Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-March 2016)

[IlliniRunIn07]

Lucas having a great senior year. Think he's going to rise in the rankings, not that rankings really mean anything.

Really excited what he can do for the the next 4 years. 5 years if he red-shirts.

I have learned to never put stock into HS stats, but he has really been posting some jaw dropping numbers that are impossible to ignore.

 

[BirdDog9048]

Lucas having a great senior year. Think he's going to rise in the rankings, not that rankings really mean anything.

Really excited what he can do for the the next 4 years. 5 years if he red-shirts.

That's doubtful. The rankings don't change much during senior year (even when they should). TJL and Rako should probably both see huge gains in the rankings but won't because scouts/analysts have moved on to the next class for the most part. There's not a whole lot of reason for them to pay attention to guys that have already committed to schools, which the majority of the 2016 class has done.

 

[Smacko]

I have learned to never put stock into HS stats, but he has really been posting some jaw dropping numbers that are impossible to ignore.

And he isn't playing at some rinky dink school in the middle of nowhere. Seems like this summer things really started coming together for him. Glad to see that has continued as the year has gone on. He has been getting it done as both a scorer and passer.

 

[Smacko]

That's doubtful. The rankings don't change much during senior year (even when they should). TJL and Rako should probably both see huge gains in the rankings but won't because scouts/analysts have moved on to the next class for the most part. There's not a whole lot of reason for them to pay attention to guys that have already committed to schools, which the majority of the 2016 class has done.

You are 100% correct. Scouts are focusing on '17 and '18 kids and rankings won't shift very much at this point. That is part of why rankings are not the be-all end-all of recruiting. By the time a kid steps on campus, that ranking is really about 1-2 years old and may not be that accurate anymore.

 

[ILL in IA]

Totally different examples. Malcolm is a very skilled player that can do many things well, but will it translate to the NBA? He is not a great athlete, but can be serviceable at the next level. He is a good shooter, but not a 3 point sniper (like Steph Curry, McBuckets, etc...). He is savvy and can get to the rack in dosages but not enough consistently. He can post right now, but will he be able to against stronger and more athletic NBA Players?

.

I understand the first example, but the second person in the NBA you thought of was McBuckets?

 

[TyinLex]

http://ballislife.com/damonte-williams/

:43 is classic Frank Williams

 

[Joel Goodson]

I'm not mad, but impressed with your ability to type while guzzling kool-aid! Or maybe you're just taking it intravenously? :thumb:

IV or central line, while immersed in orange kool-aid.

 

[Joel Goodson]

You are 100% correct. Scouts are focusing on '17 and '18 kids and rankings won't shift very much at this point. That is part of why rankings are not the be-all end-all of recruiting. By the time a kid steps on campus, that ranking is really about 1-2 years old and may not be that accurate anymore.

+infinity

 

[TCTORNADO]

You are 100% correct. Scouts are focusing on '17 and '18 kids and rankings won't shift very much at this point. That is part of why rankings are not the be-all end-all of recruiting. By the time a kid steps on campus, that ranking is really about 1-2 years old and may not be that accurate anymore.

RSCI finals are usually published around May/June before August/Sept. campus arrival. About as accurate as there is available.

 

[Cubby Blue]

And he isn't playing at some rinky dink school in the middle of nowhere.

You mean like our last Lottery pick?

 

[Joel Goodson]

RSCI finals are usually published around May/June before August/Sept. campus arrival. About as accurate as there is available.

They are, but they fail to reflect large moves late (post final AAU season). And the rankings, past 75 conservatively, are largely a crapshoot.

 

[ILL in IA]

Does anyone re-rank classes as players are into a 3rd or 4th year of college? That would be an interesting list to see.

 

[chiefinillini7]

I really like Malcolm and I definitely appreciate what you are saying. I am not saying he can't play in the league (I think he can with the right team). I also feel bad that he has some limited teams with limited point guard play around him.

Stating this, Jimmy Butler and Bobby Portis are different examples. Tony Snell was picked too high but is a smooth athlete that can play defense. Jimmy Butler was the last pick of the first round while being a much better athlete and picked for his defense (Anything else is gravy). Bobby Portis does not have the vertical but is a very good athlete, has a great motor, can rebound, has a body, and can shoot for a big man.

Totally different examples. Malcolm is a very skilled player that can do many things well, but will it translate to the NBA? He is not a great athlete, but can be serviceable at the next level. He is a good shooter, but not a 3 point sniper (like Steph Curry, McBuckets, etc...). He is savvy and can get to the rack in dosages but not enough consistently. He can post right now, but will he be able to against stronger and more athletic NBA Players?

I think for Malcolm to make it to the NBA he is going to have find his niche as a 3 point sniper that can do other things.

Some scouts might tell him he is a late first round pick, but honestly many scouts say that until a guy that a team wants slides down to him. I think with hard work and showing more with a more well-rounded team next year, he might be able to do that. For example, Valentine for MSU is about the same type of player as Hill, but is more consistent, rebounds, shoots better right now, and gets more assists (although for a better team). With our team next year, can Malcolm take the Bull by the horns and be Valentine? Valentine is a senior though.

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I have been fortunate to have been around scouts in the past and see how they operate. He could be picked late first this year with a good showing to end the year, but it would be a big risk as of right now (I think Malcolm could star in Europe right now). The player with the most hope of making it to the bigs on our team is Finke and I would imagine his junior year, we will be having those talks.

