Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#1,002      
I-L-L
Fly Illini Fly! said:
What “days” does this exactly refer to? More specifically, where did that time ever exist where being a top 10 NBA draft pick DIDN’T lend you a boatload of money?

Remember, we’re talking about PROFESSIONAL earnings here. You’re getting drafted into the National Basketball Association (as a top 10 pick no less).

It cannot be overstated how much hard work and dedication is required to reach that feat. Literally: there’s 8 billion people in the world, there’s 450 active roster spots available. That fraction is literally 0.0000056%.

More realistically, the approximate number of boys playing high school basketball each year in the United States is 540,000. Only 60 per year get drafted into the NBA. That fraction is 1/9,000 or 0.0001%. (I do understand the rise in popularity internationally)

So, when I see ANY of our guys reaching that stratosphere — and rightfully so getting rewarded with that payday — I genuinely could not be more overjoyed with happiness. What makes it all the more special is to see those guys come back doing well.

The Keaton one is extra unique due to how unexpected and iconic it was.
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I appreciate your reply. However, you only picked out a couple of sentences of my post. My post was more about how money becoming the top priority for so many people in our world. And again, I believe in working hard and trying to earn really good money if that's what you want, but not just making money the most important thing in life. I 100% agree that when you're a lottery pick you go to the league. I just hate that it's about earning top dollar now in college basketball so everyone enters a portal and rarely do you bring back a core of guys that will play together for 3-4 years. I never agreed with paying college student-athletes b/c free schooling, food, gear, and other things/perks seemed like plenty to get that experience. But if they were going to pay them b/c I understood the argument that the universities and NCAA are making so much money off the young men then fine pay them equally and make it a smaller sum of money. Give starters $50k, bench scholarship players $25k, and walk-ons $10k (I'm just pulling these numbers out of thin air - or pay them off performance, whatever makes sense b/c again I wouldn't pay them). Again, I just hate that we've created a culture where money is the top priority. Like I posted to another response, there was a time that All-Star, Hall of Famer, MVP Andre Dawson gave the Cubs a blank contract and said they could fill in the amount. He knew his life was set with his earnings in the sport he loved. I guess those times/days would be the days I was referring to along with the days of not paying college student-athletes. I've met so many people who said their one regret was missing family time or time with friends over the years b/c they were chasing money. Now we're instilling this in young men 18+ years of age. It's sad for the sport and creating a culture where we don't get to see the loyalty and memories nearly as often. All of that said, I love our coaching staff and the caliber and character of the young men they're bringing to Illinois. ILL!
 
#1,004      
BWBW
"Longing for Cox". is an interesting turn of phrase.
 
#1,005      
Altuve27
I’m probably on an island on this one. Z is the one guy I am not sure I’d exactly be in a huge hurry to bring back.

The last two months he didn’t make a shot that wasn’t an alley-oop dunk. Didn’t rebound well at all, shot 28.3% for the season from 3, and his defensive impact as the season progressed disappeared.

To be frank, we saw exactly why he wasn’t getting minutes late last year at Arkansas.
 
#1,006      
Liebsrevenge

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#1,007      
hoopsfan47
RabidDawgClassic said:
Last year we lost Johnson, chased after Dix and now we’re longing for Cox. This board has — ahem — issues.
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There is always the excitement of getting a veteran player to commit. It immediately eases the discomfort of the unknown. But then the analysis begins of what he can and can't do and it all subsides back to wanting more.

Like most, I will look almost hourly for recruiting news, show high interest in finding out more about them, and then sit on my thumbs all summer awaiting the opportunity to see them all play and function together. My biggest interest will be to see what Ty can bring to the table. My biggest comfort is trusting BU to put a roster together that can compete for a B1G title and another shot at the FF.

Meanwhile, I hope BU and staff can be convinced to intitiate an offense that shows as much player motion and screens as UConn plays. That said, I fully understand that a team with positional size cannot chase around guys defensively or run such an offense for an entire game without paying a price of fatigue, which UConn eventually did. We obviously did not have that ability at any point in the season, but there is no rule that the you need to run a single offense all season long...or 3 or 4 for that matter as the situation demands. But high motion and off ball screens can have a big effect for periods of time.
 
