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With The Summer Rapidly Drawing To A Close, The Votes Are All In And It Is Time To Present Illinois Prep Bulls-Eye's End Of Summer Awards. Find Out Who All Of The Recipients Are By Reading Our Latest Blog Which Can Be Found At The Chicago Sun-Times High School Sports Web Site. It Can Be Accessed At http://blogs.suntimes.com/illinois.
Nik Garcia Will Not Enroll At Evanston--Will Attend Prep School Instead--College Commitment Forthcoming
The trend continues with respect to prospects from the state of Illinois opting to head for prep school in lieu of staying in high school for their senior season. The latest to exercise this option is Nik Garcia, who will be attending a North Carolina prep school as opposed to transferring to Evanston Township High School as many thought he would. It also means that Garcia could be ready to close out his recruitment as well. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has all of the particulars in this story.
Latest Recruiting Blurbs
This edition of our recruiting blurbs is a bit different than usual and has a little bit of everything, as we offer analysis on the recruitment of both Chris Colvin and Matt Vogrich as well as report the latest offers to come the way of some of the top underclass prospects from the Rising Stars traveling team program. It can all be found by clicking on the above link.
Illinois State Recruiting Roll Continues
We told everyone just a couple of days ago that Illinois State head coach Tim Jankovich and his assistants were not done when it came to recruiting prospects from the class of 2009 and sure enough we were right on the money. The Redbirds capped off an absolutely stellar recruiting week by receiving their fourth commitment from the class in the form of a tall and athletic wing from Chicago. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye fills everyone in with the particulars in this blog.
Northern Iowa Lands Chicago Area Combo Guard
There is no question that the University of Northern Iowa coaching staff continues to do an outstanding job when it comes to recruiting prospects from the Chicago area, especially from the Illinois Wolves traveling team. This is evidenced by the fact that today Panther head coach Ben Jacobson secured a commitment from a talented combo guard who plays for the Wolves. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more in this story.
Illinois State Continues Outstanding Recruiting Week With Third Commitment From Class Of 2009
Illinois State head coach Tim Jankovich landed an outstanding inaugural recruiting class for 2008 and is now on the verge of turning in another banner one in the class of 2009. The Redbirds picked up their third commitment from that class tonight in the form of a high scoring point guard from Chicago. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has further details in this story.
Analysis And Commentary: D.J. Richardson
Other analysts have already hinted that D.J. Richardson's decision to leave Peoria Central for Findlay Prep in Nevada makes for another dark day with respect to Illinois high school basketball. However, we will take it a step further and as is often the case say what others are afraid to say--we think it is yet another classic example of why the NCAA needs to implement further academic reform. In this commentary, not only does Illinois Prep Bulls-eye tell you why we say that, but we also outline a proposal that we think could go a long way in this regard.
Update: Tony Nixon
After some extremely strong performances on the traveling team circuit with the Mac Irvin Fire 17-Under squad during July, there is no question that Tony Nixon is a hot commodity. In this update, Illinois Prep Bulls-eye fills everyone in on the latest schools to come forward with offers, as well as a school that is no longer in the running.
More Offers Pour In
Players from the Rising Stars Gold 16-Under AAU program are receiving as much recruiting attention as any traveling team in Illinois, which is why it is no surprise that several of them have recently received additional scholarship offers. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the latest courtesy of Rising Stars C.E.O. Mike Weinstein in this update.
Campus Visits And Scholarship Offers Continue To Accelerate
Even though the July evaluation period is now history, there is still no time for rest, as the number of campus visits, scholarship offers and verbal commitments continue to pick up at an ever-increasing rate. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye takes a look at the latest recruiting efforts of several D1 programs in Illinois in this update.
Oregon State Lands Commitment From Chicago Point Guard
We told everyone that Oregon State has been hitting Chicago extremely hard on the recruiting trail, and the hard work of head coach Craig Robinson and his assistants is already paying off, as the Beavers have received a commitment from a most unheralded point guard from the class of 2010. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the complete lowdown in this story.
