Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[RandyfromTuscola]

You gotta love the officials we're lining up with these 5 stars. It's all window dressing until we land one I know. But this is really nice to see.

The Groce era was peppered with big name guys coming for visits and then always ending up 2nd or 3rd in the running. Obviously this feels different, but other than maybe Duke, we aren't going to bring in 3-4 five star guys in one year, but we still have to close the deal with 1-2 guys. That's what Groce couldn't do. He couldn't point to the success that he had. Underwood can simply say, we put players in the NBA each year and we make deep tourney runs. That too me is the difference.

I know it's been repeated so many times, but Ayo's commitment to us when we were on the bottom was really what started this all. His success allowed the next wave to come, which allowed the next wave to come, and so on. I know its more than just one player or one coach, but that kick started this run.

 

[CHK71185]

You gotta love the officials we're lining up with these 5 stars. It's all window dressing until we land one I know. But this is really nice to see.

Quentin Coleman is a 5-Star!

 

[blackdog]

Quentin Coleman is a 5-Star!

And Will Riley which makes 2 in 3 years.

 

[March2TheArch]

Yeah why are we acting like Will and Quentin aren’t 5-stars? Also, it’s very clear Keaton should have been one himself. We’re talking about 3 players in 3 consecutive years that were, formally or effectively, 5-stars.

I don’t really care what 247 composite says when our staff has already built a foundation as 5-star Guard U.

 

[HailtotheChief]

Yeah why are we acting like Will and Quentin aren’t 5-stars? Also, it’s very clear Keaton should have been one himself. We’re talking about 3 players in 3 consecutive years that were, formally or effectively, 5-stars.

I don’t really care what 247 composite says when our staff has already built a foundation as 5-star Guard U.

I love that the staff can identify talented players that are not listed as 5 star guys or even top 4 star guys when we get in on them but then may become them or shouldve been. I mean KJ was a one n done too. How many were after KJ or Mirk? We also were in early on Kitt and now he has shot up in the rankings. I love when when we get in on some of these guys early and get an advantage before others are looking at them. We lost Sarr to Duke but we were one of the first on him. I like when we get in early on players and i think the staff has excelled at doing so. Wabbington is a great player and i hope we land him but these studs everyone is on early are much tougher to get.

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

Yeah why are we acting like Will and Quentin aren’t 5-stars? Also, it’s very clear Keaton should have been one himself. We’re talking about 3 players in 3 consecutive years that were, formally or effectively, 5-stars.

I don’t really care what 247 composite says when our staff has already built a foundation as 5-star Guard U.

KJ should have absolutely been a 5-star as well.

 

[NarrowJ]

Keaton should have been a 5-star too

 

[green_bay_energy]

 

[Battle89]

Wabbington is a great player and i hope we land him but these studs everyone is on early are much tougher to get.

 

[Dan]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2089391279738077264

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

You gotta love the officials we're lining up with these 5 stars. It's all window dressing until we land one I know. But this is really nice to see.

Quentin Coleman, The Principia School , Shooting Guard

Quentin Coleman is a 6-4, 180-pound Shooting Guard from Saint Louis, MO.

247sports.com

Will Riley, The Phelps School , Small Forward

Will Riley is a 6-8, 178-pound Small Forward from Malvern, PA. He is ranked No. 22 in the country by 247Sports. Riley is the No. 2 recruit in Malvern, PA...

247sports.com

 

[Cravingschampaign]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2089400648412352988

 

[Victor Choke-a-Baby]

Darius Wabbington Official Visit:

Darius Wabbington, Sunnyslope , Center

Darius Wabbington is a 6-11, 245-pound Center (BK) from Phoenix, AZ.

247sports.com

View attachment 51203

This is a big-time visit!

Tifwiw, but I'm told this is Brad's favorite big regardless of class, and he and OA are going to go all out to land this kid!

They see him as Mirk 2.0, his replacement next year hopefully after he's drafted...

Wabbington is so skilled and such an elite passer, the staff would like to pair him with another big, a Center with excellent range and shot blocking ability, and keep DW at the 4 where they think he can be ultra effective in this offense!

He's more skilled than any other big they are recruiting, so this is going to be a high-level OV.

They plan to pull out all the stops on Oct. 23

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

Darius Wabbington Official Visit:

Darius Wabbington, Sunnyslope , Center

Darius Wabbington is a 6-11, 245-pound Center (BK) from Phoenix, AZ.

247sports.com

View attachment 51203

https://twitter.com/x/status/2089411498200228144

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

This is a big-time visit!

Tifwiw, but I'm told this is Brad's favorite big regardless of class, and he and OA are going to go all out to land this kid!

They see him as Mirk 2.0, his replacement next year hopefully after he's drafted...

Wabbington is so skilled and such an elite passer, the staff would like to pair him with another big, a Center with excellent range and shot blocking ability, and keep DW at the 4 where they think he can be ultra effective in this offense!

He's more skilled than any other big they are recruiting, so this is going to be a high-level OV.

They plan to pull out all the stops on Oct. 23

https://twitter.com/x/status/2085893231657554047

 

[blackdog]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2085893231657554047

Did Coleman Hawkins clone himself? They move/dribble almost exactly the same.