#1,010      
mysterio2525
can we poach someone from Michigan? I'd love to get trey mckenney. we have money, let's try it. really angers me that morez went to Michigan. makes us look small, which we aren't. (doubt he goes in the portal but that's not the point)

Let's start swinging our weight around... and show Dusty may that he's not the only one who will take what they want if they see something worth spending on. we have been pretty great at talent evaluation.... now is the time to spend! obviously someone like Blackwell would work as well. it's open season... the menu is everyone
 
#1,013      
lstewart53x3
I-L-L said:
I appreciate your reply. However, you only picked out a couple of sentences of my post. My post was more about how money becoming the top priority for so many people in our world. And again, I believe in working hard and trying to earn really good money if that's what you want, but not just making money the most important thing in life. I 100% agree that when you're a lottery pick you go to the league. I just hate that it's about earning top dollar now in college basketball so everyone enters a portal and rarely do you bring back a core of guys that will play together for 3-4 years. I never agreed with paying college student-athletes b/c free schooling, food, gear, and other things/perks seemed like plenty to get that experience. But if they were going to pay them b/c I understood the argument that the universities and NCAA are making so much money off the young men then fine pay them equally and make it a smaller sum of money. Give starters $50k, bench scholarship players $25k, and walk-ons $10k (I'm just pulling these numbers out of thin air - or pay them off performance, whatever makes sense b/c again I wouldn't pay them). Again, I just hate that we've created a culture where money is the top priority. Like I posted to another response, there was a time that All-Star, Hall of Famer, MVP Andre Dawson gave the Cubs a blank contract and said they could fill in the amount. He knew his life was set with his earnings in the sport he loved. I guess those times/days would be the days I was referring to along with the days of not paying college student-athletes. I've met so many people who said their one regret was missing family time or time with friends over the years b/c they were chasing money. Now we're instilling this in young men 18+ years of age. It's sad for the sport and creating a culture where we don't get to see the loyalty and memories nearly as often. All of that said, I love our coaching staff and the caliber and character of the young men they're bringing to Illinois. ILL!
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Life gets a whole lot easier when you allow people to live their life by their values, instead of your own.
 
#1,014      
IllinitripleJ
can we poach someone from Michigan? I'd love to get trey mckenney. we have money, let's try it. really angers me that morez went to Michigan. makes us look small, which we aren't. (doubt he goes in the portal but that's not the point)

Let's start swinging our weight around... and show Dusty may that he's not the only one who will take what they want if they see something worth spending on. we have been pretty great at talent evaluation.... now is the time to spend! obviously someone like Blackwell would work as well. it's open season... the menu is everyone
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I agree with you. Michigan is bringing in top prep guards next year and also returning Cadeau. We can point to our success in developing Wagler. Go for it Brad! On a side note, I thought McKinney was overrated but he did come on strong late in the year.
 
#1,015      
From the cheap seats
The Illini basketball program was reported to have had an $18 million net profit for the 2024-25 season. That profit was generated primarily by the players. The coaches and administrators already were being well paid (in a free market) before NIL.
I’m glad the players are finally getting their share of the pie.
I also understand that NIL helped level the playing field for schools like the U of I.
 
#1,016      
Second place is 1st loser
I can definitely agree with what you're saying understanding this is the reality, but I think too often we just accept it and live with it (anything in life) versus trying to change it for the better. Our attitude is, well, I can't do anything to change it or it's an impossible task to change it. And yes, maybe one or two people can't change it, but if people fight for the right things and the good things it might be surprising what could be accomplished.
There was also a time when all-star Andre Dawson gave the Cubs a blank contract and said sign me for what you want to sign me for. He was an MVP. My point is the star college athletes are already making huge money. I completely understand their dreams of going to the League (which by the way I rarely watch any longer and college is headed that direction - and is partially there) and don't blame them for leaving, just like Keaton, I'd never blame him, it's his decision and I respect that and really like Keaton no matter what decision he makes (I know he's going to the NBA).
I was just pointing out that we've made this world all about making the most money possible the number 1 priority. Again, I'm cool with making good money, but I've met so many people in my line of work that have a lot of money and there number one regret was not spending more time with family and friends. Look at how many athletes, actors, music artists end up going down very dark paths or losing their lives. The money just ends up taking top priority for many and it's crazy when we're talking about millions. If you gave me $5M (I'm 44 by the way), I could make that last the rest of my life and live quite comfortably. I often wonder what the difference is between $100M and $500M. I just prefer the good old days (which to your point would be tough to get back to), when it wasn't about collecting the largest pay check when we're talking about millions of dollars. It does make me sad. I loved watching these college teams grow from freshmen through junior or senior year and watching 5-6 of them stay together for 2-3 years. So many of those teams stay in touch with one another and the fan bases absolutely love that! Again, your point is also well taken and today's reality. It's just sad. But I'm happy with our coaching staff and the quality and character of young men they are putting on the court. ILL
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The problem that we have, if you think that there needs to be reform, is that the courts have gotten involved, most notably the Supreme Court. There's no walking that back.

