This is the Apple News thread with the Tribune
Illinois' new coaching staff was attempting to make a splash by bringing in the state's last two Mr. Basketball winners at the same time.
The 2016 honoree, Morgan Park's Charlie Moore, is headed to Kansas instead.
Coming off a freshman season at California in which he averaged 12.2 points and started every game, the 5-foot-11 Moore on Friday announced his intention to transfer to Kansas. Illinois, a finalist for Moore before John Groce's final season as coach, was among several schools wooing him the second time around.
Moore will have to sit out next season and will have three years of eligibility for the Jayhawks.
His announcement was the latest disappointment for new Illinois coach Brad Underwood, who lost a pair of Groce recruits — five-star big man Jeremiah Tilmon from East St. Louis and high-scoring wing Javon Pickett from Belleville East — in recent weeks.
But the Illini appear to be in play for the state's reigning Mr. Basketball, Edwardsville guard Mark Smith.
Smith took an unofficial visit to Illinois on Thursday and reportedly will take an official visit to Ohio State this weekend. Michigan State and Kentucky also have recruited Smith in recent weeks, so Underwood would have to beat out some of the biggest coaching names in college basketball — something his predecessor consistently struggled to do.
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune
