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Bobo Drummond Opts For Horizon League School
Once Antonio "Bobo" Drummond obtained his release from Southern Illinois University a certain Horizon League school immediately jumped to the forefront of his recruitment. And from that point forward their coaching staff was able to utilize its strong connections with Drummond's Illinois Wolves traveling team. As a result, they have succeeded in closing the deal and Drummond is now off the board on the final day of the Spring signing period. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the lowdown on Drummond's commitment in this story.
Kory Brown Commits To Summit League School
Elgin's Kory Brown knew that if he remained patient and continued working hard that a D1 offer would ultimately come his way. Not only did that prove to be the case, but in the end Brown also realized the importance of loyalty, which is why he has offered up a commitment to the school that was the first D1 to offer a scholarship. As a result, he will be playing his college basketball in the Summit League. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the skinny behind Brown's commitment in this story.
Who Is The Best Shooting Wing In Illinois From 2013? It's Up For Debate
There are a number of great shooting wing forwards in Illinois from the 2013 class. At the present time we believe that there are three who stand above the rest. But is there any one of those three who you can call the best shooter? In this report, Illinois Prep Bulls-eye compares and contrasts the skill sets of these players and offers up an answer to that question.
Lexus Williams Commits To Horizon League School
After receiving his first D1 scholarship offer, Marist's Lexus Williams decided there was no need to drag out his recruitment any longer. Simply put, the school that offered has everything that Williams is looking for both basketball-wise and academically and he therefore sees it as being an ideal fit. As a result, Williams will be playing his college basketball in the Horizon League. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the news concerning Williams' commitment in this story.
Charles Matthews And Andrew McAuliffe Add Scholarship Offers
Although only a freshman, St. Rita's Charles Matthews has turned more than a few heads so far this Spring as the result of his strong play on the traveling team circuit. The result? He has now accumulated a total of three D1 offers with the most recent ones coming courtesy of schools in the Big East and the Big Ten. Meanwhile, Glenbrook North's Andrew McAuliffe has bounced back in impressive fashion after missing most of last season due to injury. McAuliffe's hard work is being recognized as well, as he has added two more scholarship offers to his collection. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the latest on which schools have come forward to Matthews and McAuliffe in this update.
Ton Of Recent Small College Commitments in Illinois
With the Spring signing period in full force, plenty more small college commitments at all levels of play continue to come in with respect to Illinois-based recruits. The most notable are a series of commitments in the CCIW Conference, as well as Morton's Rocco Belcaster to an in-state D2 school. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye fills everyone in with this update.
Orris Will Reunite With Weber At Kansas State
Make no mistake about it--the bond between Bruce Weber and Michael Orris is as strong as any that we have seen between a coach and a player in quite some time. Therefore, once Orris reopened his recruitment after receiving his release from the University Of Illinois it didn't take him long to set up an official visit. Having completed that two weeks ago, it is absolutely no surprise that Orris has once again joined forces with Weber, this time in the Big 12. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the skinny on Orris ending his recruiting process once and for all in this story.
McLaurin Transfers To Illinois Plus Some Thoughts On Crandall Head
University Of Illinois head coach John Groce is now two for two when it comes to his pursuit of transfers. That is because Sam McLaurin has decided to play his final season of college basketball in Champaign, where he will be a post-grad. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the news on that and also offers up some commentary on the never-ending soap opera concerning Crandall Head's attempt to find a new D1 school.
Ben Moore Adds Two Horizon League Scholarship Offers
There is no question that Bolingbrook's Ben Moore has gone from hidden gem to a bonafide mid-major prospect. For further proof, look no further than his outstanding play throughout the Spring traveling team season thus far. Moore's efforts have resulted in him landing a couple more scholarship offers, both courtesy of schools in the Horizon League. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the latest in this update.
