Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[Joel Goodson]

Some videos on Dainja:

Thanks for that. It seems like he's lost some of that Baby Huey look he sported as a prep. ~10 months with Fletch (and hard work) and he'll morph into a force. Love his feet, has good handles for a big and love his wide body. Upside comp is PU's Trevion Williams.

Having an open ride is gold. Love that we'd be pulling a Minny kid. Love that he's ~2 years past HS too.

 

[STL Illini]

Some videos on Dainja:

After watching these clips he would look to be a 5* with one and done potentail. The fact that he was viewed this year from Drew and Baylor as a developmental player makes me wonder if there is an issue with work ethic, attitude, coachability, or some other factor…? Just wondering what happened…? Also appears we weren’t in on him a couple years ago, so likely some ground needs to be made up to make it happen.
But looking at our bigs prospects, the fact that BU left one scholarship open for this very reason, it looks like he would be a big get.

 

[BashCtIllini]

Some videos on Dainja:

 

[Epsilon]

Don’t feel bad. With all the turkey and wine it was lost on me too lol.

 

[Joel Goodson]

After watching these clips he would look to be a 5* with one and done potentail. The fact that he was viewed this year from Drew and Baylor as a developmental player makes me wonder if there is an issue with work ethic, attitude, coachability, or some other factor…? Just wondering what happened…? Also appears we weren’t in on him a couple years ago, so likely some ground needs to be made up to make it happen.
But looking at our bigs prospects, the fact that BU left one scholarship open for this very reason, it looks like he would be a big get.

We weren't a finalist, but we most definitely recruited him.

FWLIW, I'm not seeing a 5 star. But he was a pretty high 4 and that's seems fair. I really like his upside.

 

[illini0440]

This season?

Staff has known about this for awhile. Yeah they kept a scholly open this season for this sort of thing. He won’t be able to play til next year.

 

[JustPassing]

I would say get this done and let Fletch work on him until the end of the next semester. We know that Jake, Plummer and Kofi will be leaving and this signing will fill our rides. Unless we have a transfer out, we will not have to look for another player to fill next year

Staff has known about this for awhile. Yeah they kept a scholly open this season for this sort of thing. He won’t be able to play til next year.

Suggest we get him next sem on the open scholie and let him sit out this year. He can train, Fletcherize, hopefully practice next sem + spring + summer and be ready for next year

 

[illiniguy]

The guy's name is Dainja.

Hope he’s not a Strainja.

 

[sacraig]

Hope he’s not a Strainja.

 

[spillini]

 

[Illini B-Ball Fan]

After re-watching these videos a few times, Dainja has the wow factor with some moves that even Kofi would probably like to duplicate, quite the rounded-out player with more than just dunks. Like was brought up before and being that good of a player - what was the real reason for leaving Baylor? Something doesn't seem right unless he would just be a bench-warmer there longer than he wanted, waiting his turn.

 

[ElGran]

After re-watching these videos a few times, Dainja has the wow factor with some moves that even Kofi would probably like to duplicate, quite the rounded-out player with more than just dunks. Like was brought up before and being that good of a player - what was the real reason for leaving Baylor? Something doesn't seem right unless he would just be a bench-warmer there longer than he wanted, waiting his turn.

Wondering the same. Anyone know what his injury was last year? Last year was a redshirt for him, so would he have Soph eligibility next year?

 

[JustPassing]

After re-watching these videos a few times, Dainja has the wow factor with some moves that even Kofi would probably like to duplicate, quite the rounded-out player with more than just dunks. Like was brought up before and being that good of a player - what was the real reason for leaving Baylor? Something doesn't seem right unless he would just be a bench-warmer there longer than he wanted, waiting his turn.

Trust in BU

Wondering the same. Anyone know what his injury was last year? Last year was a redshirt for him, so would he have Soph eligibility next year?

Would expect him to enroll in Jan and let Fletch work on this kid.

 

[illiniguy]

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

I would say get this done and let Fletch work on him until the end of the next semester. We know that Jake, Plummer and Kofi will be leaving and this signing will fill our rides. Unless we have a transfer out, we will not have to look for another player to fill next year

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen someone say that Jake is gone after this season, but doesn’t he have another year if he wants it (2 years at first school + sit out year + 2 years playing with Illini + extra Covid year). Has Jake already said he won’t be back or do I have the extra Covid year for him wrong?

 

[IlliniCaboose]

 

[Newmark4thFloor]

 

[texillwek]

After re-watching these videos a few times, Dainja has the wow factor with some moves that even Kofi would probably like to duplicate, quite the rounded-out player with more than just dunks. Like was brought up before and being that good of a player - what was the real reason for leaving Baylor? Something doesn't seem right unless he would just be a bench-warmer there longer than he wanted, waiting his turn.

Here are some thoughts from the Baylor board. A few posters seem to think he is overweight with a slow motor. Not sure if any of them are insiders, so caveat lector

 

[Ga65]

Here are some thoughts from the Baylor board. A few posters seem to think he is overweight with a slow motor. Not sure if any of them are insiders, so caveat lector

Board was high on skills and low on his mobility and work ethic. Foot injury was probably a big contributor. If he can motivated to work with Fletch he could be a great addition. Certainly give us options.

 

[pruman91]

 

[pruman91]

 

[sacraig]

View attachment 13273

 

[Illini B-Ball Fan]

Board was high on skills and low on his mobility and work ethic. Foot injury was probably a big contributor. If he can motivated to work with Fletch he could be a great addition. Certainly give us options.

The videos may have been before his injury, yet in all of them, he appeared to be the elite type fit the coaches would be looking for, thus the upcoming visit.

 

[MoCoMdIllini]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1463945009733021704

How awesome would it be of Danger is also his middle name?

 

[sacraig]

How awesome would it be of Danger is also his middle name?