Ridgewood Live Event: 2020 Recruiting Notebook
Over the weekend PrepHoopsIllinois covered the Ridgewood Live Event where we spoke with many of the top prospects in the state of Illinois. Here we dive into our chats with those prospects about their recruitments in our Ridgewood Live Event:…
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Continue ReadingOver the weekend PrepHoopsIllinois covered the Ridgewood Live Event where we spoke with many of the top prospects in the state of Illinois. Here we dive into our chats with those prospects about their recruitments in our Ridgewood Live Event: 2020 Recruiting Notebook!
Frank Jakubicek (Cary Grove – 2020)
Let’s kick things off with a commitment! Jakubicek landed over a half dozen offers in the last week after strong showings during the two live periods. He ended his recruitment quickly on Monday however with a commitment to Belmont where he recently visited. The post told PHI, “It is in a slightly smaller conference. They just got a new coach and I think he is going to keep the Belmont legacy going. They are all about legacy there. They recruit good guys.”
Connor Kochera (St. Viator – 2020)
Kochera got a big bump in the latest rankings update, but it might not have been enough after the way he played this weekend. College coaches are taking notice! “I have gotten a couple offers. Last weekend I got offers from Wright State, Siena, and Brown. I also picked up an offer from Wofford this weekend.” Sunday afternoon he scored another scholarship from Furman. Expect more to follow!
Keshawn Williams (Bloom – 2020)
Things are really starting to pick up for the state’s #3 overall prospect in 2020. “West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Kansas State, Boise State, and Yale have reached out. I plan on taking an official visit to Colorado State in July.” After he led his team to the title Williams scored offers from high-majors West Virginia and Kansas State.
Martice Mitchell (Bloom – 2020)
Over the weekend was the most consistent we have seen this talented big man play throughout his career. When it comes to recruiting Mitchell reports, “I have been getting calls from a lot of high-major schools. I recently went on an official visit to Rutgers. It was nice. They were very sincere about wanting me to play at their program. I am going to be going on more visits soon.” What did he like about that Rutgers visit? “That they were a family and they want their players to get to the next level.” He told us the other schools in the mix for official visits. “I want to visit Oregon. When they offer I will take a visit there.” Oregon has long been his dream school. “I like Oregon because of their playing style. They like long and mobile and versatile players. They let their players play.” What other schools making him feel like a priority? “Colorado State, Murray State, and Tulsa.”
Dante Maddox (Bloom – 2020)
It was an absolutely monster weekend for one of the top pure scorers in the class! Maddox told us on his recruitment, “I have been talking to Cornell, Princeton, and Brown. I am talking to Cincinnati, Toledo, and UIC. I am in communication with Loyola (MD). I think in July I am going to visit Cal State Fullerton.” What schools are making him a priority? “Definitely UIC. They are making me a priority. Also Toledo.” After the event Maddox has scored scholarships from Wisconsin-Green Bay and Missouri State.
Donovan Newby (Bloom – 2020)
The heart and soul of the Bloom squad led his team to the title over the weekend. When it comes to the next level he told us, “I just got an offer from SIU-Edwardsville. Utah State and South Dakota State have contacted me.” What does he like about SIUE? “I like the culture. I have to get down there and see a visit. For the coach he seems pretty cool.”
Dominic Martinelli (Glenbrook South – 2020)
Martinelli led his team to the championship game putting up dominant numbers all weekend. He told PHI, “I started talking to Albany and a couple other coaches. After making it to championship I hope it will pick up. I am going to visit some Ivy Leagues as well for camps. I am going to visit Brown and Columbia.”
Beau Frericks (Cary Grove – 2020)
Frericks continues to shoot the lights out all spring and has continued it into the summer. On the trail he says, “I have been talking to a lot of schools. NJIT was here. Wisconsin-Green Bay. A lot of D2’s. UIC and Northern Illinois have been in contact.”
Nate Shockey (York – 2020)
Shockey is a plus shooting point guard who has improved his ball handling. His recruitment is starting to heat up! “I have a couple of D2 offers from Michigan Tech and Lewis.” Over the weekend he scored offers from Albany and North Dakota. Also got an offer from D2 University of Indianapolis on a visit Monday.
Aquan Smart (Niles North – 2020)
Smart is an explosive combo guard who had a big weekend at Ridgewood. As for the next level Smart said, “I just picked up an offer from UIC. Wisconsin-Milwaukee contacted me. Wisconsin-Green Bay talked with me. South Dakota State has been on me heavy. UAB contacted me. Utah State has been on me heavy. Who is making him feel like a priority? “UIC and SEMO most definitely.” What about UIC stands out? “It is home. The coach is just like my coach. They have Dee Brown.” He also talked about SEMO. “They were the first school to offer me. They are always constantly texting me and talking to me about family and life.”
Matt Ambrose (Stevenson – 2020)
Ambrose is a coach’s son who is one of the premier shooters in the state and improving his all-around game. He told us, “I got in contact with South Dakota as they reached out. I am visiting University of Indianapolis on Tuesday. Northwest Missouri State has been in contact. I got an offer from Lewis.” What does he like about Lewis? “It is a really good program. I am familiar with them being from Illinois. High level D2 program.”
Darius Burford (Bolingbrook – 2020)
The explosive Bolingbrook combo guard had a strong showing at Ridgewood leading his guard driven team! He recently got an offer from Akron. After his performance this past weekend he recorded two more from Elon and Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Brandon Lieb (Deerfield – 2020)
The near seven foot center played well at Ridgewood and had the attention of college coaches. “I just got an offer from IUPUI. I have been talking to Tulsa, UC-Davis, Ball State, and Lehigh.” What stands out about IUPUI? “Their coaching staff has been really nice texting me all the time. I have heard great things about their program.”
Luke Scheffers (St. Charles North – 2020)
Scheffers is a smooth guard around ball screens that shoots it very well in the pull up game. He said, “Appalachian State has talked to me a lot. Been told by my coach also Florida Atlantic, Siena, and Army. Besides Lewis offer no other offers yet. Also been contacted by a ton of D2 and D3s. Looking for the best opportunity.”