Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
#51      
Not an inside joke. My point was that if you look at our top 30 or 40 prospects listed, about half of them grossly underperformed their ranking - starting with our top ranked recruit ever - Jerome Richmond. Miller, Curbelo, Skyy, etc are gone. Recruiting rankings have not been very predictive of how much players will ultimately contribute to the program.
True in those cases, but on the flip side look at the HUGE impacts Ayo and Kofi had.
 
#52      

turnaround3

1st & Daniel
On the Illini Inquirer postgame podcast from last night Piper teased an upcoming article and interview where Morez said that he's trying to convince another big time recruit to join him at Illinois. Any guesses who that could be?
Unless he's alluding to Rita teammates JB or Nojus flipping from UNC/ISU - and I don't think that's the case - I'd assume it likely has to be someone he played with on Meanstreets and *maybe* someone from out of state? As none of the other uncommitted '24 IL kids would qualify as objectively "big time", at a glance.
 
#53      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
Unless he's alluding to Rita teammates JB or Nojus flipping from UNC/ISU - and I don't think that's the case - I'd assume it likely has to be someone he played with on Meanstreets and *maybe* someone from out of state? As none of the other uncommitted '24 IL kids would qualify as objectively "big time", at a glance.

The big kahuna might be Trey McKinney (Meanstreets teammate), but he's a '25.
 
#55      

217sports

Springfield
Unless he's alluding to Rita teammates JB or Nojus flipping from UNC/ISU - and I don't think that's the case - I'd assume it likely has to be someone he played with on Meanstreets and *maybe* someone from out of state? As none of the other uncommitted '24 IL kids would qualify as objectively "big time", at a glance.
I listened. Piper did not say "big time recruit" FYI. I think you can figure out what Meanstreet guy that is
 
#56      
I listened. Piper did not say "big time recruit" FYI. I think you can figure out what Meanstreet guy that is
Oops, you're right, he said big time about the game they could have played against Kenwood if they didn't choke. I conflated the two parts of the Morez talk. On the other hand, I doubt he's trying to persuade a crappy recruit to join him 😂
Also, I'm not up on the current Meanstreets roster, who would that be?
 
#57      
One of my buddies, who is sadly a Purdue grad, keeps going on and on about Kanon Catchings. Every time we talk, he has to mention Kanon Catchings.

His mom is Tauja Catching who was an All Big Ten 1st team player for the Illini. His aunt is Tamika Catchings who was a star at Tennessee and WNBA. I believe his dad is also an Illinois grad. His grandpa played in the NBA.

Saw in an article that he visited Illinois, but I don't believe we ever offered and I don't remember ever seeing a single post about this kid on here. Looks like he was just rated a 5 star #17 in the class by 247. Is this a recruiting miss by the staff, a kid who blew up, and greatly exceeded expectations, or just a kid who's good not great?

 
#58      

GrayGhost77

Centennial, CO
One of my buddies, who is sadly a Purdue grad, keeps going on and on about Kanon Catchings. Every time we talk, he has to mention Kanon Catchings.

His mom is Tauja Catching who was an All Big Ten 1st team player for the Illini. His aunt is Tamika Catchings who was a star at Tennessee and WNBA. I believe his dad is also an Illinois grad. His grandpa played in the NBA.

Saw in an article that he visited Illinois, but I don't believe we ever offered and I don't remember ever seeing a single post about this kid on here. Looks like he was just rated a 5 star #17 in the class by 247. Is this a recruiting miss by the staff, a kid who blew up, and greatly exceeded expectations, or just a kid who's good not great?

I'm guessing it has more to do with the fact we already have Morez coming in the same class. Not to mention Amani in the '23 class. We'll be loaded in the front court for the next several years. If that weren't the case I'd have to think we'd have gone after him harder.
 
Last edited:
#61      
Not an inside joke. My point was that if you look at our top 30 or 40 prospects listed, about half of them grossly underperformed their ranking - starting with our top ranked recruit ever - Jerome Richmond. Miller, Curbelo, Skyy, etc are gone. Recruiting rankings have not been very predictive of how much players will ultimately contribute to the program.
Since the RSCI started in 1998, there have been seven Illini who have been either an All American, Big Ten Player of the Year, or Lottery Pick. All of them: Frank Williams, Brian Cook, Dee Brown, Deron Williams, Meyers Leonard, Ayo Dosunmu, and Kofi Cockburn, were Top 50 RSCI recruits and four were top 30.
If you want to add other accolades like Big Ten Freshman of the year, you can add DJ Richardson, another top 50 recruit or Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year you can add Andre Curbelo, another top 50 recruit.

Of course there are busts, but that doesn't disprove the fact that all of our super star players are highly regarded recruits. And that the super star players correlate with the best teams.

If anything, it means that you need to stack multiple top 50 recruits both in the same year and year over year so that you still will find top talent after the busts are factored in.

Finally, since the Ayo class, something like 35-40 schools have landed a consensus 5 star recruit, so it is not like there are a few blue bloods cannibalizing all of the best players.
 
#62      
Oops, you're right, he said big time about the game they could have played against Kenwood if they didn't choke. I conflated the two parts of the Morez talk. On the other hand, I doubt he's trying to persuade a crappy recruit to join him 😂
Also, I'm not up on the current Meanstreets roster, who would that be?
Harris? I know some people on here are high on him. https://247sports.com/player/carlos-harris-46133082/
 
#63      
I'm guessing it has more to do with the fact we already have Morez coming in the same class. Not to mention Amani in the '23 class. We'll be loaded in the front court for the next several years. If that weren't the case I'd have to think we'd have gone after him harder.

How will we be loaded? I only see Morez and Amani. Maybe Dainja if he sticks around several years, but that’s not the norm these days.

Two or three guys for the PF and C spots is anything but loaded. We will most certainly bring in others.
 
#64      
How will we be loaded? I only see Morez and Amani. Maybe Dainja if he sticks around several years, but that’s not the norm these days.

Two or three guys for the PF and C spots is anything but loaded. We will most certainly bring in others.
Well at the time we had perrin locked in to as well
 
#66      
I'm guessing it has more to do with the fact we already have Morez coming in the same class. Not to mention Amani in the '23 class. We'll be loaded in the front court for the next several years. If that weren't the case I'd have to think we'd have gone after him harder.

This kid is closer to a 2 than a 4. I'm sure he'll technically be a SF, but theres not a ton of difference between the 2 and the 3 these days.
 
#68      

GrayGhost77

Centennial, CO
How will we be loaded? I only see Morez and Amani. Maybe Dainja if he sticks around several years, but that’s not the norm these days.

Two or three guys for the PF and C spots is anything but loaded. We will most certainly bring in others.
I see some responded already, but also, a kid that highly ranked would almost certainly want starters minutes right away. Not a guarantee with guys like an upperclassman Dainja (If he stays), Morez, and Hansberry, not to mention Ty Rogers, Melendez, and anyone we might pick up through the portal.
 
#70      
RJ
Goode
Dainja
Epps
Rodgers
Harris

I don’t think anyone expects all of these guys to return.
is it crazy that I do? Possible with Hawkins as well.. I mean I would have said RJ a month ago.. but the last month seems to be going better for him...
 
#71      
is it crazy that I do? Possible with Hawkins as well.. I mean I would have said RJ a month ago.. but the last month seems to be going better for him...
I think it depends on whether Brad brings in any portal kids. If nobody leaves I would be comfortable just taking 1 portal player.

I would love to see what RJ (SF) , Luke (SF), Dain (C), Ty (PF) , Sencire (G) , and Jayden (G) can do as 25 mpg starter types.

If we don't bring in a transfer that leaves our reserves as DSG (G) Nico (G) Amani (PF) Brandon (C)

Coleman coming back would help a lot. Otherwise we only have 10 scholarship players so we need to add 1-2 2023 or portal
 
#73      
I see some responded already, but also, a kid that highly ranked would almost certainly want starters minutes right away. Not a guarantee with guys like an upperclassman Dainja (If he stays), Morez, and Hansberry, not to mention Ty Rogers, Melendez, and anyone we might pick up through the portal.
I'm glad you're not recruiting for us. The top schools bring in multiple highly-ranked guys at the same spots. We have no idea if any if the guys you mentioned will be here if and when this kid would arrive on campus.
 
#75      
With Perrin leaving I think we need another big. We have Dain and Hansberry but no one to replace Hawk if he leaves. Lieb would have to be the backup center as Hansberry at 6’8” and Luke at 6’7” are really too small to guard BIG centers. Would expect a 6’10 or > transfer if Hawk leaves. Perrin seemed like the perfect fit but that ship has sailed. Love to see Dain, Hawk, Hansberry, Ty, Luke, RJ, Sencire, Jayden and Moretti as the rotation but doubtful about Hawk despite 440’s comments.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.