Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (November-December 2016)

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#2,401      

Paigncake

P
Paigncake
Illinijose said:
Mark Smith reminds me of an Andre Miller (Utah, NBA PG) and Demitri McCamey type of PG. I think he is closer to 6'3 than 6'5, but bottom line he has good college size for both PG or SG. In the game against Athloff, he played PG for his team and drove the ball most of the time. Didn't shoot much, but has a nice touch from FT and 3 pt range. Do we offer? Unless we are so solid with a top tier 2018 PG, I say we offer. Kid plays smart and like others have mention may have more of a complete game than other recruits.

Goodwin IMHO doesn't appear to be a PG in any sense of the word right now, doesn't have PG instincts or handles. Like others have mentioned let them settle it out at Ubben. Matching a PG like Smith with a Combo guard like Damonte could be fun, both have good size and athleticism. Add another PG like Frazier or TJL and we no longer have a squad that can be pressed and can have dribbling/assist/shooting as a strength.
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Damonte and Smith are both a couple guys that won't be pushed around and are physical guards not scared to take it to the hoop.. Those 2 and Frazier down the road would be a scary scary combo.

Averaging 10 assists a game.. If he's not a PG at the next level he's at worst a combo with solid court vision and the ability to throw the ball down and shoot from deep. One of the best highlight videos I've seen in awhile. I wish Illinois would lock him up.
 
#2,402      

Hooping34

H
Hooping34
Well from sources close to Mark Smith..He's interested in the best fit for him..Smith's camp likes The Illini but they think if D. Williams is healthy & a go for next season is a talented Smith going to be standing outside the Big 10 Illini party ...trying to get in....

Smith is a true 6'4 1/2 & a born PG with an extensive ability to play the 2 or 3 but is most effective at the 1.....

DePaul (offered), Northwestern, Pittsburgh & K-State have all been out to see Smith within the last 2wks...
 
#2,403      

Paigncake

P
Paigncake
Hooping34 said:
Well from sources close to Mark Smith..He's interested in the best fit for him..Smith's camp likes The Illini but they think if D. Williams is healthy & a go for next season is a talented Smith going to be standing outside the Big 10 Illini party ...trying to get in....

Smith is a true 6'4 1/2 & a born PG with an extensive ability to play the 2 or 3 but is most effective at the 1.....

DePaul (offered), Northwestern, Pittsburgh & K-State have all been out to see Smith within the last 2wks...
Click to expand...

I'm not going to lie. If Weber lands this kid and he turns out to be a stud I would lose my sanity.
 
#2,404      

Hooping34

H
Hooping34
Illinijose said:
Mark Smith reminds me of an Andre Miller (Utah, NBA PG) and Demitri McCamey type of PG. I think he is closer to 6'3 than 6'5, but bottom line he has good college size for both PG or SG. In the game against Athloff, he played PG for his team and drove the ball most of the time. Didn't shoot much, but has a nice touch from FT and 3 pt range. Do we offer? Unless we are so solid with a top tier 2018 PG, I say we offer. Kid plays smart and like others have mention may have more of a complete game than other recruits.

Goodwin IMHO doesn't appear to be a PG in any sense of the word right now, doesn't have PG instincts or handles. Like others have mentioned let them settle it out at Ubben. Matching a PG like Smith with a Combo guard like Damonte could be fun, both have good size and athleticism. Add another PG like Frazier or TJL and we no longer have a squad that can be pressed and can have dribbling/assist/shooting as a strength.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry Andre Miller is & always has been legit but Smith is a much better shooter from deep.

I think Mark Smith is a replica or a 2017 version of Deron Williiams just as versatile, can shoot it, handle it, big guard body, athletic ... Smith maybe a better passer ......
 
#2,405      

ballislife17

ballislife17
ballislife17
Would we be big ten favorites with a lineup of Evans-Abrams-Hill-Black-Thorne be Big Ten favorites? :eek:

All this 2015 PG talk has me imagining that lineup and I can't get over it
 
#2,406      

Illinijose

I
Illinijose
Did we have too many guards when we landed Gill, Bardo, and L Smith in the same class? Do we really want to face Smith wearing a Badger or boilermaker uniform.
 
#2,407      

ballislife17

ballislife17
ballislife17
Hooping34 said:
I'm sorry Andre Miller is & always has been legit but Smith is a much better shooter from deep.

I think Mark Smith is a replica or a 2017 version of Deron Williiams just as versatile, can shoot it, handle it, big guard body, athletic ... Smith maybe a better passer ......
Click to expand...