Jordan Prosser Commits
Jordan Prosser was beginning to run out of recruiting options, as many of his suitors have already filled their scholarship needs. However, in the end, he ended up deciding on the local favorite that had been true to him from the beginning. As a result, Prosser is now off the board. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more on Prosser's commitment in this story.
Team NLP Gives Boo Williams All It Can Handle In 17-Under Nationals Sweet 16
Illinois Prep Bulls-eye is ending its coverage of the July evaluation period at the17-Under AAU Nationals in Orlando, and were once again impressed with the effort of Team NLP against national powerhouse Boo Williams. Find out who looked good, as well as other recruiting tidbits and comments in this report.
Four Illinois Teams Advance To Final 32 Of 17-Under Nationals
One of the reasons we love covering the 17-Under AAU Nationals in Orlando is because of all the sleepers and under the radar guys we get to see and appreciate. You add that to one of the top national fields in recent memory, and it has been a great week in Orlando. Find out who we saw and liked in day three, as well as some more recruiting tidbits, in this report.
Illinois lands another Verbal Commitment
University Of Illinois head coach Bruce Weber landed his coveted big man for the Class of 2010. Find out who it is and read all the details as to the significance of the commitment in this article.
Latest Recruiting Blurbs from Orlando and Elsewhere
The action is getting heated on the recruiting front as two high profile SEC teams are getting involved with Lenzelle Smith, while the recruitment of Matt Vogrich is going through the roof. Find out all of the details and more in this latest report.
Two Team NLP Squads Among 5 Illinois Teams In Championship Bracket Of 17-Under Nationals
Team NLP's two teams both went 3-0 in pool play, as did the Illinois Stars and Rising Stars Gold, while Old Gold went 2-1 and also made the championsip bracket. Find out who played well, as well as comments on the Rising Stars Gold 16-Under's game right here.
Illinois Warriors Fall Just Short At 17-Under Super Showcase While Rising Stars Gold And Team NLP Dominate Pool Play Games In Orlando
The Illinois Warriors fought hard in a tough loss to Athletes First, but fell just short, while sleepers helped the Rising Stars Gold and Team NLP prevail in opening 17-under pool play games in Orlando. Find out who the sleepers were in ths report. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye offers some further insight in this story.
Class Of 2013 Player Watch: Jabari Parker
It is rare when we do a player watch article on anyone who has yet to play a high school game, but Jabari Parker is an exception to the rule. Simply put, Jabari is not your typical 8th grader. With an outstanding work ethic and a maturity level that is greater than most players his age, we believe that he has the complete package both on and off the court. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye lets everyone know all the the things that have gone into making Jabari successful in this story.
Class Of 2011 Player Watch: Jacob Williams
It is really saying something when a rising sophomore leads his high school team to the championship of a summer league that is loaded with talent, but that is exactly what St. Patrick's Jacob Williams did when we watched him in action at the Oak Park Summer League last week. In doing so, we believe that Williams has put himself on the map as one of the state's top prospects in the class of 2011. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye breaks down Williams' game even further in this class of 2011 player watch.
Scholarship Offers Already Starting To Roll In
We predicted that several prospects from Illinois would begin receiving additional scholarship offers during the July evaluation period, and as it turns out they are already starting to fall into place. In this update, Illinois Prep Bulls-eye lets everyone know which players have recently been offered and which schools have come forward.
Recruiting News From NIKE Peach Jam And Beyond
We gathered so much recruiting information during our time spent at the NIKE Peach Jam in North Augusta, SC that it reads like an encyclopedia. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye provides all of the latest news concerning prospects from Illinois who attended the Peach Jam as well as a couple of others, which can be found by clicking on the above link.
Crandall Head To Attend Crane
Wow, talk about a shocker! After it was initially believed that Crandall Head would be transferring to North Lawndale, the University Of Illinois commit has instead decided to enroll at a West Side high school with a long tradition of producing top-flight guards. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the latest in this update.