Robert Knar Closes It Out By Committing To Missouri Valley Conference School
Many observers believe that Mundelein's Robert Knar is a perfect fit for the offensive system that is employed by a certain Missouri Valley Conference program. And seeing as though that school has long been regarded the leader for Knar's college services, it is absolutely no surprise that Knar has decided to end his recruitment by offering up a commitment. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more on where Knar will be playing in the Missouri Valley in this story.
A.J. Riley Adds Scholarship Offers From Colonial Athletic Association And Horizon League Programs
Peoria Manual's A.J. Riley continues to leave a lasting impression every time he takes the court. His performance at this past weekend's Philly Jamfest was no exception, as he led his Illinois Wolves 17-under squad to the tournament championship. In doing so, Riley added yet two more scholarship offers to what is already a thorough collection. The latest offers come courtesy of Colonial Athletic Association and Horizon League programs. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has further specifics in this update.
Weinstein Still Going Strong With New Traveling Team
Although he is now operating independently make no mistake about it--Mike Weinstein remains an influential force with respect to traveling team basketball in Illinois. We had the opportunity to watch his new traveling team called Fundamental University debut last weekend at the Adidas Best Buy Spring Classic in Minneapolis. The team features plenty of talented prospects, which is why it enjoyed a most successful run at that event. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye takes a closer look at some of the squad's top players as well as Weinstein's current focus in this report.
Rayvonte Rice Transfers To Big Ten School
After Rayvonte Rice decided to transfer from Drake University he immediately scheduled a couple of official visits. In the end, the most important criteria in his quest to find a new school were the desire to stay close to home and play college basketball at the highest level. As a result he is headed to a Big Ten school. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has all of the details behind Rice's transfer in this story.
Marlon Johnson And Trey Kellum Offer Up Commitments
Two of the better forwards in Illinois from the 2012 class are now off the board as Joliet West's Marlon Johnson and Peoria Central's Trey Kellum have closed out their recruitments. Johnson will be going the JUCO route while Kellum becomes the second Illinois-based 2012 recruit for a MEAC program. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has all the news in this story.
Class Of 2013 Stock Raiser: Kendall Pollard
After the first live weekend of the Spring recruiting period, no player in Illinois enhanced his stock more at the opening session of the NIKE EYBL than Simeon's Kendall Pollard. Simply put, he turned in an outstanding weekend and is therefore beginning to attract widespread recruiting attention. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye breaks down Pollard's game and lets everyone know why he undoubtedly qualifies as a stock raiser in this report.
Northwestern, DePaul And Purdue Extend Scholarship Offers To Illinois Wolves Prospects
With the first live weekend of the Spring recruiting period in the books, it was inevitable that scholarship offers would begin to pour in for many of the top recruits in Illinois. One traveling team program that is undoubtedly reaping the rewards is the Illinois Wolves, as a couple of Big Ten programs and a Big East school have stepped up to the plate with offers to various Wolves prospects. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye lets everyone know who the beneficiaries are in this update.
Lewis University And Illinois-Springfield Add 2012 Commitments
It may sound like a broken record, but both Lewis University head coach Scott Trost and University Of Illinois-Springfield head coach Ben Wierzba continue to do outstanding jobs when it comes to recruiting in-state talent. Therefore, it is hardly a surprise that each of them have added most significant commitments to their 2012 recruiting classes. Both commits are good enough to have played at the low D1 level. Trost and the Flyers received a pledge from their fifth 2012 big man, while Wierzba and the Prairie Stars landed a steal in the form of a versatile guard from Chicago's west suburbs. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the goods in this story.
Akeem Springs Commits To MAC School
When Waukegan's Akeem Springs obtained his release from Mississippi Valley State a couple of months ago he immediately started thinking that his recruitment would be better served by staying close to home. After taking some time to think things through he has decided to do just that. As a result, Springs is now off the board for good, as he has opted for a MAC program that should undoubtedly prove to be a great fit. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the lowdown in this story.
Nebraska Offers A Trio Of Prospects From The Mac Irvin Fire
The University Of Nebraska and head coach Tim Miles hosted a slew of talented recruits who play for the Mac Irvin Fire traveling team this weekend. With that being the case, we knew that more than a few of them were bound to come away with scholarship offers before they left the Lincoln campus. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye lets everyone know who the recipients were in this update.