LOL I love how we always compare players to super successful guy, but with one way the recruit/illini is better

ie Leron is like Draymond green but a better rebounder
Smith is like deron williams but a better passer
Tate is like a more athletic version of chris paul

You guys crack me up
 
#2,408      

combes

C
combes
Hooping34 said:
Well from sources close to Mark Smith..He's interested in the best fit for him..Smith's camp likes The Illini but they think if D. Williams is healthy & a go for next season is a talented Smith going to be standing outside the Big 10 Illini party ...trying to get in....

Smith is a true 6'4 1/2 & a born PG with an extensive ability to play the 2 or 3 but is most effective at the 1.....

DePaul (offered), Northwestern, Pittsburgh & K-State have all been out to see Smith within the last 2wks...
Click to expand...

Why would he be left on the outside? Best players play, and why not three ball handlers together? Frazier, Smith and Williams.

Dee Brown, Deron Williams and Luther Head made it work.

On the realistic side, although I like Smith's game, you can't be serious about him being a better player/passer than Deron Williams. That is not a knock on Smith.
 
#2,409      

LouAlcinder

L
LouAlcinder
Hooping34 said:
Smith's camp likes The Illini but they think if D. Williams is healthy & a go for next season is a talented Smith going to be standing outside the Big 10 Illini party ...trying to get in......
Click to expand...

Interesting... If he's as good as everyone says he is then other players will be standing outside waiting to get in...
 
#2,410      

Hooping34

H
Hooping34
ballislife17 said:
LOL I love how we always compare players to super successful guy, but with one way the recruit/illini is better

ie Leron is like Draymond green but a better rebounder
Smith is like deron williams but a better passer
Tate is like a more athletic version of chris paul

You guys crack me up
Click to expand...

Just an opinion ....
 
#2,411      

IlliniInOK

IlliniInOK
no longer in OK! Centralia, IL
IlliniInOK
Hooping34 said:
I'm sorry Andre Miller is & always has been legit but Smith is a much better shooter from deep.

I think Mark Smith is a replica or a 2017 version of Deron Williiams just as versatile, can shoot it, handle it, big guard body, athletic ... Smith maybe a better passer ......
Click to expand...



A better passer than Deron? Same guy who was deservedly drafted 3rd in the NBA Draft after his Junior year? 2-time Olympic gold medalist Deron Williams? 3-time NBA All-Star Deron Williams? Owner of the highest single season assist total at Illinois and 2 of the top 5 seasons for assists per game Deron Williams?

Dude, Smith may be a great passer, but DWill came in and was third in the B1G as a freshman in assists per game. That's an awfully lofty standard you're pushing.
 
#2,412      

TCTORNADO

TCTORNADO
TCTORNADO
Smith played AAU ball this summer with Pickett and Ramey so I'm guessing someone from staff saw him more than once, right?? It appears he has taken 1 OV and that was to Wright State in early September.
 
#2,413      

Hooping34

H
Hooping34
combes said:
Why would he be left on the outside? Best players play, and why not three ball handlers together? Frazier, Smith and Williams.

Dee Brown, Deron Williams and Luther Head made it work.

On the realistic side, although I like Smith's game, you can't be serious about him being a better player/passer than Deron Williams. That is not a knock on Smith.
Click to expand...

Im a huge & still am a big D-Will fan( Illini through his pro career) ... If Smith accomplishes half the accolades D-Will did he's going to have a solid college career...wherever he lands....

You can add Purdue to that list of schools that have been to see Smith....
 
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#2,414      

IlliniCards24

I
IlliniCards24
Hooping34 said:
Well from sources close to Mark Smith..He's interested in the best fit for him..Smith's camp likes The Illini but they think if D. Williams is healthy & a go for next season is a talented Smith going to be standing outside the Big 10 Illini party ...trying to get in....

Smith is a true 6'4 1/2 & a born PG with an extensive ability to play the 2 or 3 but is most effective at the 1.....

DePaul (offered), Northwestern, Pittsburgh & K-State have all been out to see Smith within the last 2wks...
Click to expand...


Here's the thing. If he continues to play like this, Damonte Williams will not be standing in front of him. He's a versatile player and Groce will find a spot on the floor for him. 6'5 and his strength, ball handling, shot and athleticism is incredibly hard to find. Why not go to an in state school and play along side 2 other players from the SWC.
 
#2,415      

SimonHoffman

S
SimonHoffman
Hooping34 said:
Well from sources close to Mark Smith..He's interested in the best fit for him..Smith's camp likes The Illini but they think if D. Williams is healthy & a go for next season is a talented Smith going to be standing outside the Big 10 Illini party ...trying to get in....

Smith is a true 6'4 1/2 & a born PG with an extensive ability to play the 2 or 3 but is most effective at the 1.....

DePaul (offered), Northwestern, Pittsburgh & K-State have all been out to see Smith within the last 2wks...
Click to expand...



