Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[IlliniNash]

Back in the day, landing top 25 recruits was celebrated but not that infrequent.... Going into the wayback machine:

Doug Mills (Parade AA Top 10 1958), Skip Thoren (Parade AA top 20 in 1961), Rich Jones (Parade AA top 10 1964), Nick Weatherspoon (Parade AA top 20 1969), Bill Morris (Parade AA top 20 1970), Audie Matthews (Parade AA top 10 1974), Derek Holcomb (Parade AA top 20 1976), Eddie Johnson (Parade AA top 20 1977), Derek Harper (Parade AA top 10 1980), Efrem Winters (HS top 10 1982) (McD AA MVP), Bruce Douglas (HS top 20 1982) (McD AA), Lowell Hamilton (Parade AA top 10 1985) (McD AA), NIck Anderson (Hoop Scoop #8, Parade AA top 20 1986) (McD AA), Marcus Liberty (Parade AA top 10 1987) (McD AA), Deon Thomas (Parade AA top 10) (McD AA), Richard Keene (Parade AA top 20 1992, Hoop Scoop 13) (McD AA), Kiwane Garris (Parade AA top 30 1993), Bryant Notre (Parade AA top 10 1994), Ryan Blackwell (Parade AA top 10 1995), Marcus Griffin (Parade AA top 20 1997, McD AA), Frank Williams 1998 (21, McD AA), Brian Cook 1999 (McD AA).
.

Impressive. Where do you get all this from?

 

[FrankNitty30]

Yes Liberty was #1 according to many publications. But that was before the current method of ranking players (which I think has been in effect less than 20 years).

Couldn’t one infer that Marcus was a much higher recruit than Riley, regardless of any standard system of calculation?

 

[IlliniNash]

Back in the day, landing top 25 recruits was celebrated but not that infrequent.... Going into the wayback machine:

Doug Mills (Parade AA Top 10 1958), Skip Thoren (Parade AA top 20 in 1961), Rich Jones (Parade AA top 10 1964), Nick Weatherspoon (Parade AA top 20 1969), Bill Morris (Parade AA top 20 1970), Audie Matthews (Parade AA top 10 1974), Derek Holcomb (Parade AA top 20 1976), Eddie Johnson (Parade AA top 20 1977), Derek Harper (Parade AA top 10 1980), Efrem Winters (HS top 10 1982) (McD AA MVP), Bruce Douglas (HS top 20 1982) (McD AA), Lowell Hamilton (Parade AA top 10 1985) (McD AA), NIck Anderson (Hoop Scoop #8, Parade AA top 20 1986) (McD AA), Marcus Liberty (Parade AA top 10 1987) (McD AA), Deon Thomas (Parade AA top 10) (McD AA), Richard Keene (Parade AA top 20 1992, Hoop Scoop 13) (McD AA), Kiwane Garris (Parade AA top 30 1993), Bryant Notre (Parade AA top 10 1994), Ryan Blackwell (Parade AA top 10 1995), Marcus Griffin (Parade AA top 20 1997, McD AA), Frank Williams 1998 (21, McD AA), Brian Cook 1999 (McD AA).
.

Impressive. Where do you get all this from?

 

[Oldskoolkoach]

We should definitely go with the 2 team platoon...
definitely can be interchangeable per match-up...if they're getting paid they better spend some sweat on the court...also we haven't had anywhere close to this much talent on a team in a while...hoping for a Riley commitment shortly...

I asked for it repeatedly last year, but this team may be set up for it even better. Run the Grinnell System!

5 on 5 off, jack up shots, 5 on 5 off, run and gun score a billion points.

Can you imagine the recruits that would want to play in that system! Sign me up, I'm in

 

[Illini4Christ]

Impressive. Where do you get all this from?

From the internet

 

[WhiteHorseWings]

“Give the people air!!”

