Commitment Corner: Early October

<p>Its been a bit since we did a recruiting update on the top seniors in the state.  Here PHI looks at the D1 and D2 senior commitments along with a top 2023 from around the state over the last few weeks!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>Class of 2022</u></strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="771516" first="AJ" last="Casey"] (Whitney Young)</strong></p> <p>Casey made his call on Friday committing to Miami.  The Hurricanes jumped in late with the Dolphins star, got him on campus, and secured his commitment.  Casey is a skilled and athletic four man that brings versatility on both ends of the floor.  He will be the leader of Whitney Young this season and is primed for a big senior season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863631" first="NJ" last="Benson"] (Mt. Vernon)</strong></p> <p>Benson is the top prospect from southern Illinois in the class of 2022.  Physical and athletic five man that became a priority mid-major target especially in the Missouri Valley.  He chose Missouri State over a host of MVC programs.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1106926" first="Justin" last="Mullins"] (OPRF)</strong></p> <p>Mullins is a small forward that had a monster summer with OPRF and July on the Prep Hoops Circuit.  Brings versatility on both ends of the floor.  That drew a ton of mid-major programs into his recruitment.  Denver recruited him very hard and secured his commitment.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="996060" first="Caden" last="Pierce"] (Glenbard West)</strong></p> <p>Glenbard West shooting guard is one of the more skilled wings that can play on or off the ball.  He has elevated his stock over the last year and will be a key player on the potential preseason #1 team.  Princeton secured the commitment from the top 20 prospect.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="925184" first="Damari" last="Wheeler-Thomas"] (Larkin)</strong></p> <p>Wheeler-Thomas is a point guard that breaks down defenders off the bounce, has an excellent mid-range game, and gets after it on defense.  North Dakota State jumped all over him getting him on campus, offering, and landing the verbal all in a few weeks.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863630" first="Ethan" last="Ivan"] (Batavia)</strong></p> <p>Ivan had a great summer with HIT and there was one program that was there every single game.  It paid off as Wisconsin-Parkside scored his commitment.  Ivan is a pick and pop four that stretches the floor and has a back to the basket game where he converts at a high rate.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="925217" first="Kolby" last="Gilles"] (St. Ignatius)</strong></p> <p>Gilles seemed all set to head to a D2 program after he boosted his stock this summer.  The high-motor and productive power forward then got a call from Air Force.  Visit out west, offer, and a couple days later the St. Ignatius standout was headed to Air Force.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>Class of 2023</u></strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="989265" first="Owen" last="Freeman"] (Bradley Bourbonnais)</strong></p> <p>Freeman sets toward the top of the board when it comes to big men in the class of 2023.  Skilled, athletic, and has a good frame. What we like about him is how well he rebounds, blocks shots, quick moves down low, and his ability to stretch the floor.  After an array of Midwest visits over the last few months he opted for the Iowa Hawkeyes!</p>