I'm wondering the same thing, Bigtex.Let's say Illinois adds one wing from the portal. For fun, let's assume it is Watkins. Leaving 2 open scholarships.
Early in the season it looks like we are lite on ball handlers, is it possible and/or likely Fears graduates in December and immediately joins the team and gets some minutes?
Naw. Just another name to addSo if we are seeing this name again…other top targets from yesterday are no longer in play? Not that he’s a bad player, but thought we were narrowed in. Watkins play today probably helped his NBA dreams.
Miles Kelly isn't coming here to be the 9th guy in the rotationI'm wondering the same thing, Bigtex.
You are saying: 1. Get a Jamir Watkins transfer to Illinois. 2. Leave the 12th scholarship open for Jeremiah Fears to enroll after the first semester. 3. Leave the 13th scholarship open for a possible mid-year transfer, ala Dainja. That might very well be what Brad wants to do.
But if Illinois does not get a stud transfer guard/wing like Watkins (or a commit from Jakucionis?), I think Brad and staff will consider signing two lesser(?) players, and only keeping one scholarship open. Brad seemed to leave himself a little wiggle room for that possibility during his recent conversation with Andy Katz.
Even if Illinois gets a transfer from Jaylen Wells (), I still hope that Illinois finds another transfer for that 12th scholarship. Perhaps Miles Kelly, Damari Monsanto, Kevin Patton Jr, Cedric Coward, or Mike Sharavjamts. Hopefully it would be the player with the best combination of ballhandling and shooting skills. Kelly and Monsanto both had better numbers in 22-23 season than they did in 23-24. [In fact, adding only Kelly and Monsanto, returning to their 22-23 numbers, would round out the Illini roster nicely. Probably not a top 20 team... at least not early in the season.]
Whenever I see something about Dai Dai, it makes me think of that team with JJ Taylor…man, what an unfortunate road that kid went down. Top 5-10 player in his class, looked like little KD, then he went to Donda and cratered.
This is not necessarily true. It could just mean there is mutual interest in yet another very good target. That is a very good thing.So if we are seeing this name again…other top targets from yesterday are no longer in play? Not that he’s a bad player, but thought we were narrowed in. Watkins play today probably helped his NBA dreams.
You are saying: 1. Get an action perimeter guy to transfer to Illinois. 2. Leave the 12th scholarship open for Jeremiah Fears to enroll after the first semester. 3. Leave the 13th scholarship open for a possible mid-year transfer, ala Dainja. That might very well be what Brad wants to do.
Whenever I see something about Dai Dai, it makes me think of that team with JJ Taylor…man, what an unfortunate road that kid went down. Top 5-10 player in his class, looked like little KD, then he went to Donda and cratered.
Whenever I see something about Dai Dai, it makes me think of that team with JJ Taylor…man, what an unfortunate road that kid went down. Top 5-10 player in his class, looked like little KD, then he went to Donda and cratered.
When I see Dai Dai I think about the Friday movies and chuckle a damn or two.Whenever I see something about Dai Dai, it makes me think of that team with JJ Taylor…man, what an unfortunate road that kid went down. Top 5-10 player in his class, looked like little KD, then he went to Donda and cratered.
Seabuscuit! Quicker feet than the monster Man O' War.Showing my age but……gotta pick this one!
Black Stallion is a classic movie
Didn't say he'd be the 9th guy in the rotation. If it's Kelly and Monsanto that are added, I'd expect Kelly to start at the 2-guard position. If we add Jaylen Wells, he'd start at the 2-guard, and I don't think we'd add Kelly.Miles Kelly isn't coming here to be the 9th guy in the rotation
Don't wanna sound repetitive but...Where is that dude from Wake?That's exactly what Brad wants to do ...
Sounds like Wells is likely not going to be able to get into school here academically ...
Watkins, Kelly, Kasparas ... Lathon ...
Is this kinda like a boom. Asking for a friend
Oh snap...are you confirming that Fears may actually enroll midyear??That's exactly what Brad wants to do ...
Sounds like Wells is likely not going to be able to get into school here academically ...
Watkins, Kelly, Kasparas ... Lathon ...
I might actually prefer Lathon over Kelly. I think Lathon would fit in nicely starting at the 2. I like his game and his maturity.That's exactly what Brad wants to do ...
Sounds like Wells is likely not going to be able to get into school here academically ...
Watkins, Kelly, Kasparas ... Lathon ...
In an alternate universe JJ stays in Chicago and becomes Illinois highest recruit ever.. sad that kid got terrible adviceWhenever I see something about Dai Dai, it makes me think of that team with JJ Taylor…man, what an unfortunate road that kid went down. Top 5-10 player in his class, looked like little KD, then he went to Donda and cratered.
Oh snap...are you confirming that Fears may actually enroll midyear??
When I see Dai Dai I think about the Friday movies and chuckle a damn or two.
Heh heh heh....see , I really really do....
That would be like having a Ferrari in your garage and not driving it.It's definitely on the table ...
Redshirt the spring ... Best strength coach and training facility in CBB for a semester ... Learn the system ... Learn his teammates ...
Come in and dominate next year ...
Potential hidden benefit. Would be subject to the transfer portal entrance period and be unable to back out of an NLI at the last minute or over the summer.It's definitely on the table ...
Redshirt the spring ... Best strength coach and training facility in CBB for a semester ... Learn the system ... Learn his teammates ...
Come in and dominate next year ...
Me likey.....me likey a lot......It's definitely on the table ...
Redshirt the spring ... Best strength coach and training facility in CBB for a semester ... Learn the system ... Learn his teammates ...
Come in and dominate next year ...
But the real question is are his growth plates still open?I'm going 6'3.5