Battle at the Lakes: Illinois Recruiting Notebook

<p>This past weekend in Minnesota we were at <strong>Battle at the Lakes</strong> which is one of the top spring events in the Midwest.  PrepHoopsIllinois caught up with prospects across the state to get updates on the latest with their recruitments.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Jayden Johnson (Fundamental U 17U)</strong></p> <p>This top 10 prospect had a big weekend leading his team to the championship game of the 17U bracket.  On the recruiting front he said, “Tulsa has been in really good contact.  Belmont.  I am still waiting to get in contact with the new SIU staff (offer under old staff).  Drake, Colorado State, Lafayette, Elon, and Florida Atlantic.”</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Luke Scheffers (Fundamental U 17U)</strong></p> <p>The St. Charles North lead guard was effective early in the tournament before he went down with an injury on Sunday.  He told us “Grand Valley State wants me to come up.  I was at Lewis not too long ago.  Wheaton College came to my house for an in-home.  My coach told me Florida Atlantic is interested.”</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Connor Kochera (Fundamental U 17U)</strong></p> <p>Big weekend for this St. Viator small forward.  He updated his recruitment saying, “It has really picked up this spring.  I have picked up offers from Cleveland State and Lafayette.  I am planning on going to the east coast to visit Siena who I have been in contact with, Lafayette, Colgate, and Bucknell.  Penn is really interested.  Dartmouth and Cornell.  Boston University and Holy Cross as well.”  He also picked up an offer on Saturday night from Western Illinois.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>RJ Ogom (All-In Athletics 17U)</strong></p> <p>Dominant weekend on the interior for this Homewood Flossmoor wing.  He told us he has interest from “Southern Utah, Wisconsin Milwaukee, Wright State, and Purdue Northwest.”</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Kyndall Davis (All-In Athletics 17U)</strong></p> <p>Davis proved he could shoot it with more consistency along with his already impressive slashing.  On the trail he told PHI, “Recently I picked up an offer from IUPUI.  I have interest Drexel and Cleveland State.”</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Dominic Martinelli (All-In Athletics 17U)</strong></p> <p>The creative wing scorer told us he is in communication with “Brown, Dartmouth, and I am also looking at Loyola Maryland and Bucknell.  No offers yet.”</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Devon House (Iowa Barnstormers 17U)</strong></p> <p>House is one of the top post players in the class.  He said on his recruitment, “Western Michigan called the other day.  Omaha and Bradley have been keeping in touch.”  He holds one offer currently from Western Illinois.  What stands out about them?  “I had a great visit there and felt like I was comfortable talking to the coaches and players.  They showed me the campus.”</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Davis Walker (Team RWA 17U)</strong></p> <p>Walker is a unique situation as a true Home School player with D1 ability.  He gave us the latest saying, “I have heard from Colorado State, Utah State, North Dakota, Princeton, Wisconsin Green Bay, Western Illinois, and Drake.”  His lone offer to this point is from Western Illinois.  “Coach Wolfe is a real cool guy.  I like Coach Billy Wright.  He is a point guard so he knows how to coach point guards.”  Utah State is a school he would like to visit this summer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Aaron Tims (Team RWA 17U)</strong></p> <p>Tims is a bouncy power forward that is active on the glass.  On his recruitment he said, “Emporia State and Air Force have texted me.  I am still talking to Western Illinois and Northern Illinois.”  No offers yet.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Elijah Jones (Team RWA 17U)</strong></p> <p>Jones is an athletic two guard with the potential to make an impact on both ends of the floor.  Looking ahead to the college level he said, “I have North Dakota contacting me, Appalachian State, and Bemidji State.”</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Ramean Hinton (Team Rose 17U)</strong></p> <p>The top 10 prospect from Curie currently holds a pair of offers from Cleveland State and UAB.  He says he will be heading to a camp at Tulsa.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Darius Burford (Team Rose 17U)</strong></p> <p>Burford had a big weekend showing off his ability to play on the ball while still scoring with his athleticism.  When it comes to the next level he said, “I just got a Cleveland State offer.  Florida Atlantic, Miami (OH), North Dakota State, and South Dakota State are showing interest.”   He also has offers from Drake, Cleveland State, and Chicago State.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Aquan Smart (Pure Prep 17U)</strong></p> <p>Smart is an athletic combo guard that elevated his stock with a strong weekend.  He recently landed his first offer from Southeast Missouri State.  “They are always texting me.”  He is also in communication with Virginia Tech and UAB.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Josh Holmes (Young &amp; Reckless 17U)</strong></p> <p>Holmes is a monster perimeter scorer that can really shoot it from three with a rangy frame at the two guard spot.  On recruiting the De La Salle guard told us, “I have been talking to Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Northern Arizona, Wisconsin Green Bay, and a few other Horizon League schools.”  He plans to visit Dartmouth and Brown soon.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Elijah Watson (Young &amp; Reckless 17U)</strong></p> <p>Strong weekend for the combo forward getting to the hoop.  He said, “I have talked to Maryville, Elmhurst, and a couple others.”</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Jabari Chiphe (Young &amp; Reckless 17U)</strong></p> <p>The explosive scoring wing from Walter Payton Prep told us on the recruiting front, “I have been hearing from a lot of high academic schools.  Ivy Leagues.  High academics D3s and D2.  Wisconsin Green Bay, North Dakota, Yale, University of Chicago, Case Western, and Williams.  Loyola Maryland too.”</p>