2027 Recruiting Notebook: Catching Up on Commitments and Visits

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em><br><br>The class of 2027 has completed their grassroots season and now the top players in the class turn their attention to finalizing their recruitment.&nbsp; PHI caught up with some of the top uncommitted players to get the latest on their recruitment along with catching up on recent commitments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Recent Commitment</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2458187' first='J'dyn' last='Lloyd'] (Belleville West)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lloyd recently made his commitment to Missouri State.&nbsp; They are getting the top senior in the metro east who is a big and physical scoring wing that showed more growth as an all-around player with a strong June.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2540188' first='Ryan' last='Howard'] (Alton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howard is a prospect that has consistently flown under the radar throughout the process, but we have always been a fan of this flame thrower for the Redbirds.&nbsp; Long and angular wing committed to SIU-Edwardsville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125641' first='Jamier' last='Montgomery'] (Crane)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montgomery recently took a trip to Kent State and the Crane guard shut down his recruitment with a commitment.&nbsp; Lengthy guard that is so slick with the rock in his hands getting through creases for scores at the rim and pull up jumpers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323617' first='Markese' last='Peoples'] (St. Laurence)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peoples was one of the stars of June with St. Laurence garnering large groups of college coaches.&nbsp; Power 6'1” guard is a bully going downhill with nimble footwork finishing so well.&nbsp; He committed to Central Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Uncommitted Prospects</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125634' first='Hayden' last='Schroeder'] (Wheaton Academy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schroeder is coming off a strong showing during June with Wheaton Academy where he was one of the main draws among college coaches.&nbsp; He holds offers from Toledo, Western Michigan, CSUN, Northern Illinois, Valpo, Illinois State, Western Illinois, Buffalo, Penn, Air Force, and Elon.&nbsp; Programs that have shown interest, but haven't offered include Liberty, Drake, St. Thomas, Chattanooga, Campbell, Yale, and South Dakota State.&nbsp; He says the schools involved for the longest have been Toledo, Valpo, Illinois State, Buffalo, Penn, and Elon.&nbsp; He has taken an official visit to Elon already and is in the process of setting up other trips.&nbsp; Would like to make a decision by the end of August or early September!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323618' first='Alex' last='Sirbu'] (Buffalo Grove)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sirbu made a strong case for a top 5 ranking with the way he played in June and July.&nbsp; The top center in the class tells us he holds offers from the likes of Oral Roberts, Holy Cross, Northern Illinois, Purdue Fort Wayne, Columbia, Brown, Northern Iowa, UC Davis, Illinois State, Arkansas Little Rock, and Cal State Fullerton.&nbsp; Richmond is another school that is involved, but has yet to offer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He says the programs most involved down the stretch include Columbia, Northern Iowa, Brown, Illinois State, Northern Illinois, Cal State Fullerton, and Purdue Fort Wayne.&nbsp; He has taken officials to Northern Illinois, Columbia, and Brown already.&nbsp; He is in the process of scheduling visits to Illinois State, Holy Cross, and Richmond.&nbsp; Plans on being at Purdue Fort Wayne August 29.&nbsp; He would like to make a call in August.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125619' first='Dshaun' last='Bolden'] (Oswego East)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bolden is one of the top prospects in the 2027 class that has been a bit forgotten in recent months as he has been injured.&nbsp; The big and athletic wing is a no doubt D1 player, but doesn't hold any offers at this point.&nbsp; UIC has been in contact with him.&nbsp; Expect this to change with a strong senior campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125660' first='Lamari' last='Carpenter'] (Glenbard North)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carpenter is among the best scoring guards in the senior class.&nbsp; Currently he has one offer from Long Island University.&nbsp; Others showing interest include SIU-Edwardsville, is SEMO, Indiana State, St. Thomas, and Northern Illinois.&nbsp; He would like to decide before the seasons starts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125658' first='Kendall' last='Meyers'] (Marist)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The strong and skilled face up four is the main man returning for the 4A state champs.&nbsp; He holds offers from Northern Illinois, SIU-Edwardsville, UIC, Western Michigan, and Valpo.&nbsp; Holy Cross and Yale are showing interest.&nbsp; The two involved the most down the stretch of his recruitment are Valparaiso and Western Michigan.&nbsp; He has already visited Western Michigan while he has a trip slated for Valpo the third weekend in August.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125671' first='Nojus' last='Venckus'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2125668' first='Nedas' last='Venckus'] (Lockport)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lockport duo are two of the most exciting skilled and athletic guards in the class.&nbsp; They recently landed offers from Emporia State.&nbsp; They will trip there on a visit September 12.&nbsp; Lewis and Purdue Northwest are also involved in their recruitment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2962335' first='Phillip' last='Jones'] (East St. Louis)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is an uber athletic lead guard that plays with speed and above the rim.&nbsp; Can shoot it from deep and is a quality playmaker.&nbsp; He holds one offer right now from Troy who is the school most involved in this recruitment right now.&nbsp; Valpo, Purdue Fort Wayne, North Dakota State, and Cincinnati have shown varying degrees of interest.&nbsp; No timeline for a decision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->