Sources close to Mark... perhaps related? Really hope your son ends up picking Illinois. Either way, I wish him luck in the recruiting process and will be rooting for him wherever he winds up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#2,416      

TCTORNADO

TCTORNADO
TCTORNADO
Forest Hills upsets Wellington on Wednesday night 74-67, Frazier with 26 pts.
Wellington beats Palm Beach Central tonight 72-56, Frazier with 30 pt., 6 assts, and 8 rbs.
 
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#2,417      

Newman

N
Newman
He looks pretty good from that highlight video and has had some impressive stats the past few games, but I can't help but be a bit skeptical. He was just honorable mention by the IBCA last year. He's athletic, seems to be a pretty good passer, and is great rebounder but we'd have a pretty weak team if this board just offered every player with an impressive highlight video. With it being late in the 2017 recruiting process, teams know if they need a player like him or not and wouldn't hesitate to offer if he was the real deal.. which begs the question: What are some of his weaknesses that we don't see in the highlight videos? Is he a high volume and streaky shooter? Does he turn it over 10 times a game?

I'm not ready to jump on the bandwagon just yet.
 
#2,418      

Paigncake

P
Paigncake
Newman said:
He looks pretty good from that highlight video and has had some impressive stats the past few games, but I can't help but be a bit skeptical. He was just honorable mention by the IBCA last year. He's athletic, seems to be a pretty good passer, and is great rebounder but we'd have a pretty weak team if this board just offered every player with an impressive highlight video. With it being late in the 2017 recruiting process, teams know if they need a player like him or not and wouldn't hesitate to offer if he was the real deal.. which begs the question: What are some of his weaknesses that we don't see in the highlight videos? Is he a high volume and streaky shooter? Does he turn it over 10 times a game?

I'm not ready to jump on the bandwagon just yet.
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I don't know his a/t ratio but 20+ pts 10 assists a game is pretty darn nice.

As far as Williams being ahead of him with his size Smith can play 1-3 it appears to me..

May not see a ton of p.t. frosh year but I think he Frazier and Damonte would be quite the trio down the road.

Nothing wrong with having multiple point guards on the floor as long as they all can shoot.. Worked well for Illinois the last time.
 
#2,420      

TCTORNADO

TCTORNADO
TCTORNADO
Must have been a good game at City of Palms. Kevin Knox of Tampa Catholic vs Tilmon. Knox is a consensus top 10 player. Coaches K/Scheyer and Capel were there to see Knox. He finished with 30 pts, 12 rbs, 6 steals and 3 blocks. Tampa won 77-72. Knox being recruited by Ky, Duke, & NC.
 
#2,421      

skamin7

skamin7
Wellington, FL
skamin7
I was at Trent's game last night against Palm Beach Central. He is so smooth in the transition game it is scary. Even though he doesn't play point on the team, his vision and passes are very crisp and he sees things other don't. He glides though the air when he cuts into the lane also. I can't wait to see him in the orange and blue.
 
#2,422      

TCTORNADO

TCTORNADO
TCTORNADO
skamin7 said:
I was at Trent's game last night against Palm Beach Central. He is so smooth in the transition game it is scary. Even though he doesn't play point on the team, his vision and passes are very crisp and he sees things other don't. He glides though the air when he cuts into the lane also. I can't wait to see him in the orange and blue.
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Thanks, nice post. We need more from South Florida.!!
 
#2,423      

FatGreg

F
FatGreg
skamin7 said:
I was at Trent's game last night against Palm Beach Central. He is so smooth in the transition game it is scary. Even though he doesn't play point on the team, his vision and passes are very crisp and he sees things other don't. He glides though the air when he cuts into the lane also. I can't wait to see him in the orange and blue.
Click to expand...

I saw three of Trent's games last year and he was always a part-time PG: he'd bring the ball up and initiate the offense maybe 30-40 percent of the time (including pretty much every critical possession). Is he playing less on the ball this year? Just curious. Interesting, since most of us see him playing primarily PG in college.
 
#2,424      

chief78

chief78
Florida
chief78
TCTORNADO said:
Thanks, nice post. We need more from South Florida.!!
Click to expand...

I've been trying to go see Trent play, but it seems every night Wellington is playing, so is my son's team. Oh well, one of these nights I'll make it to a Wellington game.
 
#2,425      

IllinifaninFL

I
IllinifaninFL
I was at the game last night as well. I sat right behind the Wellington bench. I was impressed with his game as he can turn it on whenever he wants and he plays with a commanding swagger, but not overly cocky. They played with 3 guards last night and the other two are phenomenal players as well. They all demonstrated great potential to find a lane out of nowhere and beat their opponent to the hole. What really amazed me is Trent's attitude. I saw a lot of respect showed to his coaches and the other players. He didn't seem to try and separate himself as a one man show. He played into the team scheme.
 
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