NIKE Peach Jam Stock Raisers
While D.J. Richardson and Marcus Jordan were in a class by themselves with their performances at the NIKE Peach Jam, there were several other players from Illinois who clearly raised their stock as the result of their solid play. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye lets everyone know who those players were in this report.
D.J. Richardson, Marcus Jordan Take Their Game To An Elite Level At NIKE Peach Jam
Few if any events during the July evaluation period provide a bigger national stage for high school basketball players than the NIKE Peach Jam in North Augusta, SC. No two players from Illinois responded to the spotlight better throughout the entire course of the event than D.J. Richardson and Marcus Jordan. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye offers thoughts on their games as well as first-hand analysis of their performances at Peach Jam in this report.
Report From Reebok All-American Camp: Chris Colvin, Lenzelle Smith, Wayne Blackshear Among Early Standouts From Illinois
A most reliable source with an outstanding eye for talent and who has no biases or political ties checks in with a report on the top prospects from Illinois at the Reebok All-American Camp thus far. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye summarizes his analysis in this update.
Next Level Invitational Stock Raisers
While there was plenty of talent from Illinois on hand at the Next Level Invitational, there were three players who ended up helping themselves the most. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the story on those players, as well as plenty of other notes from our time spent at this event, which can all be found by clicking the above link.
Editor's Note: Our list of college programs that were in attendance for this event has been updated to reflect those schools that were present on the two days after we left.
Kevin Berardini: The Epitomy Of A Student-Athlete
It is always refreshing to see someone who truly gets it with respect to the recruiting process, and that is undoubtedly the case with Lake Forest's Kevin Berardini, who recently completed an extensive East Coast tour which included visits to a number of Ivy League and Patriot League schools. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more on Berardini's visits and even more importantly lets everyone know why he fits the description of a student-athlete to a tee.
Dyricus Simms-Edwards, Anthony Shoemaker, Tremell Owens Among First Day Standouts At Morris Shootout
We always enjoy opening our July event coverage with a stop at the Morris Shootout, and this year's edition once again featured a number of unheralded teams and players. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye offers a synopsis of the top performers from the first day of action as well as some additional notes in this story.
Cully Payne Commits To SEC School
So much for Cully Payne reopening his recruitment. Just two weeks after announcing that he had decommitted from DePaul, the 6'1 guard immediately offered up a commitment to an SEC program after visiting their campus this past weekend. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the lowdown in this story.
Class Of 2009 Stock Raiser: Seth Evans
Several players enhanced their reputations with solid performances at this year's Riverside-Brookfield Summer Shootout, but perhaps none more so than Seneca's Seth Evans. In this report, Illinois Prep Bulls-eye breaks down all of the factors which have enabled Evans to elevate his game.
Northwestern Lands A Huge Commitment
Northwestern head coach Bill Carmody filled a huge recruiting need today by receiving a commitment from a skilled in-state post player who had been one of their top priorities from the beginning. As it turns out, the impact of this commitment is going to come much sooner than most people realize. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye explains why in this story.
Class Of 2011 Player Watch: Tracy Abrams
Let us cut through the chase and make one thing abundantly clear right now. Mt. Carmel freshman Tracy Abrams is as good as any other guard in the state of Illinois from the class of 2011. You name 'em--Donivine Stewart, Jay Parker, Ryan Boatright--after watching Abrams turn in a terrific performance in the Class 4A Sectional at Proviso East, there is no doubt in our mind that he can play with any of them. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more on Abrams' game and why he has emerged as one of the elite underclassmen in Illinois in this story.
Diamond Taylor Off The Board
Players from the Illinois Wolves AAU program have had a history of offering up early commitments. The latest to continue that trend is Diamond Taylor, who decided to end his recruitment last night by committing to a Big Ten school. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye provides further insight in this story.