Analysis And Commentary: Illini Recruiting Will Be Fine Without Jerrance Howard
Now that it has been made public that Jerrance Howard will not be a part of John Groce's coaching staff at Illinois next season, a countless number of people are still wondering what if any effect this will have on Illini basketball recruiting. We are here to tell everyone that everything is fine. In fact the early returns since Groce's arrival in Champaign have been nothing but positive and indicate that exciting times lie ahead. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more on that and the reasons why supporters of the Illini men's basketball program should be excited rather than skeptical when it comes to future recruiting success.
Editor's Note: This story has since been updated to reflect new information that we have obtained concerning who the final assistant coach will be on John Groce's staff at Illinois.
Tommy Kleinschmidt Coming Home To Gordon Tech
For the first time in a long time basketball fans and alums at Gordon Tech High School have reason to be excited. That is because one of their own and a household name not only at Gordon Tech but also throughout the entire Chicago Catholic League will be the school's new varsity boy's basketball coach beginning next season. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the breaking news in this update.
Kyle Nelson Highlights A Ton Of D2 Commitments In Illinois
With the Spring signing period just around the corner, plenty of D2 commitments continue to come in with respect to 2012 prospects in Illinois. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye takes a look at all of the recent activity in this area, with St. Charles north's Kyle Nelson heading the list.
Dissecting The Illini Coaching "Process": John Groce, His Staff And Impact On Recruiting
There are very few basketball insiders in Illinois who understand everything everything that new University Of Illinois head coach John Groce brings to the table any better than Illinois Prep Bulls-eye. At the same time, we also understand how important the rest of Groce's staff will be when it comes to the future sucess of the Illini men's basketball program, especially from a recruiting standpoint. With all of this in mind, Illinois Prep Bulls-eye breaks down the hiring of Groce even further by taking a look back at the "process" and then moving forward and analyzing the potential makeup of the new coaching staff and where the recruiting focus should lie. All of that can be found in this report.
Jabari Parker Named Mr. Basketball In Illinois
We said all along that selecting Simeon's Jabari Parker as this year's winner of Mr. Basketball in Illinois was an absolute no-brainer. After all, he is the top high school basketball prospect in the nation from the 2013 class and has also won three straight high school state championships. It is therefore only fitting that Parker won the state's 2012 Mr. Basketball award in a landslide and in doing so made some history. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more in this report.
Florida A&M Lands Commitment From Chicago 2-Guard Plus Some Small College Recruiting News
The coaching staff at Florida A&M has long been serious about recruiting the Chicago area and it is paying dividends. That is because Rattlers head coach Clement Johnson has succeeded in receiving a commitment from an unheralded off-guard from Chicago's west side who has a "tough as nails" mentality. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the news on that as well as a couple of notable small school commitments in this update.
Valpo Picks Up A Huge Transfer--David Cohn Adds Horizon League Scholarship Offer
The Horizon League remains most busy on the recruiting trail in the state of Illinois. That is because in his quest to land a point guard out of Chicago, Valparaiso head coach Bryce Drew struck gold by receiving a big time commitment from a player who transferred from the Big East. At the same time, York Township 2013 guard David Cohn has nabbed his fourth scholarship offer from a Horizon League program. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has all the details in this story.
Class 4A State Championship Game Lives Up To The Hype--Simeon Makes History And Sterling Brown Makes A Statement
Those who are seeking a better understanding of what Illinois high school basketball is all about need to look no further than the 2012 Class 4A state championship contest between Simeon and Proviso East. That is because the game had it all, including high levels of drama and intensity and non-stop excitement. When it was all over, Simeon sealed its fate as one of the all-time best high school basketball teams in state history by achieving a three-peat and Proviso East's Sterling Brown confirmed that he is a marquee player whose stock is skyrocketing. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has final thoughts on the Simeon-Proviso East battle and heaps further praise on Brown in this story.
