Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[RimPressure]

While I certainly understand and in large part share in the skepticism on Storr, it seems a reach to be making definitive statements on what his mindset and impact in the locker room will be without having ever spent a second with him personally. At some point you have to trust Brad and his staff - the people talk to and build relationships with these kids - to make reasonably wise decisions. If you don't trust their judgment, then I guess you're in the fire Brad camp? (I'm not in this camp myself)

Where I could see Storr becoming a very interesting pivot option is if we miss on both Dix and Sarr.

At that point, we could be looking at Sellers, Ty, and Storr competing for 2 starting wing spots between the 3 of them - and I would think its possible that the 3 of them COMBINED might not cost too much more than just 1 of Dix or Sarr individually. (An Insider can correct me here if I'm way off) If that's the case, then the pivot could be that you take those Dix/Sarr resources and put them into landing a BIG FISH STUD 4 man to complement the Ivisic twins.

That would leave you with those 3 wings that would have been theoretically obtained without completely breaking the bank, all athletically gifted with good size - and at least physically should have the tools to be decent defenders. I would hope a battle for minutes might help with the mental motivation side of things to buy in defensively. And then Storr and Sellers at least have some high upside on the offensive side as well. All 3 of them have to earn minutes in practice and with defense.

Basically it seems that thus far, plan A has been to spend big on the wings, and maybe look for some more modestly-priced frontcourt guys. If we got serious about Storr, plan A probably didn't work out and it might make sense to reverse that strategy.

 

[ChiefGritty]

Just because things didn't work out for him for one year and made some (presumably) wrong decisions, automatic pass - just an amusingly ignorant narrative.

All three of his college seasons have been disappointments for three different programs. His prior two got better after he left and surely the same will be true at Kansas.

While I certainly understand and in large part share in the skepticism on Storr, it seems a reach to be making definitive statements on what his mindset and impact in the locker room will be without having ever spent a second with him personally.

We on the internet cannot know the character of the young man. But we on the internet can know that he just isn't that good at basketball! Superficial black hole volume scoring is his only skill on a basketball floor!

 

[biglug58]

Some of you are just crazy wanting to pass on Storr if the price is right. You can possibly get an all big ten player on the low. Sure you can also end up with Booth type player. When his goal is to be NBA at some point he gonna have to learn what will get him there and attitude that will get him there. I'm positive that's his goal so next season right fit and right attitude he could be an absolute steal. In a market that is going crazy why wouldn't you risk a chance at a cheaper guy who can be an all star. The talent is there and if attitude goes there as well you just got the steal of the portal and moved middle of pack to top of pack. For right price I would go all in on Storr and get him now.

Username checks out

 

[illinifan1971]

Give me Storr...low risk, high reward!

 

[RimPressure]

We on the internet cannot know the character of the young man. But we on the internet can know that he just isn't that good at basketball! Superficial black hole volume scoring is his only skill on a basketball floor!

Well if it's so obvious to us internet folks, then surely Brad knows that too and we have nothing to worry about, right?

Kind of leads me to wonder - who is better at basketball - Carey Booth or AJ Storr?

 

[skyIdub]

Give me Storr over Sarr - older guy, and proven at the B10 level. People are forgetting - the guy averaged 16/game in the B10 and was a very high profile prospect.

Just because things didn't work out for him for one year and made some (presumably) wrong decisions, automatic pass - just an amusingly ignorant narrative.

Lmfao, not even remotely as amusing as taking Storr OVER Sarr!!

 

[ChiefGritty]

Well if it's so obvious to us internet folks, then surely Brad knows that too and we have nothing to worry about, right?

Kind of leads me to wonder - who is better at basketball - Carey Booth or AJ Storr?

I have great faith in BU and I want to believe that you're right and this is just agent chatter on the day Storr hits the portal.

Carey Booth is much more talented than Storr, but just kinda doesn't have the eye of the tiger. As someone who grew up inside the NBA world you wonder if he's just not in love with the game the way you have to be in order to make it.

 

[ImGonnaBeILL]

Wouldnt mind Storr either if the price is right. The program desperately needed an athletic bully that can get to the hoop and finish consistently there last season (and needs now).

Even if Tres shown the ability to be better all around, Storr has the ability to physically overwhelm opponents going to the hoop better than Tre

I hope the program focuses on physicalness and athletes this offseason. It's where they completely lacked last season. And they just lost their best physical guy that has the ability to just overwhelm in the future in Morez.

 

[IMPE Legend]

While I certainly understand and in large part share in the skepticism on Storr, it seems a reach to be making definitive statements on what his mindset and impact in the locker room will be without having ever spent a second with him personally. At some point you have to trust Brad and his staff - the people talk to and build relationships with these kids - to make reasonably wise decisions. If you don't trust their judgment, then I guess you're in the fire Brad camp? (I'm not in this camp myself)

Where I could see Storr becoming a very interesting pivot option is if we miss on both Dix and Sarr.

