Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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This outcome is the most likely....but there is no 100% probability here....IMHO
I'd think it'd be Kwa that goes first but otherwise I like it
And maybe I missed it in the thread today, but Werner confirmed Ben is returning. Word was he got around 300k for doing so.
I'll say it again, very very confident that he commits to Illinois. Has it taken longer than thought with more bumps? Sure. But not much has changed at all overall.
Commits? I thought he had committed?
If that's the case, happy for the kid. He's going to play a nice role, he's got a year in the system and I think he's settled in.
So, what can the insiders tell us for certain? It would seem like this visit was not a closer, but rather the first bid in an auction of 7 or 8 with deep pockets that U of I cannot ultimately match at the end. If so, there was a distinct disadvantage in getting the first bid, or even hosting a negotiation. Seems like someone got played for a patsy...but sure hope not and valuable lessons were learned....ones that should have been foreseen. IMHO, AS will never be seen in an Illini uniform.
Just trying to offer some pragmatism to the Wild Wild West of College Transfer portal auctions. And that is why we can soon predict 10 and 20 million contracts that no one sees coming. There is no one stopping them all going to the highest bidder....and many kids of high character but less talent are going to be working at McDonald's instead of marching at graduation with a degree in hand and an enlightened mind.
Just trying to offer some pragmatism to the Wild Wild West of College Transfer portal auctions. And that is why we can soon predict 10 and 20 million contracts that no one sees coming. There is no one stopping them all going to the highest bidder....and many kids of high character but less talent are going to be working at McDonald's instead of marching at graduation with a degree in hand and an enlightened mind.
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Honest question what kind of bumps are minor and not anything to worry about?
This is correct. This is a kid with NBA potential from a wealthy family. They would prioritize fit over money. He’s not “driving up the price” or going on courtesy visits.
If he was ready to commit, he would have. I think it’s most likely time to pivot.
I've been as critical of Ben as anyone but for 300k that's basically an incredible value for a guy that as the very least will be a 6th year college guy and be able knock down 3s off the bench.
I do think Ben and Davis are a bit redundant though and I'm curious if Davis might take the Ty route and redshirt to develop and save eligibility for 2 more years to maximize NIL earnings.
I'll take that bet.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Two can and should play at this “will they or won’t they?” game.
Get Desmond Claude on the phone
Get Desmond Claude on the phone
No other visits are happening. Decision is coming soon. UNC Zaga and FL have tried to get in there but they are nowhere near Illinois right now. Read into that what you will.
This is Ian Jackson to St. John's 2.0. Like I said, I will eat crow if I'm wrong, but very confident in this one.
This is Ian Jackson to St. John's 2.0. Like I said, I will eat crow if I'm wrong, but very confident in this one.
Considering they lead the country in fake classes it’s a fair conclusion without much thought.
Well, what was Andrej wearing?
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- Batavia
I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you.
Loser buys a Morez Michigan jersey.
It's funny how posts like these are always veiled as pragmatism. Just say you're pessimistic, it's okay. People who are pragmatic would just wait for the decision and wouldn't make absolute statements like the bolded.
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Serious question: How do you finish things up in this day and age? Illinois may tell his people we’ll give you your 3 million or whatever and then the agent takes that number to other interested schools and says can you beat that?
I don’t blame the agent one iota. That’s his job.
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