Recruiting Notebook: Unsigned 2024s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As National Signing Day is fast approaching PHI caught up with several of the top uncommitted prospects in the state to see where things stand with their recruitments heading into the early signing period.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157205' first='Dekwon' last='Brown'] (Simeon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown is the top ranked combo guard in the class and checks in as a top 10 player in 2024.&nbsp; Currently holds offers from Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois, Kent State, High-point, Radford, and Robert Morris.&nbsp; He has visited Southern Illinois and UW-Milwaukee in recent months.&nbsp; He tells PHI he will not sign during the early signing period in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157209' first='Will' last='Gonzalez'] (Curie)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long and rangy wing that is a plus defender and has some unique point-forward type abilities will be impactful for Curie this season.&nbsp; He has an offer from Eastern Illinois.&nbsp; Actively talking with Cal Poly, Air Force, and a few others.&nbsp; Took trips to EIU and Wisconsin Green Bay.&nbsp; A Cal Poly visit is in the works as well.&nbsp; He will not sign during the early signing period with him eying a possible verbal commitment in mid to late December.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1764717' first='Camden' last='Cerese'] (Lake Park)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cerese was outstanding with Greater Purpose Athletics during the spring and summer on the PHC.&nbsp; Love his leadership, shot making, and how he runs a team.&nbsp; He has one offer from Lewis.&nbsp; He will be committing after the high school season is complete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285483' first='Niko' last='Newsome'] (Normal Community)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newsome is a silky smooth two guard that is going to be on one of the best teams in the state this season.&nbsp; He has offers in hand from Saginaw Valley, McKendree, and Western Illinois.&nbsp; He has taken an unofficial visit to SIU-Edwardsville along with officials to Saginaw Valley and McKendree.&nbsp; Not 100% sure on time table, but sounds like he will not sign early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1750594' first='Camden' last='Brown'] (Quincy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown is one of the biggest sleeper prospects in central Illinois.&nbsp; Two guard with size and multi-level scoring ability.&nbsp; He is currently talking to Winona State and Maryville while holding an offer from Quincy.&nbsp; He visited Maryville in September.&nbsp; He will not sign early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157222' first='JJ' last='Hernandez'] (Glenbard North)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hernandez is a bouncy power forward that excels on the defensive end with his shot blocking and using length on the perimeter.&nbsp; Elite athlete that plays above the rim offensively.&nbsp; He has no offers at this time, but is talking with several D2s and D3s including Ferris State.&nbsp; Appalachian State is also monitoring him.&nbsp; He will wait until after the season to make a call.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598740' first='Darshan' last='Thomas'] (Marist)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas is a skilled wing that can really defend and shoot it.&nbsp; Concordia, Wabash, Macalester, Central Missouri, and Indiana Northwest are in communication as well as some interest from UW-Milwaukee.&nbsp; He has taken trips to Concordia, Wabash, and Macalester this fall.&nbsp; Thomas will not sign early and wait until the season is over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295644' first='Treshawn' last='Blissett'] (Waubonsie Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blissett is a wiry scoring wing with two way potential.  He tells PHI that he will not sign early and that the soonest a decision could be made would be maybe in December.  He holds offers from D2s and small colleges Carthage, North Park, UW-Stevens Point, Loras, Elmhurst, UW Plateville, Benedictine, Augustana, Concordia, Dominican, and Knox College.  He has also received heavy interest from Eastern Illinois, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Purdue Northwestern, Illinois-Springfield, University of Indianapolis, St. Leo, Northern Michigan, UMSL, North Central, Dubuque, St. Xavier, Triton, and Morton College.  More schools have been in contact as well.  He is looking to boost his stock early in the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1978583' first='Will' last='Ashford'] (Metea Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashford is coming off a big summer with M14 and his high school team showing a versatile game on the wing. He has offers from Illinois-Springfield, Maryville, and Colorado Mesa at the D2 level. He has taken visits to all three. He will not sign early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285497' first='Luke' last='Kinkade'] (Neuqua Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kinkade is a lefty combo guard with a smooth stroke and crafty handles.&nbsp; S of right now he says he is talking to The Citadel who recently offered on an official visit.&nbsp; Also visited Lewis.&nbsp; Right now he is going to play his senior season out to see what more comes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->