#HardWorkSZN Kickoff: Illinois Recruiting Notebook

The Prep Hoops Circuit began in the Midwest with the #HardWorkSZN Kickoff in Appleton, Wisconsin. It had a ton of talent on display. PHI caught up with a few of the Illinois prospects to get updates in our #HardWorkSZN Kickoff: Recruiting Notebook!   [player_tooltip player_id="765212" first="Ismail" last="Habib"] (Illinois Future 17U) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Ismail-Habib-Ridgewood.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1013407" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Ismail-Habib-Ridgewood-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>It was an impressive outing for the jet quick point guard at the #HardWorkdSZN Kickoff. The St. Laurence point guard transferred over from Lincoln Park for his senior campaign. What you have to like about him is his speed and shot making. Currently he holds offers from UIC, Detroit, UW-Green Bay, and Austin Peay. Programs showing interest include Colorado State, Arkansas State, SIU-Edwardsville, and Eastern Illinois. Austin Peay has been contacting him a lot lately he says. He looks forward to taking visits once the NCAA allows.     [player_tooltip player_id="765217" first="KJ" last="Debrick"] (Illinois Hoopstars 17U) [caption id="attachment_1013408" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/KJ-Debrick-Fitz-3.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1013408" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/KJ-Debrick-Fitz-3-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Photo: Chris Fitzgerald, PrepHoops[/caption] Debrick had a great event for the Illinois Hoopstars. The center anchored on the defensive end with his shot blocking and defense. Offensive skills keep improving. Recently picked up his first offer from Marist. Another school that has been in regular contact is Mount St. Mary’s. Other programs that are showing interest include Kent State, Florida Atlantic, College of Charleston, South Dakota State, Miami (OH), and NJIT.     [player_tooltip player_id="821756" first="Jeffrey" last="Oakley"] (Team M.O.R.E. 17U) [caption id="attachment_1013409" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Jeffery-Oakley-FHC.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1013409" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Jeffery-Oakley-FHC-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Photo: Max Wagner, PrepHoops[/caption] Oakley is a slashing and athletic two way wing that has D1 ability. He tells us he is in communication with Southern Illinois, UW-Milwaukee, and UIC. No offers to this point. Oakley will be attending Corliss this season after transferring from Persepctives.         [player_tooltip player_id="821741" first="Grant" last="Johnson"] (HIT 17U) [caption id="attachment_1013410" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Grant-Johnson-Fitz-4.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1013410" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Grant-Johnson-Fitz-4-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Photo: Chris Fitzgerald, PrepHoops[/caption] This Naperville North power forward put together a nice weekend. Skilled shooter that can space the floor and flashed some improvement athletically. No offers currently, but he has been in contact the most with Washington University, Macalester, Lawrence, and West Florida. Other programs that have been in touch include University of Chicago, Carnegie Mellon, Williams College, Case Western, and Grinnell. He has also spoken to some degree with Denison, Loras, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Illinois Wesleyan. What about Zoom calls and virtual visits this spring/summer? “I have had Zoom calls with Macalester, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Washington University. I have also done a virtual tour and film session with the Wash U coaches and I was able to visit Lawrence University in person this past weekend.”   [player_tooltip player_id="920966" first="Tyler" last="Van Eekeren"] (HIT 17U) [caption id="attachment_1013414" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Tyler-Van-Eekeren-Fitz-3.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1013414" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Tyler-Van-Eekeren-Fitz-3-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Photo: Chris Fitzgerald, PrepHoops[/caption] The Benet wing had the best weekend of his career. Consistently put it on the deck and scored at the rim while still knocking down his usual spot up threes. Currently doesn’t have any offers. He is talking the most right now with Washington University, UW-Oshkosh, Lawrence University, University of Chicago, University of Indianapolis, Emporia State, and Hillsdale.       [player_tooltip player_id="920991" first="James" last="Ogrodnik"] (Illinois T-Wolves 17U) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Illinois-TWolves-17U-James-Ogrodnik-2.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1013167" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Illinois-TWolves-17U-James-Ogrodnik-2-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>Ogrodnik is a skilled five man from Lincoln Way Central that can stretch the floor and proved to have bounce around the cup. Definitely elevated his stock with a strong performance at the event. On his recruitment he said the two schools he is hearing from right now are Wisconsin Plateville and Loras. Expect more to get involved with his stock on the rise.       [player_tooltip player_id="821824" first="Caleb" last="Corro"] (Sharks Basketball Academy 17U) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Caleb-Corro.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1013418" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Caleb-Corro-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>Corro is a high IQ and crafty point guard from St. Patrick that plays the game with an advanced feel. Gets others involved and can score himself when needed. He tells PHI that he is been talking with D2 Wisconsin Parkside a lot. Also in contact with Hope College and Loras. Loyola New Orleans is another school that has checked in.