 

[CoalCity]

Did Coleman Hawkins clone himself? They move/dribble almost exactly the same.

Was just gonna say the same thing. I've watched him in some games and didn't get that, but seeing the highlights all together like that sure was a flashback to the best of what CH had to offer. Except bigger and better

 

[ChiefGritty]

Quentin Coleman, The Principia School , Shooting Guard

Quentin Coleman is a 6-4, 180-pound Shooting Guard from Saint Louis, MO.

247sports.com

Will Riley, The Phelps School , Small Forward

Will Riley is a 6-8, 178-pound Small Forward from Malvern, PA. He is ranked No. 22 in the country by 247Sports. Riley is the No. 2 recruit in Malvern, PA...

247sports.com

We've had so much talent come through this program and somehow our last

(1) Incoming freshman
(2) Consensus 5-star
(3) McDonalds All-American

Is still Dee Brown.

Our most recent McDAA (Richmond) is listed 9th on our 247 All-Time Commits (since 2003)

 

[RockfordIllini]

We've had so much talent come through this program and somehow our last

(1) Incoming freshman
(2) Consensus 5-star
(3) McDonalds All-American

Is still Dee Brown.

Our most recent McDAA (Richmond) is listed 9th on our 247 All-Time Commits (since 2003)

Respectfully, McDAA doesn’t matter much anymore and hasn’t mattered for probably 10-15 years.

There are now more national type games (Iverson etc) so McDAA no longer has a monopoly on annointing HS talent. Also somehow at some point McDAA became about less about showcasing the best players (many of whom went to blue bloods) and more about showcasing future blue bloods (who may or may not be the best players). Case in point, Morez not being named McDAA (was clearly one of top players as evidenced by his role in FIVA) and also Q. Coleman (same).

 

[Boskydell]

Respectfully, McDAA doesn’t matter much anymore and hasn’t mattered for probably 10-15 years.

There are now more national type games (Iverson etc) so McDAA no longer has a monopoly on annointing HS talent. Also somehow at some point McDAA became about less about showcasing the best players (many of whom went to blue bloods) and more about showcasing future blue bloods (who may or may not be the best players). Case in point, Morez not being named McDAA (was clearly one of top players as evidenced by his role in FIVA) and also Q. Coleman (same).

Yeah, it's been the Hoop Summit for me as the most meaningful all star game for quite a few years now.

 

[RabidDawgClassic]

Did Coleman Hawkins clone himself? They move/dribble almost exactly the same.

The only difference is, Wabbington doesn’t stop halfway to the basket.

 

[RollChief]

This is a big-time visit!

Tifwiw, but I'm told this is Brad's favorite big regardless of class, and he and OA are going to go all out to land this kid!

They see him as Mirk 2.0, his replacement next year hopefully after he's drafted...

Wabbington is so skilled and such an elite passer, the staff would like to pair him with another big, a Center with excellent range and shot blocking ability, and keep DW at the 4 where they think he can be ultra effective in this offense!

He's more skilled than any other big they are recruiting, so this is going to be a high-level OV.

They plan to pull out all the stops on Oct. 23

I really liked watching this dude play during FIBA Americup. Was super polished for a 17 year old

 

[drsmitty74]

Did Coleman Hawkins clone himself? They move/dribble almost exactly the same.

But does he have the CH pump fake 30ft away?

 

[Illinilosch]

Quentin Coleman, The Principia School , Shooting Guard

Quentin Coleman is a 6-4, 180-pound Shooting Guard from Saint Louis, MO.

247sports.com

Will Riley, The Phelps School , Small Forward

Will Riley is a 6-8, 178-pound Small Forward from Malvern, PA. He is ranked No. 22 in the country by 247Sports. Riley is the No. 2 recruit in Malvern, PA...

247sports.com

Thank you for pointing these out, I appreciate it. My apologies if I ruffled any feathers with my wordsa few days ago.

My post was more regarding specifically the recruits that are currently in High school right now. I was just expressing excitement for all the recent official and unofficial visits we have lined up this coming Fall for the 5 star recruits.

 

[Calvin]

Respectfully, McDAA doesn’t matter much anymore and hasn’t mattered for probably 10-15 years.

There are now more national type games (Iverson etc) so McDAA no longer has a monopoly on annointing HS talent. Also somehow at some point McDAA became about less about showcasing the best players (many of whom went to blue bloods) and more about showcasing future blue bloods (who may or may not be the best players). Case in point, Morez not being named McDAA (was clearly one of top players as evidenced by his role in FIVA) and also Q. Coleman (same).

To add to this, do we really care if a guy has a 5 star recruiting ranking if he's all conference. Or better? The list of over-achieving Underwood players based on HS ranking is long and growing. My rule of thumb is having 2 NBA level guys on your roster to compete for a NC. The program is at a level where it's getting those kinds of guys and I think we'll keep knocking on the door. And realistically, there are several programs out there with a ton of $ so I think talent evaluation and value are key. Something we saw last season with a couple incredible freshman in Wagler and Mirk and could very well see again