My concern is that this could be headed towards a players union. Could you imagine that one?

It's a mess and I'm not sure there is any remedy for it. Payouts only from true revenue sharing, then legitimate NIL(jerseys, autographs, etc) is the right answer, but the limitations won't ever be possible due to the courts.
 
#1,017      
jrichisamazing
I think folks need to prepare themselves for the likelihood that there will be an unexpected portal loss. Before we get too far in next year's lineup, let's see what happens.
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There almost always is.
 
#1,019      
FightinIllini30
I’ve kind of resolved myself to the fact that Andrej will likely leave or at least try out the pros first. Mirk I am hopeful on but I do not get attached per the hurt I’ve experienced in the past
 
#1,020      
jamarvelous31
He was our #2 scorer and the momentum changer in the first halves of our final 4 run. He's proven and earned it. And an extra offseason will only make him better.
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So just to read this back to you: Our highest paid player was at his best coming off the bench, providing solid offense in halves of games, will be 22 next year and did so by playing at or below his career averages.

It's not crazy to say he was the 4th best player on the team, ideally they pay him like the 4th best player if he brings it back. If he wants more I think you can find a similar 2 way wing.
 
#1,021      
BWA
Altuve27 said:
I’m probably on an island on this one. Z is the one guy I am not sure I’d exactly be in a huge hurry to bring back.

The last two months he didn’t make a shot that wasn’t an alley-oop dunk. Didn’t rebound well at all, shot 28.3% for the season from 3, and his defensive impact as the season progressed disappeared.

To be frank, we saw exactly why he wasn’t getting minutes late last year at Arkansas.
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1. If you don’t bring him back, you probably don’t keep Tomi.

2. I’d take him year 2 in the system over a LOT of options for backup 5.

3. Retention. Retention. Retention.
 
#1,022      
SescIllini
I mean, for me, the most surprised (shocked tbh) portal loss would be Mirk.....the least would be Andrej.
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I just don't know where Andrej gets a combination of playing time, great familiar teammates, winning, NIL. If he stays or leaves he still needs to get better at his 3's. At minimum 32%, but really needs to be above 35%. I don't know of any blue blood top 10 program he goes where he will have the opportunities Illinois will offer. The core group will give us a pre-season ranking of top 5 IMHO (or higher). Duke, UNC, Kansas, Arizona, Kentucky etc... will all have MCAA players and top portal additions coming in. He will be the new guy again, just not sure how many times you want to go through this.
 
#1,023      
BWA
tatupu70 said:
I think folks need to prepare themselves for the likelihood that there will be an unexpected portal loss. Before we get too far in next year's lineup, let's see what happens.
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For sure this is the norm. Seems like we have as good a chance as ever though to keep the band together this year.
 
#1,024      
SescIllini
Will have an update on roster outlook and a bunch of other information later tonight or tomorrow.

Illinois Basketball is in an amazing spot and has a ton of money to work with. Retention, add a couple of high level transfers, and we are looking at a top 5 team next year.
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Imagine some players who didn't get to play will move on and that NIL will be redistributed to next year's core and rotation players.
 
#1,025      
ImGonnaBeILL
I’m so invested in everyone on this team I honestly don’t want anyone to leave. I am hopeful of Petro and Lee being stars at Illinois. Probably some hysteria and wishful thinking…
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Is Petro, at 23, going to suddenly have a clue how to navigate screens on defense? Dude was completely lost. He'd wind up in Springfield trying to find his way around screens.

Nothing against the dude. Good looking creator that'll probably thrive elsewhere at a lower level where he's given complete freedom as the primary creator. But at least 3 inches smaller than listed, a zero on defense and a non-asset playing off ball. He's simply not going to get the keys at Illinois. All the best to him.

He's already wasted 1 year of college eligibility. I'm sure he's not looking to do that for a 2nd. Go move down, rehab value, come back up to a payday for senior season like DGL. His value is so low right now that it wouldn't be a surprise if he just went back overseas.

Lee had opportunity with KB out. He did nothing. If the staff saw any potential, he'd have saw time. He'll get portaled/recruited over this off-season. If he wants significant PT, he'd be best to move on now IMO. And the staff will be frank and tell him that. Maybe he'll thrive in another setting.
 
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