Recruiting Notebook
Time to dive into the latest happenings around the state of Illinois in our Recruiting Notebook! You know the drill! Let’s look at the latest across the state! Top Metro East Senior Ray’Sean Taylor Stays Home Collinsville 2020 point…
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Continue ReadingTime to dive into the latest happenings around the state of Illinois in our Recruiting Notebook! You know the drill! Let’s look at the latest across the state!
Top Metro East Senior Ray’Sean Taylor Stays Home
Collinsville 2020 point guard Ray’Sean Taylor is a top 15 prospect in the state and was a player that SIU-Edwardsville could not let get out of their backyard. They went all out and got the commitment they needed from Taylor who had a ceremony at his school. He told us why SIUE was the school for him. “They were my choice because Coach Barone made me a priority and I have a great relationship with every coach and it’s a great family atmosphere.” Impact scoring point guard that will thrive in the OVC.
Former Normal West product Headed to Temple
The other big commitment from the week was an out of state player, but one familiar to Illinois prep fans. Quincy Ademokoya is a long and rangy small forward that moved south to play the second half of his prep career after starting off at Normal West. The current Norcross (GA) standout told PHI he will be playing his college basketball at Temple. “Temple was my choice because of the overall feeling when I was up there. It felt like home and the coaching staff and players brought me in with open arms and I knew it was the place to be.”
Jeremiah Williams Keeping Recruitment Low Key
One of the top players remaining on the board it doesn’t sound like we will be getting a decision from anytime soon. Simeon 2020 small forward Jeremiah Williams has taken official visits to Akron and Valparaiso along with an unofficial to Southern Illinois. Williams says he has been focusing on his game ahead of his senior season instead of his recruitment. This one is looking like it will go past the early signing period at this stage.
Josh Holmes Chats Lewis Visit and More
De La Salle shooting guard Josh Holmes is one of the top sharp shooters still on the board. The rangy guard updated us on the latest with his recruitment, “In contact with Nebraska-Omaha, Gannon, and Lewis. Just took a visit to Lewis two weeks ago.” How was that trip to Lewis? “I really liked the coaching staff. Coach Trost is really good at getting players to the next level and he really preached the opportunities that his program has.” Holmes says he plans to play the season out and not sign early.
Luke Scheffers Has Wide Array of Options
Scheffers is a smooth lead guard from St. Charles North that makes excellent decisions as a passer and is a knock down shooter. He talked about his college options. “Recruiting is going well. I have offers from Northern Illinois University and Lewis University. I also have visits planned or am in contact and considering Western Illinois, Cal Poly, Grand Valley State University, Davenport University, Wheaton College, Hope College, and Calvin University. There are some other colleges that recently have been contacting me or have visited my open gyms. My goal is to find the best fit.” What colleges has he made visits to? “I recently visited Northern Illinois University and Wheaton College. I have scheduled visits with Grand Valley State University and Calvin University later this month.” On his visit to NIU he said, “I really liked the energy they brought to their workouts. It was a great atmosphere to be around.”
Marcus Skeete Updates D2 and D3 Recruitment
Waubonsie Valley physical left handed wing Marcus Skeete is a prospect that is going to make a college coach very happy at the next level. Improved as a shot maker and plays with strength around the hoop. “My recruitment is not bad. I have gotten some attention from D3 and D2 level schools. Visited John Carroll last week and that went well.” Some of the schools he is hearing from include Drury, Wabash College, and Minnesota Duluth. How was his visit to John Carroll? “The coaching staff was very welcoming to my family and I. They have a great business program that I am very interested in. Overall the coach really likes me and it’s a great school.”
Matthew Ambrose Dives into Recruitment
Stevenson 2020 shooting guard Matthew Ambrose is primed for a monster senior season. High level shot maker that has improved his ball handling. He discussed where his recruitment stands at this stage, “Right now I’m in the process of visiting multiple schools and trying to cut down my list of schools. Lewis, Indianapolis, McKendree, Winona State, St. Cloud State, and Hillsdale have all offered. I took unofficials to Lewis and Winona State a while back. Also just recently took an unofficial to Hillsdale as well. Then the only visit I have taken was to Indianapolis. But I may take some other official visits in the next couple weeks. A couple other schools like Le Moyne have been in communication as well.” Does he plan to sign in November? “Not too sure. Going to sign when I feel the time is right.”
