January 20, 2010

4:15 P.M. CST

Once again proving that there is never a dull moment when it comes to high school basketball recruiting in the city of Chicago, especially in the Chicago Public League, the following is all of the significant recruiting news that we have gathered of late as it pertains to prospects not only in the Windy City, but throughout the state of Illinois.

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The multitude of mopes that frequent internet message boards will inevitably jump all over us for what we are about to say, but we don't care.  We wish to emphasize that we were never questioning the accuracy of a previous report from a Chicago-based media pundit claiming that the verbal commitment made by 6'5 class of 2011 forward Wayne Blackshear to the University Of Louisville could be "soft," despite the fact that Blackshear's stepfather Kevin Thomas has since refuted that notion by publicly stating that the commitment remains solid.  As far as we are concerned, that is not the issue.

As we alluded to previously, we have a much bigger problem with the entire manner in which the reporter chose to go about breaking the news on a possible soft commitment on account of his story lacking any solid foundation and refusing to reference any viable sources in an even indirect fashion.  There is no doubt that was done to protect the people who are believed to be running the show when it comes to Blackshear's recruitment.  With all of that in mind, here is what we have since learned with respect to what is REALLY going on as it relates to Blackshear's commitment and what others don't want you to know.

We have confirmed through representatives from at least three other schools recruiting Blackshear that the prized underclassman (who is our #1 ranked prospect in Illinois from the class of 2011) placed phone calls to them AFTER he announced his commitment to Louisville on Christmas Day to let them know that "he would still consider other options" and that despite the commitment he was "still keeping all doors open."  There is also a strong possibility that other schools were contacted as well, although that has not been verified.

These same sources have also told us that the reason why those in control of Blackshear's recruitment are handling the situation this way is because they are seeking additional incentives which have not been provided and in all probability never will be.  However, that won't stop these people from continuing to seek them.

We also find it interesting that sources close to the recruitment of 6'7 class of 2011 forward Mike Shaw from De LaSalle Institute in Chicago have told us that Shaw's family, particularly his older brother, is trying to take more control of his recruitment.  Consequently, a definite power struggle exists between the family and those who are currently the most influential powers behind Shaw's recruitment (the same powers who are in charge of Blackshear's recruitment).  Shaw plays on the same traveling team as Blackshear and is also one of the top ranked prospects in the state from the 2011 class.  Assuming that the handlers don't get what they are looking for when it comes to either Blackshear or Shaw, don't be surprised if Blackshear remains a Louisville recruit when the dust clears.  That is why we continue to stand by our belief that the alleged package deal that is being sought for Blackshear and Shaw will not take place.

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Abdel Nader, the 6'7 class of 2011 forward from Niles North High School in Skokie, IL is enjoying a strong season after coming back from a broken wrist which he suffered during the fall.  Nader is currently averaging 21 ppg and recently put up 42 points in a contest versus Willowbrook.  According to a source close to the situation, Nader has received a scholarship offer from Baylor University and has also gotten strong interest from Illinois State, Southern Illinois, New Mexico, Creighton and Oregon State among others.

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Quan Conner, the 6'2 point guard from Waukegan Township High School in Waukegan, IL is receiving a variety of recruiting attention at all college levels.  He has gotten D1 interest from Ball State University and is also being recruited at the D2 level by Southern Indiana.  The JUCO route could also be a viable option for Conner, and with that being said there are also a number of in-state JUCOS who remain in the recruiting picture.

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Despite losing out on George Marshall, the 5'11 point guard from Brooks College Prep in Chicago who committed last night to the University Of Wisconsin, the list of in-state prospects in the class of 2011 that Illinois State University is involved with are endless.  It includes Nader; 6'5 forward Mycheal Henry from Orr High School in Chicago; 6'5 forward James Crockett from Crete-Monee High School in Monee, IL; 6'1 guard Macari Brooks from Rich South High School in Richton Park, IL; 6'2 guard Will Sullivan from York Township High School in Elmhurst, IL; 6'3 guard Hayden Hoerdemann from Bloomington Central Catholic High School in Bloomington, IL and 6'7 forward Luke Hager from Whitney Young High School in Chicago.

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Staying on the subject of Wisconsin, allow us to restate what we said in our story regarding Marshall's commitment--Bo Ryan and the Badger coaching staff continue to recruit 6'2 class of 2011 combo guard Chasson Randle extremely hard.  With two scholarships remaining in their 2011 recruiting class, there is no question that the Badgers would gladly take both Marshall and Randle as members of their future back court.  However, while Marshall's decision came quickly, it is worth repeating that we still believe that Randle is a ways away from pulling the trigger, as he is still in the process of weighing all of his options.  In addition to Wisconsin, Illinois, Purdue, Iowa State, Iowa, Ohio State, Michigan, Florida State and Miami of Florida are all among the schools that Randle is still considering.

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Fred Van Vleet, the 5'10 point guard from Auburn High School in Rockford, IL, is still a top recruiting priority in the class of 2012 for Northern Illinois University.

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