Recruiting Report: Devin Blake (2016)

<p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Downers Grove North 2016 small forward <strong>Devin Blake</strong> is a power 6’5” wing that plays with a tremendous motor and passion for the game.  He is a versatile defender that can guard on the wing, but also be tough on the interior.  Blake rebounds very well for his size using his strength and quickness on the glass.  Offensively his jump shot is streaky.  He makes up for it with his tenacity on the interior using his quickness to score against bigger defenders.  Also is an underrated passer in the open floor.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">We spoke with Blake about his experience at the recent PrepHoopsIllinois Combine.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“It has been nice.  The coaches have been nice.  It seems like a lot of good guys here.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The senior talked about open gyms and fall league in preparation for his final high school season.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“It has been fun.  Our team is looking really good.  The teams in our fall league aren’t that good, but it has been fun to play with the guys and start meshing together.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">He updated us on where his recruitment stands.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“I have some D3, NAIA, and JUCO schools looking at me.  I have been taking some visits.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Two programs he has taken visits too.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“I have visited Roosevelt and Blackburn.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">What stands out about Roosevelt?</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“It is in Chicago.  It is fun.  There are a lot of schools surrounding it.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Blackburn is the other program he has taken a trip too.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“Small environment.  Education wise it is nice because it seems like they care about the students and they aren’t going to let you fail.  Overall it is like a community instead of like you are on your own in college.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">He discussed a timeline for when he would like to make a decision.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">“I will probably wait until the season is over.  I feel I will get a lot more as the season goes on.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Mercury Elite 17U standout will be a great fit at the D3 or NAIA level for the program that lands him!</span></span></p>