Ryan Sroka Visiting UAB and Talks Other Interest
Huntley shooting guard Ryan Sroka tells PHI that he has an official visit to UAB this weekend where he will take a look at what they have to offer him as a preferred walk on. He dove deeper into his recruitment. “D3 schools making me a priority are UW Oshkosh, Illinois Wesleyan, and Augustana College. I have three D2 offers from Quincy, McKendree, and Lewis. University of Indy is very interested and having me soon. UAB has offered me a preferred walk on spot with some interest from Valpo and UW-Milwaukee.” Any other visits? “Yea I’ve taken overnights to Wesleyan and Augie. Taken an unofficial to Lewis and to McKendree. I might be taking an official visit to Quincy on October 25-26.”
Christian Czerniak Talks Latest
A player that broke out this summer with All-In Athletics was St. Charles North point guard Christian Czerniak. High IQ guard that makes shots. He chatted with us about his recruitment saying, “I got an offer from McKendree. I went on a visit to Earlham. Might go on a visit to Knox College soon. A couple more schools as well.” He spoke about his visit to McKendree where he landed an offer from the D2 program. “For McKendree I really liked the campus. Loved the coaching staff. The players there were very nice. Overall just a great atmosphere. Coaches really believe in me. They talked a lot about my passing and how I come off the pick and roll. Showed me a former player that was good at pick and roll also. The head coach was at my open gym a couple weeks ago.” How was the Earlham visit? “For Earlham the campus was stunning. Loved the coaching staff as well. The head coach was at my open gym last week. One of my high school teammates Colin was on a visit there as well. Met a great professor there that’s been there a while. Loved that visit in general.”
Casey Nsamba Discusses D2 Looks
Winnebago 2020 small forward Casey Nsamba emerged this spring on the travel team circuit with the Illinois Badgers with his athleticism and ability to change the game on both ends of the floor. He told us where things stand with his plans for the next level. “Recruiting has been slow. Only three schools like Barry University and Arkansas Tech both D2s have been keeping an eye on me and Rock Valley as well. But I’m guessing it’s going to blow up when the season starts. I plan to have an amazing one.” He says that prep school could also be an option after his senior season.
Daulton Burgner Coveted Small College Recruit
Belleville Althoff 2020 small forward Daulton Burgner is a skilled three man with the ability to knock down shots and use his toughness as well. He told us on his recruitment, “I have visited Roosevelt University, Henderson State, Millikin, and Elmhurst. Elmhurst has offered me. Monmouth and Wisconsin Lutheran want me to come visit.” He is in no rush to make a call and will wait until the season is over to make a commitment.
Nick Smoldt Updates Process
Plainfield East 2020 shooting guard Nick Smoldt is a rangy two guard with length that makes an impact on both ends of the floor. He is a plus mid-range shooter that can defend multiple positions. Smoldt tells PHI, “I’ve been talking to St. Norbert and North Central and been on visits to both. Recently started talking to IIT.”
Illinois Wolves 2021 Duo Land Offers
This past week a pair of talented Illinois Wolves travel teammates scored offers. Louis Lesmond visited Santa Clara out west and received an offer. Lesmond is a sharp shooting wing with size from Niles Notre Dame. Mundelein junior point guard Conor Enright is tough as nails and works well in ball screens. He landed an offer from Southern Illinois.
Hoops Intensity Training 2021 Pair Visit Wisconsin Green Bay
Two 2021 prospects that are about to explode this high school season visited Wisconsin-Green Bay together over the weekend. Oswego East 2021 wing Odin Lium is a lengthy wing with plus size and an outstanding jump shot. DePaul Prep center Brian Mathews is the #3 center in the class with his strength, rebounding, and touch around the hoop.
Illini to Host In-State Prospects This Weekend
The University of Illinois will have a pair of younger prospects on campus this Saturday. The headliner will be #3 overall 2021 Morgan Park shooting guard Brandon Weston. Weston originally planned to trip to Champaign this past weekend, but told PHI he will now head down this weekend instead. This is an interesting prospect as he could very well reclass at the end of the season to 2020, but as of now remains a junior. A younger prospect that will be on campus is Tuscola 2022 point guard Jalen Quinn. Combo guard from central Illinois that has created a buzz after his play early in this high school career.