wonder if FLA is a potential spot for him now that they're out on Claude.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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We need to be careful to not rely on overseas/international players. We're going to get a good gauge on how their play translates to the college game and I think the predominant concern is on the defensive end.
TYPICALLY, Euros, right or wrong, have been put in the "soft" category and that won't play in the Big 10. Also, right or wrong, they're put in the not overly athletic basket, especially with the bigs. When we played teams with a ton of athleticism, especially in the paint, the outcomes were very, very poor. No need to rehash details, but we can all point to more than a handful of games where it just wasn't good.
So, we're pointing out this 7'1" center and we have two of them this year, both from overseas. Both are skilled, both are nifty, but....Z didn't see the floor because of some issues and Tomi wasn't much of a presence on one side of the floor. To be fair and of significant note, he was I'll and it took time to get himself back into playing shape. Not sure he ever made it all of the way back, but what we saw versus Maryland and Kentucky was concerning.
I bring all of that up because this year will be the ultimate litmus test. There's going to be no question on the thought process after this year.
I, personally, would have made above the rim, bouncy, athleticism a priority, but we took the Euro route again. I'm extremely interested to find out how this goes. It's really a fascinating difference in philosophies between what we do versus what others do.
I would hold off on any more overseas prospects until we see what happens this year.
Because if you're paying too much for tuition, you don't have money to add extras to your cottage cheese.
You must be new here.
splitter
- and not Nebraska
Don't think Dan could fit the name of the cottage cheese tuition medium rare neighbor ladies hand wringing etc thread across the top of the column.
Just hold on loyally until something else happens.
This kid is going to earn himself hundreds of millions of $$. He's tall and athletic. He reminds me of early KG videos.
But you’re cool with the great hotdog debate of 2025? For the record, I like mine with mustard, diced raw onion and cucumber (not pickled) and sprinkle of celery salt. Try it! Chef’s kiss. 
At first glance, I thought the kid was 7 ft 17 tall.
That's tall.
1m4tr
Cliffmas
Attachments
I agree. I think if you have access to a reserve bag for Riley if he decides to return then you absolutely throw that at Watkins if/when Riley fully commits to the draft.
Add Watkins to the team and you have a roster deserving of a preseason number 1 ranking(it's Illinois so they wouldn't get it but they would be that talented).
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
I didn't see anybody answer this, so I will. You have to remember he's facing Illinois high school players. The state collectively produces very little talent.
Joel Goodson
- it's all ball bearings, nowadays
interesting take
Lol what? The Chicago area has consistently produced some of the best talent in the country. Arguably maybe the best basketball recruiting hotbed in the country.
This kid isn't getting a ton of looks because he's a 5'10 guard that's a D2 caliber player.
This isn't 20 years ago. Look at 247's recruit rankings for example. The state produced two 4-stars this year and last year. Next year there's only one 4-star. You have to go back to 2021 just to see the state produce a 5-star.
billybaroo
- Pebble Beach, CA
I’d venture to guess that what you’re seeing is largely due to some of the state’s top players transferring to prep schools in other states.
I'd argue that if a noticeable amount of our state's best middle schoolers are leaving the state to get prepared and developed for D1 basketball, that indicates our state's failure at talent development and they're no longer in-state recruits.
Meanwhile tiny Monteverde Florida is overflowing with them....
No doubt, especially kids from Public League schools. They should be looking to move to a prep school and get a better education in both academics and hoops. Can never fault such prospects for that...but one would still wonder why the Illini are not getting those guys back into the fold. Methinks Boswell is pretty happy with his move back even if his parents still live out-of-state now. IIRC, BU has made it a priority to seek out kids in the portal who grew up in Illinois and chose to play elsewhere.
That's just because all the top recruits leave the state to go to prep schools.
Matas Buzelis was in the conversation for being the top recruit in the country 2 years ago but he was listed as being from Kansas because he went to a prep school there.
That's why you see all these top recruits coming out of Arizona, Florida, etc.
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