Recruiting Notebook
This weekend’s Recruiting Notebook is absolutely LOADED! Tons of commitments across the state of Illinois and key visits for some of the top uncommitted prospects on the board. We break it all down here! Commitment Wrap DJ Steward to…
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Continue ReadingThis weekend’s Recruiting Notebook is absolutely LOADED! Tons of commitments across the state of Illinois and key visits for some of the top uncommitted prospects on the board. We break it all down here!
Commitment Wrap
DJ Steward to Duke
We kick off our commitment wrap with a big one as Whitney Young’s star DJ Steward made his call. The 2020 combo guard took visits to Louisville and Texas, but in the end Duke won out after an official visit to Durham. The ACC power went four deep at an open gym and then followed that up with a strong visit to secure the guard. He will bring much needed backcourt shooting and scoring to the Blue Devils program right from the jump.
Darius Burford to Elon
Bolingbrook 2020 combo guard Darius Burford had a strong spring and summer with Team Rose along with his high school squad. This kid can really score the basketball from multiple levels with a high level of athleticism. He took a visit to Elon and saw all he needed shortly after committing to their program. Impact player at that level.
Bennett Kwiecinski to Siena
Loyola power forward Bennett Kwiecinski saw his brother Jordan commit to Drake a few weeks back. Then it was his turn to make a call. The skilled four man who can stretch the floor and put it on the deck a little decided Siena was the place for him after a visit. He told PHI, “I picked Siena because I loved the school and I felt like I really fit in with the coaches and players. It was a good academic fit. The team and the entire staff are great people.”
Nate Shockey to North Dakota
North Dakota landed their point guard of the future in Nate Shockey. The York point guard took his game to new heights in June with his high school team garnering interest from D1 schools including North Dakota. This past week he decided that was where his future home will be. Plus shooter that has a high basketball IQ. Great example of how the new high school live periods in June can elevate a player’s recruitment.
Jack Weber to Illinois-Springfield
El Paso Gridley 2020 Jack Weber is a skilled lefty power forward that has quality strength. He is crafty down low in the post, can really pass, and is a solid mid-range shooter. On his commitment he told PHI, “It’s close to home and it’s just a good fit for me. I won’t have to worry about where I’m going to college. I can just focus on my senior year of high school ball.” He joins Niles Notre Dame’s Jason Bergstrom in UIS’ class.
Grant Coleman to Wisconsin Milwaukee
One of the surprise commitments recently was Mahomet Seymour combo forward Grant Coleman to UW-Milwaukee which went down on Monday. We hadn’t seen him since last fall as he played for an out of state travel team in Indiana Elite North. Coleman emerged on radars at the NCAA Camp in Champaign. He is a 6’7” face up four man that has a nose for the basketball. Mobility allows him to be effective in the pick and roll along with pick and pop game. Improved his all-around scoring game according to those who have seen him recently.
Visit Tour
Top 5 Duo Take High Major Trips
Two of the top 2020 prospects in the state had big visits this weekend. Morgan Park combo guard Adam Miller took his third official visit overall and first one outside of the state of Arizona as he previously tripped to Pac 12 programs Arizona and Arizona State. This time he took the two hour drive south to Champaign to see Illinois. Miller is the top player on the Illini’s board and they have made him a priority for three years. Illinois is looking for him to replace another Morgan Park star guard Ayo Dosunmu as he is expected to leave for the NBA after this season. It is looking like Miller will either play in-state for the Illini or in the Pac 12 for the Sun Devils or Wildcats. Another high-major visit this past weekend was Xavier hosting the state’s top big man in Bloom’s Martice Mitchell. The #5 overall prospect in the state is a high upside prospect that has mobility, rim protecting ability, and can stretch the floor with his shooting. Things have been quiet on his recruitment lately and this is the first official visit he has taken.
Dante Maddox Talks Recent Visits, One More to Go
One of the top scorers left on the board is Dante Maddox from Bloom. The microwave scoring two guard who ranks #13 overall in 2020 took a visit over the weekend to Missouri State and spoke with PrepHoopsIllinois about what stood out about the MVC program saying, “How excited everyone is about this basketball season. The coaches and fans believe they will win the MVC. I also think that Dana Ford is an up and coming star as a head coach.” The previous weekend he tripped out west to Cal State Fullerton. On that trip he said, “They have a very strong coaching staff. Coach Deitrick Taylor is a great leader and the two assistants from Nevada are great. Overall staff is very strong in developing players who want to be future pros.” Those two visits are in addition to a previous one to Kent State. What is next for him? “I head to Toledo Friday and I will come back and most likely make my decision by the following Friday.” He told us what he will be looking for in a program. “The best fit that can help me accomplish my goal as a professional basketball player and a sports broadcaster when I am done playing.”
Aquan Smart Updates Latest, Close to Making Call
Niles North 2020 combo guard Aquan Smart saw his stock soar with a strong spring and summer on the travel team circuit as well as with his high school team in June. Smart took an official visit to Florida International over the weekend. On the trip he told us, “What stood out was the coaches and the way they treated me and my family. I liked the pro style they play in.” He had previously planned on visiting UAB, but that visit was cancelled after they landed another commitment at the guard spot. He visited East Tennessee State earlier in the month and on that trip he said, “I enjoyed the family environment they presented and they made me feel like their own. They said I would play and be used like their freshman guard from last year.” Smart currently checks in at #9 overall in the PHI 2020 Rankings. He also tells us that his recruitment is nearing a conclusion saying, “I’m looking to make a decision soon.”
Metro East Star Visits Local Program, More Visits on the Way
Collinsville 2020 point guard Ray’Sean Taylor could be the star of the metro east this upcoming season. The #16 overall prospect is a dynamic scoring guard that can get buckets from all three levels as well as make others around him better. This past weekend he visited SIU-Edwardsville officially and broke it down with PHI. “I liked the family like atmosphere and the breakdown of where they need me. The program stands out because they have a new coaching staff and AD that have history of changing programs and I’m confident they can do that.” What would it mean to be the hometown hero? “It could bring more attendance and they’ll welcome me with open arms.” Next up Taylor will visit Indiana State this weekend officially and follow that up with a trip to Wisconsin-Milwaukee on October 12-14. Those are the only visits he has planned at this time.
Bogan Star Talks NJIT Visit and Has Another Lined Up
Bogan 2020 small forward Kyndall Davis is a big wing that can change the game on both ends of the floor. He checks in at #17 overall in the 2020 class. Recently Davis visited NJIT for his first official visit. He told us about the trip! “It was a great experience for my family and I. I loved the energy between the players and coaches which was big for me and everybody made me feel at home and treated me well when I was there.” He says that he plans on visiting LIU-Brooklyn this upcoming weekend and will trip to Ball State sometime in October. Other schools to check in on him during open gyms have included Valpo, Northwestern, Southern Illinois, SIU-Edwardsville, and Central Michigan.