Class Of 2011 Player Watch: Jay Parker
When it comes to top players in Illinois from the class of 2011, Thornton Township's Jay Parker might not be as nationally known as De LaSalle's Mike Shaw, Curie's Wayne Blackshear or even East Aurora's Ryan Boatright. However, anyone who has watched Parker since he was moved up to varsity earlier in the season knows that he can play. With that being said, we have no doubt that Parker is going to become even more popular on the national radar come this spring and summer. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye breaks down Parker's game and offers further analysis in this story.
Cooley Commits To Notre Dame
Rumors had been spreading that 6'9 junior Jack Cooley from Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, IL was going to commit soon, and sure enough, those rumors came to fruition as Cooley gave the University of Notre Dame and Mike Brey a verbal commitment. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has all of the details behind Cooley's decision in this story.
Class Of 2009 Player Watch: John Taylor
Since playing his first game at North Lawndale a week and a half ago, John Taylor has had a huge impact on his team's success. While he is still relatively unknown outside of local circles, after watching him last weekend at the Martin Luther King Dream Classic we are confident in saying that Taylor can play with any of the top guards in the state from the class of 2009. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye breaks down Taylor's game in this story.
Class Of 2009 Player Watch: Dyricus Simms-Edwards
Dyricus Simms-Edwards has been one of the most talked about players in the Peoria area so far this season. On that note, Illinois Prep Bulls-eye decided to check him out at this year's Pekin Holiday Tournament. We came away saying that he is certainly worthy of all the pub that he has been receiving. In this story, we offer our complete assessment of Simms-Edwards' game and ability.
Wisconsin-Green Bay Lands 2009 Guard Prospect From Illinois
Wisconsin-Green Bay head coach Tod Kowalczyk and his assistants continue to do an outstanding job of recruiting the state of Illinois. Their latest efforts have resulted in a commitment from an unheralded class of 2009 point guard from central Illinois. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the skinny in this report.
Class Of 2010 Player Watch: Lenzelle Smith
We told everyone to watch out for Zion-Benton as one of the best high school basketball teams in Illinois this season, and a big reason why is 6'3 sophomore Lenzelle Smith, who was outstanding when we watched him recently at the Lane Tech Thanksgiving Tournament. In this story, Illinois Prep Bulls-eye describes Smith's game and tells everyone why he helps make Zion-Benton perhaps the premier team in Chicago's north suburbs.
Bertrand Becomes Illini's Third Class Of 2009 Commitment
We can't think of a coach in recent memory that has had one day be more successful recruiting-wise than the University Of Illinois' Bruce Weber. The Illini head coach secured his third in-state commitment from the class of 2009 tonight when Sterling's Joseph Bertrand decided to pull the trigger. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the latest in this story.
Illini Receive Two Huge Class Of 2009 Commitments
Once again, anyone out there still want to say that Bruce Weber can't recruit? Within the span of 24 hours, the head coach at the University Of Illinois has received verbal commitments from two of the top in-state prospects in the class of 2009 and in doing so has sent a loud and clear message to critics. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has all you need to know about both commitments in this story.
Class Of 2010 Player Watch: Lavonte Dority
The class of 2010 in Illinois continues to grow stronger at the top and another reason why is 6'1 point guard Lavonte Dority . Illinois Prep Bulls-eye got an extensive look at Dority's game at the Illinois Spot-lite Fall Shootout and we comment on everything that he brings to the table in this story.
Class Of 2010 Player Watch: Anthony Johnson
The more we watch 6'2 sophomore guard Anthony Johnson in action, the more we like him. It is therefore no surprise that based on his performance at the 17-Under National AAU Championship in Orlando this past week Johnson confirmed yet again that he is clearly one of the top prospects in Illinois from the class of 2010. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more on Johnson's game and everything that he brings to the table in this story.
Illinois Lands Commitment From Top Class Of 2010 Prospect
University of Illinois head coach Bruce Weber has decided to move quickly in order to try to erase the sting of losing out on top class of 2007 prospects Eric Gordon and Derrick Rose . The early result? This morning Weber was able to receive a verbal commitment from the top in-state prospect from the class of 2010, a move which could pay huge dividends down the road. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye fills everyone in with this story.
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