Donivine Stewart Receives Scholarship Offer 

 March 8, 2008

4:00 P.M. CST

Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has confirmed through reliable sources that Donivine Stewart, the 5'10 freshman point guard from Limestone High School in Bartonville, IL has received a scholarship offer courtesy of the University of Illinois.  The offer was extended to Stewart by Illini head coach Bruce Weber following Illinois' Big Ten contest vs. Minnesota earlier this afternoon.

While Limestone's season is over, Stewart enjoyed a tremendous freshman campaign and there is no question that he ranks among the elite players in Illinois from the class of 2011.  The Illini coaching staff has seen Stewart play on numerous occassions this season. 

What is especially significant about the Illini's offer to Stewart is it continues the recent trend that Weber and his coaching staff have now set with respect to offering top in-state prospects early.  With that being said, we don't think that Weber is even close to being done in this regard.  We believe that 6'8 Mike Shaw from De LaSalle and 6'5 Wayne Blackshear from Curie could be offered by the Illini at any time.  Assistant coach Jay Price was also at last night's class 4A sectional final at Barrington High School between Zion-Benton and Schaumburg for the purpose of watching Zion Benton's 6'3 sophomore Lenzelle Smith.  There are a number of other top underclassmen in the state that the Illini coaching staff is keeping close tabs on as well.

Continue to check in with Illinois Prep Bulls-eye for all of the latest as it pertains to recruiting and high school basketball in Illinois.