2021 Tuesday: Recruiting Updates

<p>What is the latest in the state of Illinois with the recruitments of some of the top rising seniors?  We look at that here in our <strong>2021 Tuesday: Recruiting Updates</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920941" first="Isaiah" last="Barnes"] (Simeon)</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/Isaiah-Barnes-UAA.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1005629" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/Isaiah-Barnes-UAA-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>The recruit that caused the most buzz this spring was Barnes.  He went from one high major offer to double digits in the matter of a month.  Also made news transferring over to Simeon for his senior campaign.  Last week he made his college choice picking Michigan over a host of other big time programs.  The Wolverines are getting a bouncy wing with an improved jumper that has upside!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="821735" first="Ben" last="Schwieger"] (Waubonsie Valley)</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/Ben-Schwieger-1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1005630" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/Ben-Schwieger-1-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>Schwieger is another prospect that has seen his stock rise without playing a game.  High level shot maker that has bounce finishing around the hoop.  When it comes to his recruitment he says he holds offers from Robert Morris, IUPUI, UC Riverside, Loyola, UW-Milwaukee, William &amp; Mary, and Southern Illinois.  Also receiving interest from Belmont, Butler, Creighton, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois State, Miami (OH), and Appalachian State.  So what schools are making him the biggest priority?  “Of the schools that have offered Loyola, UIC, William &amp; Mary, Robert Morris, and SIU.”  He has done Zoom calls with William &amp; Mary, UIC, Loyola, SIU, UW-Milwaukee, St. Thomas, and Belmont.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="995969" first="Bennie" last="Slater"] (Springfield)</strong></p> <p>Slater is an intriguing 6’5” point-forward type player that can really pass and brings versatility to the table.  On the recruiting front he has no offers at this point, but the schools in the most regular contact are Tulsa, Purdue, and Miami (OH).  Others to show interest include Loyola Marymount, Loyola Chicago, Southern Illinois, Illinois Springfield, Bradley, Eastern Illinois, Illinois State, SIU-Edwardsville, Colorado State, Wofford, and Florida Gulf Coast.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920951" first="Odin" last="Lium"] (Oswego East)</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/Odin-Lium-Havoc.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1005631" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/Odin-Lium-Havoc-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>Lium brings perimeter shooting to the table along with sneaky athleticism.  Currently has no offers, but is in talks with Emporia State, Loras, UW-Platteville, Brandeis, University of Indianapolis, and Indiana Wesleyan.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920965" first="Jaylen" last="Bryson"] (Champaign Centennial)</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/Jaylen-Bryson-Summer.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1005632" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/Jaylen-Bryson-Summer-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>Bryson is an upside big man that has length, size, and some intriguing tools.  He tells us his only offer at this point comes from UMass.  On that program he said, “I think they are a great college and they said they like that I was a mobile center and have a lot of potential.”  He has also been in talks with Cleveland State.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920962" first="Jordan" last="Rice"] (Rock Island)</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/Jordan-Rice.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1005633" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/Jordan-Rice-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>Rice is a smaller guard that makes up for it with his speed, dynamic ball handling, and leadership.  Landed first offer from Illinois-Springfield on Tuesday! Indianapolis, St. Thomas, Concordia St. Paul, North Dakota, South Dakota State, Northwest Missouri State, West Florida, Loras, Minnesota State, Elon, and Columbia are showing interest.  According to Rice the programs making him feel like the biggest priority are Indianapolis, North Dakota, South Dakota State, St. Thomas, Illinois-Springfield, and West Florida.  To date he has conducted Zoom calls or virtual visits with Loras and St. Thomas.  He plans on visiting Illinois Springfield June 30.  In mid-July he is looking to get out to Concordia St. Paul for a visit.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920967" first="Donald" last="Coats"] (Thornton)</strong></p> <p>This Thornton forward is a prospect that has tools which project to the next level with his ability to get on the glass, rim run, and knock down shots.  Played his role to perfection last season.  Look for him to explode as a senior.  No offers at this point, but he has heard from NJIT, Chicago State, SIU-Edwardsville, VMI, Missouri Southern, Indianapolis, Illinois-Springfield, George Washington, and Marist.</p>