At that point, we could be looking at Sellers, Ty, and Storr competing for 2 starting wing spots between the 3 of them - and I would think its possible that the 3 of them COMBINED might not cost too much more than just 1 of Dix or Sarr individually. (An Insider can correct me here if I'm way off) If that's the case, then the pivot could be that you take those Dix/Sarr resources and put them into landing a BIG FISH STUD 4 man to complement the Ivisic twins.

That would leave you with those 3 wings that would have been theoretically obtained without completely breaking the bank, all athletically gifted with good size - and at least physically should have the tools to be decent defenders. I would hope a battle for minutes might help with the mental motivation side of things to buy in defensively. And then Storr and Sellers at least have some high upside on the offensive side as well. All 3 of them have to earn minutes in practice and with defense.

Basically it seems that thus far, plan A has been to spend big on the wings, and maybe look for some more modestly-priced frontcourt guys. If we got serious about Storr, plan A probably didn't work out and it might make sense to reverse that strategy.

Exactly, which is better:

Boswell
Dix
Sarr
Ty
Ivicic
Ivicic

or

Boswell
Storr
Ty
Yaxel
Ivicic
Ivicic
Sellers


Not saying Yaxel is at all attainable, just an exercise in how spending money on different parts can change the team makeup pretty quick. If there is a finite pool of money available its all about maximizing each dollar. A great deal is a great deal. If Dix + Sarr = Yaxel + Storr + Sellers then conversations should at least happen.

 

[Emerson Bigguns]

Give me Storr over Sarr - older guy, and proven at the B10 level. People are forgetting - the guy averaged 16/game in the B10 and was a very high profile prospect.

Just because things didn't work out for him for one year and made some (presumably) wrong decisions, automatic pass - just an amusingly ignorant narrative.

No, no, no. Sarr is playing in arguably the second-best league in the world right now and playing well for the most part.

If Storr plays his cards right, and absolutely maximizes the next year, he might have a shot at playing in the NBA at some point.

Sarr will almost certainly be in the NBA with a guaranteed contract by the Fall of 2026. He will be among the best first year players in the country next year, provided he doesn't just skip NCAA all together.

Storr is a backup plan. Sarr is a Headline "Plan A" recruit.

 

[AnnaMay]

Hopefully the staff doesn't sit on Dix for to long

 

[Tables@EddieMunster]

I really wanted Storr last off season and totally agree the upside is there and am totally saw the TSJ trajectory. But, money aside, we sound like the girl who doesn't see what a horrible guy she's dating. Maybe it should be a rule, if you haven't stayed in one place more than a year ever.... that you get red flagged. there tends to be a reason why... And the common denominator is the player. I get bargain bin shopping but my take is

“Brad, are you still recruiting that bad guy?”

 

[Bret Bielema's Burner]

I have great faith in BU and I want to believe that you're right and this is just agent chatter on the day Storr hits the portal.

Carey Booth is much more talented than Storr, but just kinda doesn't have the eye of the tiger. As someone who grew up inside the NBA world you wonder if he's just not in love with the game the way you have to be in order to make it.

Is this sarcasm???

 

[RockfordIllini]

On Storr, like with all players these days, it depends on the price and depends on the role.

I would sell him on the TJ role. That is, we really didn’t run any actions for TJ, we just got him out in transition and let him go. Biggest issue for me is we just don’t have enough other pieces and, specifically an alpha scorer so Storr may wind up being our alpha scorer by default. That I don’t want. And yes I recognize TJ was very much our alpha and got 23 ppg or whatever he got but the bulk of his points came in transition and at the FT line. Call Storr’s role TJ light.

If we are able to land an alpha scorer and Storr is happy with a TJ light role and the price is right (I’m thinking a shade under what we paid Humrichous this year) I think he’s a take. Has all conference potential if his head is screwed on right.

 

[gary?]

Elyjah Freeman - Men's Basketball - Lincoln Memorial University Athletics

Elyjah Freeman (3) Forward - Prior to LMU: - McDonald’s All-American Nominee Family: - Six siblings 2024-2025: - South Atlantic Conference Player of the Week

lmurailsplitters.com

same high school as trent (wellington, fl).

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

2017-18 - Rockford Lutheran HS
2018-19 - Kankakee HS
2019-20 - Bishop Gorman HS
2020-21 - AZ Compass Prep
2021-22 - IMG Academy
2022-23 - St. Johns
2023-24 - Wisconsin
2024-25 - Kansas

The story would be if he'd actually stayed somewhere another year.

Well we’d only be looking for one year.

 

[Calvin]

Wouldnt mind Storr either if the price is right. The program desperately needed an athletic bully that can get to the hoop and finish consistently there last season (and needs now).