Editor's Note: Sure enough, Sterling Brown is already starting to draw increased recruiting attention as the result of his performance vs. Simeon. As a result, he has added a scholarship offer courtesy of a Big Ten school. Be sure to click on the above link to find out who it is.
Drake Lands Commitment From High Scoring 2012 Guard
Drake head coach Mark Phelps was definitely looking to add a versatile scoring guard with size to his 2012 recruiting class. As it turns out, Phelps has landed the player he was targeting in that area, as he was able to dip into Chicago's North Shore and land a commitment from a back court performer who has tremendous scoring ability and was one of the better unsigned guards in Illinois from 2012 heading into the Spring signing period. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the lowdown in this story.
Class Of 2012 Hidden Gem: Brandon Book Plus A D2 Commitment
Since the Illinois High School Basketball Association went to the four class system with respect to its state tournament, the class 2A finals have had a penchant for turning out a player who has fallen through the cracks yet is a legitimate D1 prospect. This year Breese Central's Brandon Book is that player. After leading his team to the 2A championship with a pair of spectacular performances, Book just might be a player that more than a few D1s with an opening might want to pay close attention to come the Spring signing period. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more on this hidden gem along with news on a notable commitment for a D2 program in this entry.
Brian Greene Jr. Commits To SEC School
We are always happy when Illinois-based recruits make the most of an opportunity once they decide to head elsewhere and a player who has done just that is Brian Greene Jr, who has enjoyd an outstanding season at IMG Academy. As a result of his hard work, Greene will be playing college basketball at the high major level next season, as he is headed to the SEC. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has further details in this story.
David Cohn Receives Horizon League Scholarship Offer On The Spot
You know that a recruit is red-hot when he gets offered a D1 scholarship on the spot. That is exactly what happened with York Township's David Cohn, who picked up a Horizon League offer after the school's head coach watched him turn in an outstanding performance in a key conference showdown. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has further details in this report.
Class Of 2014 Player Watch: Tyquone Greer
Orr's Tyquone Greer has been turning heads with his strong play since the start of the Illinois high school basketball season and in doing so has shown that he could be among the elite prospects in Illinois from the 2014 class. We will say this much--there may not be a more athletic player from amongst that group. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more on Greer's game and what makes him so intriguing in this player watch.
Jalen James Transfers To LaLumiere Academy
University Of Illinois commit Jalen James has decided to do what he feels is in his best interests from an academic standpoint. As a result, James has left Hope Academy in Chicago and will be attending prep school. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more specifics in this update.
Class Of 2014 Player Watch: Ore Arogundade
St. Viator's Ore Arogundade is a player who has definitely fallen under the radar when it comes to talking about top wing prospects in Illinois from the 2014 class. Having started the season off strong thus far, including turning in impressive outings at the Wheeling Hardwood Classic, we have a feeling that Arogundade's reputation is going to start growing. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye explains why in this player watch.
Class Of 2015 Player Watch: Jalen Brunson
There are several talented guard prospects in the state of Illinois from the class of 2015. However, we are convinced that there are none better than Stevenson's Jalen Brunson after watching him turn in a solid performance at the Wheeling Hardwood Classic. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more on Brunson's game and why he is such an attractive underclass prospect in this player watch.
Class Of 2013 Hidden Gem: Miki Ljuboja
Curie's Cliff Alexander and Farragut's Rashaun Stimage were the big names coming into yesterday's Team Rose Classic, but it wasn't long before everyone was talking about the play of Riverside-Brookfield's Miki Ljuboja. And rightfully so, as Ljuboja showed that he is a definite D1 prospect from the 2013 class in Illinois. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more on Ljuboja's game in this hidden gem story and includes some additional notes from the Team Rose Classic.
Top Available Spring Recruits In Illinois From 2012 Class
The Fall signing period has come and gone but there are more than a few Illinois-based prospects from the class of 2012 who are still on the board. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye takes a look at the top 2012 recruits from the Land Of Lincoln who will be available come Spring time in this report.
