I'm guessing very few would know who he is, yes. These are kids, they're playing hoops, talking with friends on social media, playing Xbox, etc. Not poring over NBA history.
And jeez, I'm not trying to "deny the program's success and clout", give me a break. I'm trying to explain to your foggy old brain that a top bball recruit doesn't view it the way you do.
"East Coast bias"? WTF?
I agree, so just to further your point Kareem's last year in the NBA was 1989, don't we say the same thing about recruits remembering the 89 fighting Illini team? Doesn't hurt, just not the same impact as having a team in the final four last year.