Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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Dan

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Welcome to the Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread :illinois:

2024 Illini Recruiting
Morez Johnson (2024 PF) committed on November 4th, 2021.
 
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Bom Dia Hello GIF
 
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Whoever came after Morez at the end of the last thread, he’s a big man. If the st Rita PG’s and other guards/wings can’t get him the ball, that’s not Morez’s fault. But it certainly would be The fault of Nojus. You expect Morez to bring the ball up?
 
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Whoever came after Morez at the end of the last thread, he’s a big man. If the st Rita PG’s and other guards/wings can’t get him the ball, that’s not Morez’s fault. But it certainly would be The fault of Nojus. You expect Morez to bring the ball up?
?? No one came after Morez.
 
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On the comments on Nojus and KJ in last thread …

As someone who has known KJ since he was like 5 … I’m a little biased … But now that he’s putting up the numbers I always knew he was capable of, I have to say … These HM coaches infuriate me … All they ever talk about is freaking shooting … We need shooting … Blah, Blah, Blah … Kid goes out and shoots 40% from 3 and they just kick the tires still … I don’t understand it … He’s a full qualifier as well … Grades aren’t an issue … If he can shoot that well consistently … He can be on my roster any day … But they’ll let him go mid major … Then get him as an upper classmen I’m sure …

Sean Miller likes KJ a lot … Brad likes him … Fran likes him … Izzo likes him … But no one likes enough to offer yet …

As for Nojus … For many reasons … I’m glad we backed off … TJ can have him … And if he’s the next Podz then so be it … But I stand by the decision to back off …
 
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?? No one came after Morez.
With all due respect, this is what FL_8905 posted. It could be interpreted as coming after MJ:
"That's not a accurate way to describe what happened at St. Rita. Bad coaching and no point guard. (Why isn't the narrative that Morez Johnson, the best player, couldn't lead the team to more wins with a supporting cast of DI prospects?)"
 
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On the comments on Nojus and KJ in last thread …

As someone who has known KJ since he was like 5 … I’m a little biased … But now that he’s putting up the numbers I always knew he was capable of, I have to say … These HM coaches infuriate me … All they ever talk about is freaking shooting … We need shooting … Blah, Blah, Blah … Kid goes out and shoots 40% from 3 and they just kick the tires still … I don’t understand it … He’s a full qualifier as well … Grades aren’t an issue … If he can shoot that well consistently … He can be on my roster any day … But they’ll let him go mid major … Then get him as an upper classmen I’m sure …

Sean Miller likes KJ a lot … Brad likes him … Fran likes him … Izzo likes him … But no one likes enough to offer yet …

As for Nojus … For many reasons … I’m glad we backed off … TJ can have him … And if he’s the next Podz then so be it … But I stand by the decision to back off …
Wonder if coaches are saying why risk it in today's basketball? If he performs well at a mid-major, I'll go after him in the transfer portal the following year when he leaves.

I for one don't put too much weight in AAU stats. Yes they're playing a lot of great talent, but the style of play is so wide open and helter skelter, you just won't see the quality of looks you will get in AAU at the high school or certainly not college level. That said, it's better to be a high performer in AAU than not.
 
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On the comments on Nojus and KJ in last thread …

As someone who has known KJ since he was like 5 … I’m a little biased … But now that he’s putting up the numbers I always knew he was capable of, I have to say … These HM coaches infuriate me … All they ever talk about is freaking shooting … We need shooting … Blah, Blah, Blah … Kid goes out and shoots 40% from 3 and they just kick the tires still … I don’t understand it … He’s a full qualifier as well … Grades aren’t an issue … If he can shoot that well consistently … He can be on my roster any day … But they’ll let him go mid major … Then get him as an upper classmen I’m sure …

Sean Miller likes KJ a lot … Brad likes him … Fran likes him … Izzo likes him … But no one likes enough to offer yet …

As for Nojus … For many reasons … I’m glad we backed off … TJ can have him … And if he’s the next Podz then so be it … But I stand by the decision to back off …
And this is a big part of why there are upsets in March. Mid-majors with great shooters can get hot against P5 school's with average shooters who go cold.
 
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On the comments on Nojus and KJ in last thread …

As someone who has known KJ since he was like 5 … I’m a little biased … But now that he’s putting up the numbers I always knew he was capable of, I have to say … These HM coaches infuriate me … All they ever talk about is freaking shooting … We need shooting … Blah, Blah, Blah … Kid goes out and shoots 40% from 3 and they just kick the tires still … I don’t understand it … He’s a full qualifier as well … Grades aren’t an issue … If he can shoot that well consistently … He can be on my roster any day … But they’ll let him go mid major … Then get him as an upper classmen I’m sure …

Sean Miller likes KJ a lot … Brad likes him … Fran likes him … Izzo likes him … But no one likes enough to offer yet …

As for Nojus … For many reasons … I’m glad we backed off … TJ can have him … And if he’s the next Podz then so be it … But I stand by the decision to back off …
For most of the EYBL and Peach Jam this spring and summer, Nojus was the clear #2 player. Lately, though, KJ"s been out- playing him, especially that last game.
 
