Justin Fox Recruiting Update (2017)
Justin Fox is a hot name this week. “Dwight’s Justin Fox lands a scholarship offer from Judson (University) after receiving two JuCo scholarship offers ,” said Mercury Elite AAU Director of Recruitment Brandon Ruggles. The information reached PrepHoopsIllinois.com December 29th.…
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Continue ReadingJustin Fox is a hot name this week.
“Dwight’s Justin Fox lands a scholarship offer from Judson (University) after receiving two JuCo scholarship offers ,” said Mercury Elite AAU Director of Recruitment Brandon Ruggles.
The information reached PrepHoopsIllinois.com December 29th. Less than an hour later Coach Ruggles augmented the good news with more of the same.
“Also, Fox just received an offer from Governor’s State,” said Coach Ruggles.
Later the same day Illinois State extended a preferred walk-on option.
The entire recruiting landscape of Fox changed in a day, but it was not happenstance.
Earned Ascendance
As a senior for Dwight Township, Fox is averaging over 30 points per game.
“Very tough, strong, great scorer at all three levels, high level rebounder who uses his body very well,” said Coach Ruggles.
Fox is pulling down “14 rpg, I think am around 13 (rpg) actually.”
While defending the wing, Fox loves to collect the ball and push it.
“My strengths on the court are versatility,” said Fox. “I have been working on expanding my range. Getting double-teamed I have to scoot back. A lot of it is fast breaks. Just getting the board and taking it coast to coast. Just not letting the defense get set up.”
He handles well for 6-foot-5 and projects as a wing. Fox uses his big strides to separate from smaller defenders. Of course he will excel with more breakdown moves.
They will merge well with his vision. He already pick his spots to exploit the defense.
“I look for any holes at all,” said Fox. “Right when I get that rebound, in that back of mind, I just want to push it as fast as possible.”
On the other hand, selecting a college will be a protracted process.
For Fox an ideal school would embrace his 4.0 GPA and encourage further success in the classroom.
Options
For Fox the doors are opening.
Judson University is led by first-year Head Coach Brian Thrift.
The Governor’s State offer is unique in that Governor’s State recently enhanced their image and their athletic program.
Last year they earned membership into the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, as a seven-sport member of the NAIA.
“It just joined the NAIA two years ago maybe,” said Fox. “They are a developing team right now. I used to play AAU over there (near New Lenox).”
The school’s composition is curious. Unlike the traditional institution, housing predominately 18-24 year olds, Governor’s State instructs many adult professionals. Two years ago 69.9% of the students were female. Only 30.6% fall in that 18-24 age bracket.
Fox is already familiar with GSU, as former high school teammate and friend Drew Travers attends.
Travers is not playing this year though after a season-ending injury.
Illinois State plays D1 in the Missouri Valley Conference, but is walking on something Fox wants to embark upon?
“I was really intrigued when I got that opportunity in general,” said Fox. “Just the fact of being able to play at a high level and the chance to earn a scholarship in the future.”
The preferred walk-on idea ISU is offering does come with a stipulation.
“They said they would redshirt me my first year and see how I develop as a player,” said Fox. “If I don’t like it, then I could transfer.”
The way ISU laid it out Fox could work on the weights and physical development for a season, and because he would be a non-scholarship player the year would not be burned.
“They see me as a potential person earning a scholarship in the future,” said Fox. “I won’t use a year of eligibility coming in as a walk-on.”
JuCo
Junior college is a pathway some players fall into out of necessity. Others use the option as a conduit to bigger schools.
Whether or not Justin will deeply consider JuCo’s the schools are presenting their case.
Eastern Wyoming and Lakeland College (IL) offered. He is not setting up unofficial visits to any college just yet though.
Actions tend to speak loudest about a player’s interest.
“I went to Western (Illinois) awhile ago,” said Fox. “I haven’t taken too many visits yet. I am going to take more visits towards the end of the season.”
The possibilities are mounting. When the perfect opportunity arrives he might pounce, but the current mindset seems to be patient evaluation.
“It is all new to me,” said Fox. “I haven’t been in this situation before.”
With continued production and the passage of time, Fox is certain to conjure added offers.
“I am open to anything right now,” said Fox. “(JuCo) is in the mix. I am not for sure what route I want to take right now. I am open to it.”