Early Commitments Finding Right Levels
One of the biggest aspects of the recruiting and commitment game that we look at is how does the player fit into the school they are committed to attending. At PrepHoopsIllinois we give each prospect a grade on what level we think they would be best suited to play. This is regardless of who is recruiting them, but based on what we see with our own eyes. We have been pleasantly surprised to see that with the early commitments they have gone to programs that fit their grade or very close to it. Usually when this happens they stick four years without transferring and are solid contributors.
SG Javon Freeman (Whitney Young – Valpo)
Freeman is a top 10 prospect in a down 2018 class. He is coming off a strong junior year and was solid showing flashes with Meanstreets on the circuit. We gave him a MM+ grade after the summer. That is exactly the school he ended up at with Valpo. His new program has been successful with Chicago players that fit their level in the past and we feel that he will be a very good player for four years.
PG Kendle Moore (Danville – Drake)
Moore is the #3 point guard and #9 overall prospect. He is a slick scoring point guard that pushes it in transition. His grade was MM coming out of the July period. We felt the Team Rose product selecting Drake is a perfect fit for him. The MVC program is a place he should be able to shine and once he adds strength make a big impact as his career goes on.
PF Tamell Pearson (Morgan Park – UAB)
The top 2018 power forward in the state caught fire playing with the Mac Irvin Fire during July having a few big games which resulted in high-major offers. We certainly were impressed with his play in both the spring and summer especially with his improved offensive game and aggressiveness, but thought he would be best suited at a mid-major program. Despite the HM offers he chose UAB after his official visit. Great fit and they were a program that really wanted him. He will be able to contribute early in his career there.
SG Kezo Brown (Simeon – Chicago State)
The first commitment of the 2018 was a bit of a surprise. Brown came into high school as one of the top prospects (if not #1). He has had a roller coaster career with a lot of ups and downs. He had a strong junior year, but was MIA all spring and summer on the circuit. He decided to stay home and play at Chicago State. Considering everything we gave him a LM+ grade. He can play at the mid-major level based on talent, but playing at the low-major level is where we think he can do best at this stage.
SG Darius Beane (Carbondale – SIU)
This commitment seemed to be a lock for the last year or so. Beane is a talented and skilled guard that can pass, score, and defend. He flew a bit under the radar on the circuit with Gateway and didn’t land many offers. Most assumed he would join his dad and follow his brother’s footsteps at SIU. We like the fit in a place where he will be comfortable and should be a guy that emerges as a top 3 player for the Salukis during his career.
SF Sam Shafer (Lincoln Way East – SIU)
Shafer became a priority for SIU and he liked that. That is why the LWE wing popped for the Missouri Valley program. He is a plus shooter that is also a decent athlete. Good summer with Young & Reckless. Has slowly and steadily seen his stock rise over the last 12 months. Should fit into a shooting role for the Salukis and can bring a little more too.
SG Colton Sandage (Bloomington – UT Arlington)
Sandage is a plus shooter that is one of the top marksmen in the state. He broke out in the spring and continued that with Team RWA picking up a variety of low-major and D2 offers. He committed to playing for UT Arlington. We like the fit here as we had him graded out as a LM/D2+ prospect. With his ability to be a lights out shooter with sneaky athleticism he should find a rotation spot for this team during his career.