I was at my son's 5th grade AAU tourney this Fall and all eyes were on the next court where this guy was playing. His hair probably adds another 4 inches. He looked pretty good, very skinny but a plus athlete. Had a few put-back dunks that resembled me on my kids' nerf hoop. But overall really raw...did not put the ball on the floor and didn't appear to have any post moves. He sailed in for alley-oops and crashed the boards well, but was easily boxed out and often out of position. It also appeared to be kind of a thrown-together AAU team so a lack of chemistry might have played into it. Heck, anytime a guy's 7'2" and athletic in our own backyard, he's worth offering.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (November-December 2016)
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I was at my son's 5th grade AAU tourney this Fall and all eyes were on the next court where this guy was playing. His hair probably adds another 4 inches. He looked pretty good, very skinny but a plus athlete. Had a few put-back dunks that resembled me on my kids' nerf hoop. But overall really raw...did not put the ball on the floor and didn't appear to have any post moves. He sailed in for alley-oops and crashed the boards well, but was easily boxed out and often out of position. It also appeared to be kind of a thrown-together AAU team so a lack of chemistry might have played into it. Heck, anytime a guy's 7'2" and athletic in our own backyard, he's worth offering.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Still no news on Da'Monte?
Possibly later today.
ILL in IA
- Iowa City
I love how youtube knows that any Illinois basketball video needs to be followed up with highlights from the comeback against Arizona.
Just watched a youtube video of Eddie Johnson scoring 43 second half points for the Suns against the Clippers. He could play a bit. He only had 2 in the first half so he ended up with 45.
Scoring machine
Eddie was as smooth as they come. A joy to watch.
He used to come to IMPE to play some pick up games off season when he was with the Suns....class act.
Have you guys seen this kid?!? 7 ft 7.
http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/pa...-freshman-7-foot-7?ex_cid=espnfb&sf45585302=1
http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/pa...-freshman-7-foot-7?ex_cid=espnfb&sf45585302=1
http://thecube.com/event/696184
Here's a chance to watch Edwardsville and Mark Smith vs Collinsville
Here's a chance to watch Edwardsville and Mark Smith vs Collinsville
ILLINIFAN2
- Des Moines, IA
Give that kid a few hundred double cheeseburgers
Dan
Admin
Breaking: Da'Monte Williams is out for the season with a torn ACL. #pjspreps #Illini
https://twitter.com/Sports_Aaron/status/807426136623947776
https://twitter.com/Sports_Aaron/status/807426136623947776
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
[emoji33] No bueno. Really hope he fully recovers. Really thought he was gonna blow up this HS season. Feel bad for him.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
What a damn shame. Really feel for the kid.
Really sorry to hear that news, had a hunch the longer it was kept from the public it wasn't going to be good. Hope Da'Monte heals quickly and will come back stronger than ever. Get well soon.
Awful news for any kid looking forward to their senior year in high school. What are the rules/restrictions, etc. on his access to U of I resources in this situation? In other words, rehab facilities, training personnel, and the like. Having TA as a mentor could be helpful.
BlindLoyalty
- FartNoiseMotivation
Hope the surgery and rehab goes well. Crandall Head missed his SR season with a ACL tear. IIRC, Head needed two surgeries to repair the damage, because the first didn't go we'll.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...5/yankuba-sima-transferring-st-john-red-storm
You wonder if he might be a fit, especially if he enrolls soon and becomes eligible for the conference season next year.
You wonder if he might be a fit, especially if he enrolls soon and becomes eligible for the conference season next year.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
Know zilch about him, beyond his stats, but I'd take him. Problem is, would he take us? 15-18 mpg ceiling. Very, very doubtful. He'll have a lot of options.
On the 247Sports site it had him as the #197 recruit and top 22 center coming out of high school. SJU beat Louisville and Maryland for his services. It looks like he averaged 7 points last year and 7 points this year, so I'm sure he was frustrated by his development and the team overall. SJU is very guard oriented this year, they have Marcus Lovett and a Lovett clone as the other PG. The team is pretty bad as well, reminds me of a slightly better coached more talented DePaul.
Does Illinois need or want him? I would say yes. He is a talented 6-11 shot blocker with perimeter skills. I think he looks again at Louisville but also Kentucky and Kansas. He is African via Spain, so playing internationally for pay is an option for him. I don't see playing more than one year in college if ever again. So I doubt he lands at Illinois, especially since we have Tilmon. But he is worth the effort, give both him and Tilmon 20-25 minutes at PF/C.
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