Didn't we have someone announce...I'm not transferring? Loved that he talked about Illinois showing him what a culture was about.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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To be fair, the Monte>RJ minutes were pretty frustrating for much of last year. Could tell RJ was special in his first preseason minutes.
First let me just say that I love every player that comes in and wears the O&B. I believe that Podz was a bit overhyped during the recruiting though. He never really played against the top HS competition. I think he can be a very good D1 player, but probably not as Fr/Soph. There is a reason why Brad didn’t give him much playing time. I would have liked to see him return, but understand that he wants to play now.
Not surprised by this announcement. I lurked on Mr Podz user name a few times over the past month or so. He hasn’t posted since January. Pretty much right after the NW game where his whole family showed up and Brandin didn’t see the court.
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I completely understand and expect nothing less. Thanks for sharing what you can...
Podz, whenever you go, I will root for you, I dig your game
Not if you followed his HS gf on the gram.
Clearly my custom #0 jersey is cursed. Just glad I didn't bother updating it with Podz name like I was planning on.
I wish the kid the best and maybe he'll boomerang back (?).
I wish the kid the best and maybe he'll boomerang back (?).
illini80
- Forgottonia
Payne also gone.
You earn minutes with BU defensively...RJ getting better but I'm sure that's on his list for off season. He will get all the minutes he deserves this year.
The new world order of recruiting.
Unfortunately the ones who will be hurt by this are the lower 4 star players who hope to play for top power 5 conference teams. Why recruit a kid that you hope you can develop into an active piece of the team down the road anymore when there is a good chance they won't stick around. Might as well let them develop somewhere else and then pick them up later if they turn out to be any good.
In addition to that, go somewhere you have a chance to get playing time and can develop, and then transfer out after your Sophomore year.
Unfortunately the ones who will be hurt by this are the lower 4 star players who hope to play for top power 5 conference teams. Why recruit a kid that you hope you can develop into an active piece of the team down the road anymore when there is a good chance they won't stick around. Might as well let them develop somewhere else and then pick them up later if they turn out to be any good.
In addition to that, go somewhere you have a chance to get playing time and can develop, and then transfer out after your Sophomore year.
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JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
I'm both bummed out and happy that Podz can transfer somewhere else without needing to sit out a year. Glad players have more control now in identifying the best situation for them.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
The saga continues:
#1 - Curbelo exits
#2 - Payne exits
#3 - Skyy joins the team
#4 - Podz exits
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
I'll say it, I never understood the Podz love around here. He seems like a great kid and works really hard, but I could say that about the entire team.
Fact is, he was recruited with 2 extremely similar players. Those two similar players were from much bigger schools and ended up seeing a decent amount of PT as Fr. and having a real impact on a game or 2.
I think as soon as we brought in Goode, Melendez, and Podz there was a pretty good chance at least one wasn't going to graduate from Illinois before they attended their first practice. Podz was pretty clearly the least ready of the 3, and the least impactful.
So goodbye and good luck. If I were him I might give Thad Matta a call over at Butler.
Fact is, he was recruited with 2 extremely similar players. Those two similar players were from much bigger schools and ended up seeing a decent amount of PT as Fr. and having a real impact on a game or 2.
I think as soon as we brought in Goode, Melendez, and Podz there was a pretty good chance at least one wasn't going to graduate from Illinois before they attended their first practice. Podz was pretty clearly the least ready of the 3, and the least impactful.
So goodbye and good luck. If I were him I might give Thad Matta a call over at Butler.
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Seems like that would put you on some sort of watch list!
The extra year of Covid eligibility really was a double-edged sword. When older guys leave, younger guys play.
I am not too surprised even though he would have been a nice player to keep around as a developmental piece. Nothing but the best of luck to him, thank you for coming along and spending your first year of college in Champaign. Hope he does great in any game that is not in direct competition with Illinois.
Almost 1 year to the date when he committed. This is in some ways one of the negative externalities created by that COVID freebie, players as late as 2020 Recruiting Class will have the opportunity to opt for that extra year, whereas a guy like Podz will not, so a low 4 star like that can be facing logjams at High Majors his entire tenure. Not to say he won't find a nice to play, just that it's trickier. Obviously Illinois had multiple 2017 Recruiting Class guys still playing, next year there will be leftover 2018 guys around college basketball, etc. In some ways, the 2021 class got a bit of a raw deal.
Almost 1 year to the date when he committed. This is in some ways one of the negative externalities created by that COVID freebie, players as late as 2020 Recruiting Class will have the opportunity to opt for that extra year, whereas a guy like Podz will not, so a low 4 star like that can be facing logjams at High Majors his entire tenure. Not to say he won't find a nice to play, just that it's trickier. Obviously Illinois had multiple 2017 Recruiting Class guys still playing, next year there will be leftover 2018 guys around college basketball, etc. In some ways, the 2021 class got a bit of a raw deal.
illini80
- Forgottonia
So far the portal just taketh. We have some great prospects still in play, but 0 for 2 thus far with Murray and Williams. I’m sure we will be fine, but it’s a nerve wracking game spinning that roulette chamber.
I'm not here to judge your life choices, but if you're following college basketball player's high school girlfriends, you may want to take a moment to just contemplate things. I refuse to join Instagram, but I was under the impression it was strictly for THOTs.
sacraig
- The desert
When your program is in a place that you have the opportunity to win every year (as we seem to be right now), you don't need to throw freshmen into situations where they don't help you win just "for the future." Win now and make every game time decision about what makes winning more likely.
illini80
- Forgottonia
Really unfortunate for all the HS guys that followed. Lots of guys passed over that would have had a spot otherwise.
Creepy
illini80
- Forgottonia
Just waiting on that domino that has Kofi written on it!!
Y’all, TC is closer to the program than most of us. I’m sure he heard about this and wasn’t following the girl himself. Relax.
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