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Originally From Springfield, IL. Went to Southeast
Insiders, think we’ll give this one a look? I’ve never watched him, but it sure seems like a PG from Springfield who scores efficiently, averages 5.4 assists, was the DPOY of his conference and doesn’t Jack it up from deep (34.3% on 1.1 attempts per game) might be a good fit.

Led the conference in steals, assists and assist-turnover ratio.

Edit: worth noting he’s coming off a knee injury, but seems like someone who passes well, scores efficiently and defends at a high level would sure be worth taking a shot on.. word is his knee should be 100% by December
 
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Insiders, think we’ll give this one a look? I’ve never watched him, but it sure seems like a PG from Springfield who scores efficiently, averages 5.4 assists, was the DPOY of his conference and doesn’t Jack it up from deep (34.3% on 1.1 attempts per game) might be a good fit.

Led the conference in steals, assists and assist-turnover ratio.

Edit: worth noting he’s coming off a knee injury, but seems like someone who passes well, scores efficiently and defends at a high level would sure be worth taking a shot on.. word is his knee should be 100% by December
I remember the last player we passed on from Springfield; believe he's still in the League.
 
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On the comments on Nojus and KJ in last thread …

As someone who has known KJ since he was like 5 … I’m a little biased … But now that he’s putting up the numbers I always knew he was capable of, I have to say … These HM coaches infuriate me … All they ever talk about is freaking shooting … We need shooting … Blah, Blah, Blah … Kid goes out and shoots 40% from 3 and they just kick the tires still … I don’t understand it … He’s a full qualifier as well … Grades aren’t an issue … If he can shoot that well consistently … He can be on my roster any day … But they’ll let him go mid major … Then get him as an upper classmen I’m sure …

Sean Miller likes KJ a lot … Brad likes him … Fran likes him … Izzo likes him … But no one likes enough to offer yet …

As for Nojus … For many reasons … I’m glad we backed off … TJ can have him … And if he’s the next Podz then so be it … But I stand by the decision to back off …
always appreciate your thoughts and feedback Thanks

Thoughts on Certa (as a shooter) and playing in a P5 conference?
 
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Insiders, think we’ll give this one a look? I’ve never watched him, but it sure seems like a PG from Springfield who scores efficiently, averages 5.4 assists, was the DPOY of his conference and doesn’t Jack it up from deep (34.3% on 1.1 attempts per game) might be a good fit.

Led the conference in steals, assists and assist-turnover ratio.

Edit: worth noting he’s coming off a knee injury, but seems like someone who passes well, scores efficiently and defends at a high level would sure be worth taking a shot on.. word is his knee should be 100% by December
Watched a bit of film. He’s a good ball-handler who’s patient and poised, sees the floor well. Crafty finisher who’s stronger than he looks — absorbs contact well despite his 170-pound frame.

Certainly question how he’ll adapt to the HM level, but worth a shot considering our current questions at the PG position. A pass-first, defensive-minded PG with a good handle who’s from Illinois just appearing in the portal in July seems like a major blessing.
 
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I remember the last player we passed on from Springfield; believe he's still in the League.
we didn't pass on Iggy. We chose McBride too soon. They didn't get along and wouldn't be going to the same school. McBride was the #1 player in his class 8th grade or Fr year. Something like that. Ended up in the 30s I believe.
 
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With all due respect, this is what FL_8905 posted. It could be interpreted as coming after MJ:
"That's not a accurate way to describe what happened at St. Rita. Bad coaching and no point guard. (Why isn't the narrative that Morez Johnson, the best player, couldn't lead the team to more wins with a supporting cast of DI prospects?)"
Because he can't play everyone's man on defense and he damn sure can't pass the ball to himself!!
 
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we didn't pass on Iggy. We chose McBride too soon. They didn't get along and wouldn't be going to the same school. McBride was the #1 player in his class 8th grade or Fr year. Something like that. Ended up in the 30s I believe.
Iggy performed terribly every time Self was in the building watching during recruitment and had trepidations. Iggy took Arkansas offer but then Nolan left. Self again went to talk to Iggy and said that he “wasn’t going to take no for an answer “ but the damage was already done
 
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