Illinois Lands Another Verbal Commitment

July 29, 2008

1:00 P.M. CST

Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has just learned from reliable sources in Orlando that 6'10 Class of 2010 prospect Meyers Leonard from Robinson, IL has just offered Illinois coach Bruce Weber a verbal commitment. Leonard established himself on the national circuit this past summer at the NIKE Jamboree for Underclassmen in St. Louis and also turned heads with his obvious potential at the Reebok All-American Camp in Philadelphia, where Illinois coaches Bruce Weber and Jay Price watched all of his games. 

Weber and Assistant Coach Jerrance Howard were all decked out in orange and blue to watch Leonard play for Ramey Basketball in Las Vegas, and Leonard has clicked with the Illini coaches ever since they became involved with him. Growing up in Robinson, IL, Leonard has been a lifelong Illini fan and when they started expressing interest in him, it was just a matter of time before he offered up a commitment.

Leonard is a big kid cut from a similar mold as current Illini Mike Tisdale and Bill Cole. He can run the floor, step out and hit the 15 footer, and can score in the post. However, he needs added upper body strength and a meaner streak on he boards. He has tons of defensive potential due to quick feet and an incredible reach. Big men have been few and far between in  Illinois recently, so when Weber realized he could land one that was good enough for the Illini, he jumped at the chance. 

When one considers that Illinois' Class of 2009 recruitment is loaded with guards and one power forward, it was obvious that Illinois' attention in 2010 would turn to a big man if they could land one. The Illini look to be a force for the next few years in the Big Ten with great depth up front and a solid group of athletic guards. Look now for the Illini to target a pure point guard and a wing forward. Leonard joins 6'7 Jereme Richmond from Waukegan (H.S.) IL and 6'4 Crandall Head from Chicago (Crane) IL as 2010 Illinois recruiting commitments, and it is no doubt that this Illinois class could end up as a top 5 or better recruiting class in the nation. You add that to the Class of 2009 recruits coming in, and Illinois looks to be in good shape for at least a few more years as an elite program not only in the Big Ten, but also the nation.

Finally, there are not too many coaching staffs better than Illinois in terms of quickly turning a potential negative day into a positive one. After learning that an arrest warrant is out for 6'3 Jamar Smith for violation of his probationary terms, it is learned that the commitment from Leonard came in. Thus, the Illini Nation can rest more comfortably today! The Illini Nation can check out their newest recruit when Robinson plays in the Champaign News-Gazette Shootout in December at the Assembly Hall.

 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.