Appreciate your info.

Thank you ! I appreciate your response! Great post

I think the most realistic expectation for MH at this point is to go second round or undrafted, and find his niche in the D-League and make a roster and hopefully stick in the league. I just believe in this young man, that's why I am filling this board with my faith filled enthusiasm.

I think if Malcom wasn't forced to add weight and play the 4 throughout his entire college career, that he would be leaps and bounds beyond where he is now in regards to his athleticism & agility. And that's something that I think needs to be taken into consideration. He is a team first player, and when he has 2-3 more years of development along with the development time to work extra hard on his body and being strictly a guard, we could see a massive growth in these areas of his game that we see as his weakness.

 

[illinitiger]

Does anyone re-rank classes as players are into a 3rd or 4th year of college? That would be an interesting list to see.

Or when they are pros?....guessing stef curry was 200+ or unranked.

I personally would like to see a filtered list of all ranked players (top 150 or 200) who have increased rankings from junior to senior year in HS. it's relatively easy to swing hard for a top 50. If you can ID rising players at positions of need (with a "chip") outside top 50 or even outside top100 and land consistently, I believe you have formula for success. I think TL is an example of a rising player....and obviously at a position of need.

 

[Illinoy]

Any chances we get in on the back-end of some recruits that will be released due to coaches leaving. Rice left UNLV recently and he had Justin Jackson committed from Scarbs , Ontario. I know he was a kid we were once recruiting. He also locked in a top 60ish pg in Jaylen Fisher.

 

[WesterveltVictoryCigar]

Does anyone re-rank classes as players are into a 3rd or 4th year of college? That would be an interesting list to see.

I have seen Henricksen do this from time to time for the Illinois based recruits.

 

[chiefinillini7]

Jackson would be fantastic! We just need some powerful Canadian connections... Quick somebody get Dustin Ford on the line!

In all seriousness, I was in love with Jackson's game when we were recruiting him

 

[Joel Goodson]

Any chances we get in on the back-end of some recruits that will be released due to coaches leaving. Rice left UNLV recently and he had Justin Jackson committed from Scarbs , Ontario. I know he was a kid we were once recruiting. He also locked in a top 60ish pg in Jaylen Fisher.

No room at the inn for another SF. Good prospect though. Last ride goes to a big big, hopefully Froling.

 

[chiefinillini7]

No room at the inn for another SF. Good prospect though. Last ride goes to a big big, hopefully Froling.

I don't know if we are in position to say no to player like him. In all likelihood your right, but man, the effects he could have on our recruiting and our Canada pipeline could be once in a lifetime

 

[Greensboro]

No room at the inn for another SF. Good prospect though. Last ride goes to a big big, hopefully Froling.

Sure about that, isn't Jackson 6'7"? (maybe stretch 4 in a pinch), but regardless good enough we would take him in a heartbeat, still take Froling, and then sort out the scholarships later.

 

[bigruss22]

Thank you ! I appreciate your response! Great post

I think the most realistic expectation for MH at this point is to go second round or undrafted, and find his niche in the D-League and make a roster and hopefully stick in the league. I just believe in this young man, that's why I am filling this board with my faith filled enthusiasm.

I think if Malcom wasn't forced to add weight and play the 4 throughout his entire college career, that he would be leaps and bounds beyond where he is now in regards to his athleticism & agility. And that's something that I think needs to be taken into consideration. He is a team first player, and when he has 2-3 more years of development along with the development time to work extra hard on his body and being strictly a guard, we could see a massive growth in these areas of his game that we see as his weakness.

This should probably be in a separate thread but I don't think people are saying that Hill has no shot at the NBA, but leaving college early for a player like him does not appear to be the smart move. I don't think he's going to play himself into a 1st round pick and he isn't athletic enough to warrant it otherwise. I would predict a 2nd round pick (hopefully) for him, and I don't think that makes sense for him considering he'd probably get the same opportunity after sr year.

If you're not getting the 1st round guarantee money then it doesn't usually make sense to leave, there are variables in that but I don't see them in Hill's case.

 

[BlueChipBridesmaid]

You're probably not going to see a lot of early movement in the '17 class until the administration gets an AD hired and said AD verifies Groce's safety beyond 2016. No info just don't think kids of Tilmon, Goodwin, or Williams' talent want to commit to a guy that might be fired before their senior year of high school.

 

[ILL in IA]

I have seen Henricksen do this from time to time for the Illinois based recruits.

Thanks. I have seen sights redo draft classes and where guys should have gone based on performance. Always thought it would be cool to see how a recruiting class stacks up after a senior year.

 

[Dan]

Illinois Head Coach Groce will be at SHS tonight to see '17 recruits Kris wilkes F NC and Paul Scruggs G SHS. Both have illinois offers.
https://twitter.com/Indyhoosiersbba/status/687354180755849217

 

[UofIChE06]

You're probably not going to see a lot of early movement in the '17 class until the administration gets an AD hired and said AD verifies Groce's safety beyond 2016. No info just don't think kids of Tilmon, Goodwin, or Williams' talent want to commit to a guy that might be fired before their senior year of high school.

Why not? They would clearly be allowed out if he was fired and with the talent level of Tilmon schools would be lined up for his services even late in the game like that.