I'm hearing that far off rumble again. A distant storm, maybe a quake.
Keeps getting louder.
Illini recruiting momentum.
Keeps getting louder.
Illini recruiting momentum.
I realize I'm not the only one saying this, but...
Just because Illinois gets one 5-star and there are rumors that the top player in IL is also going to commit doesn't mean we are somehow in a position to pick and choose and treat the kids with whom the coaches have developed relationships poorly.
Frazier is a PG who is hitting his stride at the right time. We DON'T pass on him if he wants to come.
Pickett is a talented scorer who committed to Illinois when Illinois was about as attractive as a port-a-potty. You don't insult him just because you think the flashy recruits *might* commit instead.
Tc brings good things to this board. I've goofed on here plenty myself. But yes picketts a goodie
I think you can add one more to your list:
- Get in on a recruit early (before he blows up). Tilmon said that Groce believing in him and the Illini recruiting him since he was in 8th grade was a big reason why he committed. If Goodwin commits as well, it probably helped that we were the first P5 school to offer. With Frazier, we were in on him early as well and now he is starting to show everyone just how good he is.
Basically, getting in on a recruit early and building a long standing relationship with that recruit can be the reason why a recruit chooses us over one of the blue bloods.
Pickett has a ton of upside. He has to be bigger than 6'3?? No doubts that the roster is sick with talent, and Pickett will have work to do crack the rotation early.
I realize I'm not the only one saying this, but...
Just because Illinois gets one 5-star and there are rumors that the top player in IL is also going to commit doesn't mean we are somehow in a position to pick and choose and treat the kids with whom the coaches have developed relationships poorly.
Frazier is a PG who is hitting his stride at the right time. We DON'T pass on him if he wants to come.
Pickett is a talented scorer who committed to Illinois when Illinois was about as attractive as a port-a-potty. You don't insult him just because you think the flashy recruits *might* commit instead.
Pickett is a prospect similar to AJ in my mind. Both have great size for a 2, good scorers, need some development. But if they work hard, they've got all the tools to become stars as upperclassmen.
Pickett is a prospect similar to AJ in my mind. Both have great size for a 2, good scorers, need some development. But if they work hard, they've got all the tools to become stars as upperclassmen.
Pickett has a ton of upside. He has to be bigger than 6'3?? No doubts that the roster is sick with talent, and Pickett will have work to do crack the rotation early.
Gray shows Draymond-esque traits
Raiquan Gray has emerged as priority prospect for high-major programs all over the country this travel season with the Florida Vipers.
“I took an official visit to Baylor and an unofficial visit to Ole Miss already,” Gray said. “I plan on visiting Florida State and Memphis soon, probably in the next month or so.”
https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/fab-48-evaluations-and-notes-on-top-prospects
Size-wise, based on that photo, Pickett is a 3/4. But of the video I've seen, he plays more like a 2.
Gray shows Draymond-esque traits
Raiquan Gray has emerged as priority prospect for high-major programs all over the country this travel season with the Florida Vipers.
The 6-foot-7, 240-pound standout looks the part of a power forward with his size, but his versatility allows him to really play all over the court, similar to Warriors' star Draymond Green. Gray has a smooth jump shot and can put the ball on the floor and make plays for others. If he draws a smaller defender, he’s comfortable playing on the block with his back to the basket too.
Gray rattled off a list that includes Pittsburgh, Baylor, West Virginia, Illinois, Oklahoma State, Florida, Florida State, Auburn, Memphis, Maryland, SMU, UConn and Texas. He’s already taken two visits and hopes to take two more in the near future as he moves closer to a decision.
“I took an official visit to Baylor and an unofficial visit to Ole Miss already,” Gray said. “I plan on visiting Florida State and Memphis soon, probably in the next month or so.”
https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/fab-48-evaluations-and-notes-on-top-prospects
Piper on the radio today.. Thinks Goodwin will likely take 2 or 3 visits. Illinois, Northwestern, and maybe Mizzou.
I know this won't happen...but if we build up all this recruiting momentum then Goodwin decides to go to Northwestern, I would officially lose it.
The kid can play. I've seen him several times. He was not bait. They wanted him. It is insulting to the kid to say he was taken to lure others. He was taken on his on merit.
I've already said, if that happens, I'm staying away from here for at least a week, maybe 2. So many people on here already have him in O&B. When Henricksen says NW is in a better place than anybody would have guessed, I take notice. Still not expecting him to choose them but I wouldn't be totally shocked.
Good grief. He was 1st team all state as a junior and averaged 23(?) ppg in the St. Louis metro area and still has another 10+ months before he arrives on campus.
Forget that they're from the same HS, Pickett reminds me a lot of Malcolm Hill at that same age. Neither player wows you from an athletic or physical standpoint, but they produce in a big way. And Hill really struggled as a freshman; that entire class did. (Amazingly, Jaylon Tate was the only guy that was able to contribute semi-consistently early on.) Pickett will need time to adjust to the college game, no doubt, but he and the team are in a good position where he can take some bumps, figure out where he stacks up to that level of competition, and work on his development without the added pressure of being relied upon to be a major contributor from day 1. He want's to be an Illini; there's no guarantee that opportunity would still be there after a year of prep school so he jumped on it at the first chance. (Good for him, good for us.)