Class Of 2014 Player Watch: Tyler Ulis
He may only be 5'8, but Marian Catholic's Tyler Ulis stepped up in a big way this past week at the Chicago Heights Thanksgiving Classic. In doing so, Ulis proved to us that he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath with all of the elite guard prospects in Illinois from the 2014 class. In this player watch, Illinois Prep Bulls-eye breaks down Ulis' game and explains why he is a high major prospect.
Philipe Rech: The Best Player In Illinois Nobody Knows About?
Philipe Rech may just be the best kept secret amongst 2013 prospects in the state of Illinois. That is because the foreign import has only been in the U.S. for about three months and was recently ruled eligible at a high school in the deep south region of the state. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye provides some background on Rech and everything that he brings to the table in this report.
Editor's Note: This entry has since been updated to reflect new information concerning Rech's eligibility status.
Class Of 2013 Hidden Gem: Ben Moore
Bolingbrook's Ben Moore burst onto the scene this Fall with his strong play in open gym sessions. As a result, he currently has a scholarship offer on the table and is also attracting widespread interest from several other D1 and D2 programs. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has a closer look at Moore's game in this hidden gem story.
Banner Recruiting Weekend At University Of Illinois Culminates With 2013 Commitment From In-State 2-Guard
If this weekend's recruiting festivities at the University Of Illinois could be compared to a game of "Jeopardy!" then Bruce Weber and the Illini hit a true daily double. That is because fresh on the heels of landing a commitment from a 2012 point guard, they followed it up by receiving a pledge from an in-state shooting guard who had become their top recruiting priority at that position in the 2013 class. In doing so Weber and his staff were able to put the icing on the cake to what has resulted in a stellar weekend recruiting-wise. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye elaborates further with respect to the latest Illini commitment in this story.
Recruiting At Loyola-Chicago Is In A Euphoric State As Porter Moser Lands His First 2013 Commit
What is going on recruiting-wise at Loyola-Chicago is absolutely insane and we mean that in a most complimentary way. We say that because new Ramblers head coach Porter Moser and his staff have now received a total of five commitments this month. They added to their stellar recruiting arsenal tonight by securing their first commitment in the 2013 class in the form of a talented in-state guard from Chicago's west suburbs. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the details in this story.
Class Of 2013 Stock Raiser: Nathan Taphorn
Yes, the 16-Under Illinois Wolves have several high major guards from the loaded 2013 class in Illinois. However, there have been several other players who have been just as instrumental in the team's success thus far. One who definitely fits that description is Pekin's Nathan Taphorn , who may have put himself on the map after an outstanding performance at the Bill Hensley Memorial Run 'n Slam All-Star Classic. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye provides a breakdown of Taphorn's game in this stock-raiser story.
Class Of 2015 Player Watch: Jordan Ash
Those who know us realize that we seldom tout prospects who are only in eighth grade and when we do it is because we see that player as being truly special. There is no question that 5'11 guard Jordan Ash falls into that category. That is because Ash has been nothing short of electrifying since the spring started while playing on the traveling team circuit for the 15-Under Illinois Wolves. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye breaks down all of the things that make Ash a marquee underclass talent in this player watch.
Billy Garrett Jr. Does The Expected And Commits To Big East School
It was widely believed that Morgan Park's Billy Garrett Jr. would make his college decision by the beginning of this summer. As it turns out, the class of 2013 guard is off the board even sooner. That is because Garrett Jr. has closed things out by committing to a Big East school, the choice of which comes as no surprise to anybody in the basketball world. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has all of the particulars behind Garrett Jr's commitment in this story.
Kendall Stephens Decides To End It Early--Commits To Big Ten School
It was pretty much a foregone conclusion that once Kendall Stephens received the scholarship offer that he was looking for from a certain Big Ten school that he would be off the board quickly. With the offer having become a reality not long ago, Stephens decided not to waste any more time and has verbally committed to that program. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye fills everyone in with the particulars in this story.
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