#655      

skyIdub

skyIdub
Winged Warrior
skyIdub
Illinois Basketball during 4 years of BU:
cinderella-transformation.gif
 
#657      

LvilleILL

LvilleILL
LvilleILL
the juiceman cometh said:
I imagine we'll hit the transfer market in the offseason, but as far as 2022 prep prospects, we're done right? Focus appears to be on our top 2023 and 2024 prospects? Man, what a luxury. Can't really ask for much more from early signing period.
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yes 2022 should be done. maybe a transfer over the winter if there's the right player available. If not focus will be on 2023 and a couple of transfers in the portal during the spring
 
#658      

illiniguy24

illiniguy24
illiniguy24
TheFameProtector said:
Here's Jerry Meyer's evaluation of Fears (on 247): "Not a point guard with length but has a strong sturdy build. Plays with poise and composure but has a quick burst to the basket going either direction. Uses change of pace and change of direction extremely well. Has a top notch ability to draw defenders and deliver a timely and accurate pass. His greatest strength is running a team as a floor general. Finishes well around the rim. Not a high riser but gets off the floor quickly jumping off two feet. Prefers the pass over the midrange jumper. Can keep defense honest with his jumper but there is room for improvement. Has a low release. Has potential to be a tough defender. Could be a more aggressive rebounder."
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Interesting. His ability to get to the rim and dish the rock must be outstanding because this doesn’t seem like the review of a 5 star?
As always though, if Brad & Co. want him, I want him.
 
#659      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
the juiceman cometh said:
I imagine we'll hit the transfer market in the offseason, but as far as 2022 prep prospects, we're done right? Focus appears to be on our top 2023 and 2024 prospects? Man, what a luxury. Can't really ask for much more from early signing period.
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A kid like Mady Traore might be a take. But we're definitely in wait-and-see transfer portal mode now. Some '23s may be reclass candidates too.
 
#660      

the juiceman cometh

T
the juiceman cometh
illiniguy24 said:
Interesting. His ability to get to the rim and dish the rock must be outstanding because this doesn’t seem like the review of a 5 star?
As always though, if Brad & Co. want him, I want him.
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He's currently a 4-star, but right on the border (I think for 247 composite 5-star = 0.9900; Fears is at 0.9880). Meyer also projects him as a 1st round pick.
 
#661      

Oldskoolkoach

O
Oldskoolkoach
LvilleILL said:
yes 2022 should be done. maybe a transfer over the winter if there's the right player available. If not focus will be on 2023 and a couple of transfers in the portal during the spring
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I think if a stud big becomes available, we give him a pretty serious look in the 22 class. One has to think Kofi is gone, but never know. He tested the waters those first couple years when they draft on potential and now he is kinda stuck. Plus he is making that NIL money
 
#662      

Ga65

G
Ga65
We’ve tried the formula of lots of good wings and no PG or center. Not a good strategy.
 
#663      

Homecoming 2019

Homecoming 2019
Chicago
Homecoming 2019
Joel Goodson said:
A kid like Mady Traore might be a take. But we're definitely in wait-and-see transfer portal mode now. Some '23s may be reclass candidates too.
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Heard on here that Grandison is most likely gone after this season, and if Hutch & Kofi stay that would put us at our allotted scholarship amount. There is always 1 or 2 transfers you can't see coming, so I'm guessing we will have 2 scholarships open by end of season.
 
#666      

Pikeillinifan

Pikeillinifan
Pikeillinifan
Homecoming 2019 said:
Heard on here that Grandison is most likely gone after this season, and if Hutch & Kofi stay that would put us at our allotted scholarship amount. There is always 1 or 2 transfers you can't see coming, so I'm guessing we will have 2 scholarships open by end of season.
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I can't see Kofi staying, I'd love to see it, but he has to try to go pro unless he has a miserable year. . . which won't happen.

And I hope he plays a long, long time in the NBA.
 
#669      

BashCtIllini

BashCtIllini
BashCtIllini
We all know there will be coaches fired. When that happens it's a free for all for their players. There will always be the mid-major who plays so well he decides it's time to say thanks for the degree St Bonaventure, I'm going to leave you for my best year and go P5. That will be even worse now since they will be able to get for more NIL money now. You'll see mid-major players transferring at any year because of the money.

So if we have a strong team and Kofi leaves, with everything else we have, we will become very attractive to the best post player transfers.
 
#670      

pvaughn8

P
pvaughn8
BashCtIllini said:
We all know there will be coaches fired. When that happens it's a free for all for their players. There will always be the mid-major who plays so well he decides it's time to say thanks for the degree St Bonaventure, I'm going to leave you for my best year and go P5. That will be even worse now since they will be able to get for more NIL money now. You'll see mid-major players transferring at any year because of the money.

So if we have a strong team and Kofi leaves, with everything else we have, we will become very attractive to the best post player transfers.
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Didn't really work out for us last off-season and you can see where the team would be if Kofi didn't come back. Hopefully we have better luck this go around
 
#672      

soupy17

soupy17
MI
soupy17
pvaughn8 said:
Didn't really work out for us last off-season and you can see where the team would be if Kofi didn't come back. Hopefully we have better luck this go around
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Also the Payne transfer is not something to write off. I like to think that Brad designs a different looking offense to better utilize Payne, and practices it more heavily, if Kofi never comes back.
 
#674      

altgeld88

altgeld88
Arlington, Virginia
altgeld88
sacraig said:
We are 3 games into a young season. It's far too early to assess our transfers.
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+100

I believe it's also too early even to assess how our non-transfers will play together. I've been watching college hoops a long time. It's a rare season when teams jell in November, or even by mid-December. Sometimes what appears to be a sporadically competent team in mid-January turns out quite well by late Feb. They're kids playing a physical game on a grueling schedule. It's a long season.
 
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