I was a pass on Storr last season when he got far more hype on the board and the case for him was light years better. No way I get on board with it this year. I'm ok considering value in the roster building, but this one would have me SMH.

 

[ChiefGritty]

Is this sarcasm???

Not at all, Booth was a higher rated recruit for a reason. His size/athleticism/skill profile is rare.

He's doing nothing to tap into that talent, but the talent is there.

Storr is a skinny, inefficient jump shooter who can't pass or guard. Guys like him are a dime a dozen.

So Carey Booth a player who couldnt get 30 minutes the entire year for us is more talented than AJ Storr a player who averaged 16/pts and 30/min a game, both as sophmores in the BIG. Im not even saying i want him that bad but that crazy talk.

Better =/= More talented

I'm banging this drum because of the implicit assumption that there's some superstar talent lurking in Storr. There really, really isn't. The more you play that guy, the more you are putting a ceiling on your team.

 

[jsmoke2215]

I expected big things today. I suppose some kids are just now rolling out of bed though so haven't gotten to their phones to start tweeting yet.

 

[Fighting I 95]

I have great faith in BU and I want to believe that you're right and this is just agent chatter on the day Storr hits the portal.

Carey Booth is much more talented than Storr, but just kinda doesn't have the eye of the tiger. As someone who grew up inside the NBA world you wonder if he's just not in love with the game the way you have to be in order to make it.

So Carey Booth a player who couldnt get 30 minutes the entire year for us is more talented than AJ Storr a player who averaged 16/pts and 30/min a game, both as sophmores in the BIG. Im not even saying i want him that bad but that crazy talk.

 

[FightinIllini30]

With Storr…

The dude can obviously ball. He struggled at KU and I’m not gonna pretend to know why. I appreciate Indy’s perspective and I think he’s mostly right. But one part that Indy mentioned multiple times was how Storr has something he needs to prove and this is his last shot at the NBA. Someone else said it well with something along the lines of “he will take over the offense to the detriment of the team” and I’m not super confident in brads ability to pivot and do the whole meet bench thing if he doesn’t buy in.

Prior to last season I too would have said “well if Ben Humrichous isn’t ready for the B10 then he doesn’t need to play” and well…

And no, I would not take Storr over Sarr, come on…

 

[csd]

That’s all of CBB …

The key is simple … You can bring in transfers but who’s the gate keeper of the culture …

For us it’s Bam, Ty and Tomi … Those guys steer the ship for Brad and bring the other guys along and show them the culture …

When you put it like that it makes sense. I can see that in all three.

 

[Bret Bielema's Burner]

Not at all, Booth was a higher rated recruit for a reason. His size/athleticism/skill profile is rare.

He's doing nothing to tap into that talent, but the talent is there.

Storr is a skinny, inefficient jump shooter who can't pass or guard. Guys like him are a dime a dozen.

Respectfully, I disagree big time.

Carey has every resource imaginable available to him and is not even serviceable at a big time school. I wish him the best of luck but AJ Storr is miles better and more talented than him in my opinion.

Carey has not shown 1/8th of the talent Storr has.

 

[I-L-L 1318]

Not at all, Booth was a higher rated recruit for a reason. His size/athleticism/skill profile is rare.

He's doing nothing to tap into that talent, but the talent is there.

Storr is a skinny, inefficient jump shooter who can't pass or guard. Guys like him are a dime a dozen.


Better =/= More talented

I'm banging this drum because of the implicit assumption that there's some superstar talent lurking in Storr. There really, really isn't. The more you play that guy, the more you are putting a ceiling on your team.

And Carey Booth isn't a skinny, ineffecient jump shooter who can't pass or guard? I know, different positions but still.

 

[altgeld88]

Not at all, Booth was a higher rated recruit for a reason. His size/athleticism/skill profile is rare.

He's doing nothing to tap into that talent, but the talent is there.

Storr is a skinny, inefficient jump shooter who can't pass or guard. Guys like him are a dime a dozen.

So Carey Booth a player who couldnt get 30 minutes the entire year for us is more talented than AJ Storr a player who averaged 16/pts and 30/min a game, both as sophmores in the BIG. Im not even saying i want him that bad but that crazy talk.

That's not what CG said. Booth is an absolute physical freak. I saw him warm up and play twice this year... even saw him splash a trey in garbage time at Michigan. (On the latter count, of course, I had only slightly worse odds of encountering a unicorn smoking outside a convenience store.)

He reminds me of a gazelle. I'd also seen him play in person twice the year before for ND when he was actually getting decent tick. His hops are crazy and his athleticism is indeed rare. As CG notes, however, (and as Marshall Field also once noted) it's insufficient to have talent. It's the improvement of that talent that matters, and it ain't happening with Carey yet on the court. He was completely lost on our roster. I hope he finds his game at CSU.