Typically, if you just look up an international player's name, it will take you to the FIBA site or something like it. There is usually a ranking of players right on the player's page. Eurobasket is the page I have used before as well.I am surprised no recruiting site has taken up the effort to include the international players in their rankings. Unless I just don't know how to find it!
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
- Status
It's weird that they can regrade transfers yet grading international players is beyond them.I am surprised no recruiting site has taken up the effort to include the international players in their rankings. Unless I just don't know how to find it
Yes, it's the "he's not that good anyway" form of self soothing. A month ago, there are some that had him as a huge part of our 2025-2026 Final Four run.
We're Elite now--no more sulking.
Agreed. Their is obviously no perfect science to it. You see highly ranked players flop all the time and lowly ranked players perform well. Just goes to show that each coach and system are different and a single player can perform differently based on those aspects.
Not to be sarcastic, but I would rather to just be told. I can watch BB and recognize the different talent levels. But, I don't know how a freshman guard can change THIS existing 2024 roster into a top 5? There are a lot of very knowledgeble BB people on this site and thought I would ask.
foby
- Bonnaroo Land
The word "preseason" is very important here. The roster is already Top 5 caliber, however the "experts" who vote in the polls look for several key indicators when voting and having another highly ranked freshman on our team would "impress the judges" enough to move us into preseason Top 5 territory.
It's because of the metric system
I’ll give it a shot- it’s his elite scoring ability that would elevate this years team- he lead team USA with 42% from three in Argentina- he has a crafty game with floaters, runners and is very good at finishing at the rim at 6’4 with a 6’9 wingspan. He plays PG for his HS team but played off ball for team USA and was very comfortable in that role
Adding that kind of offensive firepower to Riley and KJ - with Hummer and Boswell as good shooters who can play-make some themselves makes it an extremely dynamic offense
Plus just adding another top 10 recruit from a pure talent standpoint will raise the bar and likely preseason rankings on that alone - I mean, we would have four 5 star kids on the team if you count KJ
Are we growing and maturing as a board?
Fan Since '70
- OBS, Florida
No need to knock Fears. Fears is a very good player and does have good form on all 3 levels of scoring. Fears needs hours in the gym daily shooting 3-pointers and needs lateral movement exercises and willingness to guard opponents tenaciously like a 2nd skin. But that is true of most young recruits and players new to a defensive minded team and coaching. Fears best route to NBA is to develop and hone his point guard skills, his outside shot. and show he can guard. This 24-25 Illini team has a wealth of offensive weapons and I believe offense will not be an issue in any game, even if a player or several are off. I am looking forward to seeing them play as a cohesive unit and use their athletic ability and depth to play intense defense. If they do that, they will surely go far.
I think the difference is that previously, when a player committed to school, they were completely at the whim of that coaching staff, unless they chose to sit out a year. Not playing? Not having fun? Homesick? You can stay or you can be penalized with not being allowed to play.
This is a completely free market on both sides. Players come and go as they please. Coaches should be planning accordingly, which means stockpiling as much talent as you can to prepare for the inevitable attrition.
I disagree since I completely believe how hyped you are.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
No one here is knocking Fears as a 25 recruit. From what I’ve read, we’d all love to have him in that class.
What people are saying is, for Fears to be a productive player and/or star his game and his body likely need an extra year of development.
And based on his current game, he’s likely not worth the investment of resources (minutes / NIL) in 2024 that Kasparas or Riley are worth who are more ready to compete right away.
Beyond that, based on the way Brad & co are recruiting, we aren’t overly concerned about the loss because we’ll likely land someone as good if not better through the high school ranks or the transfer portal.
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
Jasper Johnson showed me that he is head and shoulders better than Mr. Fears as when JJ came into the U18 games he provided an instant spark to the team with his shooting skill and he was an absolute stud at attacking the rim for dunks and or layups......
he also seemed to enjoy playing d........Mr. Fears playing D consisted of getting beat on the dribble and trying to steal the ball as the opponent drove by him.......It worked some of the time but trying to do that at a HM competition level would mean him getting to ride the bench for long periods of time.......
I would take JJ over JF every day of the week and twice on Sunday's.....There is a reason why JJ got double the minutes in the U18 over JF...........JF would be better served with another year in HS but the lure of the $$$$$$ seems to be his and his family's main objective........
Sometimes you can cut off your nose to spite your face for the almighty NIL bag of bucks.....I hope it works out for JF , but with his slight frame I think this might explode his plan of being a 1 and done.......Now , if he was 7' and had a wingspan of 7'2" I would maybe have a different opinion.........
As always this is JMHO.................................
he also seemed to enjoy playing d........Mr. Fears playing D consisted of getting beat on the dribble and trying to steal the ball as the opponent drove by him.......It worked some of the time but trying to do that at a HM competition level would mean him getting to ride the bench for long periods of time.......
I would take JJ over JF every day of the week and twice on Sunday's.....There is a reason why JJ got double the minutes in the U18 over JF...........JF would be better served with another year in HS but the lure of the $$$$$$ seems to be his and his family's main objective........
Sometimes you can cut off your nose to spite your face for the almighty NIL bag of bucks.....I hope it works out for JF , but with his slight frame I think this might explode his plan of being a 1 and done.......Now , if he was 7' and had a wingspan of 7'2" I would maybe have a different opinion.........
As always this is JMHO.................................
Zorak
- Naperville
Who is WR
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
Check back at the EOW............
Will Riley
Duh, everyone knows that’s the same thing via the transitive property.Groce be all like...
(5) 3= (3) 5
And it’s HERBIE Hancock.
Things change and recruiting is fluid. We recruited Fears for 2025 with the thought being that he would be much more seasoned and somewhat bigger. He is a 4 star at this point in time. If he is developed right, next year he could be really really good. He needs to work on his shooting. We did not lose out on him. It seems he is choosing to reclass for the money. If that is the case, I wish him the best. I am sure that he will catch on with someone. Maybe he comes here next year anyway. Who knows these days?
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
chef's kiss
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
wide receiver
Fears is a tough loss, but you can't pass up 100s of thousands of dollars. I see that the spin has ready been pushed out there, but I think this time it is valid. He's a great player, but is going to struggle this year as an undersized PG when we really don't need that role to be filled.
Even still, we have so many young guys coming in, who knows what our roster will look next year at this time. Maybe KJ, WR, and KB are all drafted and we start from scratch.
Either way, he wanted to get paid, and we didn't want to pay him for what he'd provide to us at this time. Welcome to the free market.
Even still, we have so many young guys coming in, who knows what our roster will look next year at this time. Maybe KJ, WR, and KB are all drafted and we start from scratch.
Either way, he wanted to get paid, and we didn't want to pay him for what he'd provide to us at this time. Welcome to the free market.
- Status