 

[redwingillini11]

Look, I've always been one of the first to of us to criticize Brad when there's something meriting criticism, but this is just plain unfair. We made an elite 8 this past season. Brad was in the position of having to replace his entire team and has brought in talented players in doing so, whether Riley commits to us or not. And the reason teams like Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, at the top of the food chain generally aren't beaten in recruiting battles against teams who aren't quite at that level (us) is that beating these teams to recruits is really hard. Brad lost a recruit to one of these top programs earlier in this recruiting season. To his credit, he found players overseas that filled our needs and he has us in position to land one of the top if not THE top player in his new high school class in Will Riley. If Riley chooses another path this week other than the one that leads to Champaign Urbana, it won't have anything to do with Brad. He's done everything in his power to convince Will Riley to come here, including hiring one of the best recruiters in college basketball in Antigua.

Bruvs…look at the post I’m replying to. Goodness….

I have to believe that you're being sarcastic?

Of course…

I didn’t think I have to include a “/s” to make my intentions clear, but I guess things here are crazy enough that it’s necessary. Lesson learned.

 

[Illiniam1984]

Bruvs…look at the post I’m replying to. Goodness….

Of course…

I didn’t think I have to include a “/s” to make my intentions clear, but I guess things here are crazy enough that it’s necessary. Lesson learned.

I went back to read your post and the one you replied to and the dots are connected now….My bad… LMAO

 

[Mapman]

Back in the day, landing top 25 recruits was celebrated but not that infrequent.... Going into the wayback machine:

Doug Mills (Parade AA Top 10 1958), Skip Thoren (Parade AA top 20 in 1961), Rich Jones (Parade AA top 10 1964), Nick Weatherspoon (Parade AA top 20 1969), Bill Morris (Parade AA top 20 1970), Audie Matthews (Parade AA top 10 1974), Derek Holcomb (Parade AA top 20 1976), Eddie Johnson (Parade AA top 20 1977), Derek Harper (Parade AA top 10 1980), Efrem Winters (HS top 10 1982) (McD AA MVP), Bruce Douglas (HS top 20 1982) (McD AA), Lowell Hamilton (Parade AA top 10 1985) (McD AA), NIck Anderson (Hoop Scoop #8, Parade AA top 20 1986) (McD AA), Marcus Liberty (Parade AA top 10 1987) (McD AA), Deon Thomas (Parade AA top 10) (McD AA), Richard Keene (Parade AA top 20 1992, Hoop Scoop 13) (McD AA), Kiwane Garris (Parade AA top 30 1993), Bryant Notre (Parade AA top 10 1994), Ryan Blackwell (Parade AA top 10 1995), Marcus Griffin (Parade AA top 20 1997, McD AA), Frank Williams 1998 (21, McD AA), Brian Cook 1999 (McD AA).
.

That’s a hell of a list. I was reviewing all since 1980 and was curious who under-achieved the most given their high HS ranking. I think we all know who succeeded the most. Top 5 under-achievers for me are:

1. Ryan Blackwell
2. Bryant Notre
3. Marcus Griffin
4. Marcus Liberty
5. Lowell Hamilton

My memories of the 80’s are slipping, though.

 

[Bbuck21]

I have to believe that you're being sarcastic?

I was wondering how many people were going to miss the sarcasm/humor of @redwingillini11. Well played.

 

[illinifan1987]

Bruvs…look at the post I’m replying to. Goodness….

Of course…

I didn’t think I have to include a “/s” to make my intentions clear, but I guess things here are crazy enough that it’s necessary. Lesson learned.

Hence the sarcastic shock GIF

 

[skyIdub]

Boy, some good recruiting news Will sure get this board Riley’d up a bit.

 

[Illini 993]

No /s needed RWI - you literally quoted the question about Coleman.

 

[illinifan1987]

Boy, some good recruiting news Will sure get this board Riley’d up a bit.

 

[nichi]

I never understood this. Marcus Liberty was the #1 recruit in the country by numerous publications. Surely he had to be top 10.

Yes, he was. Lowell Hamilton too. Possibly Nick Anderson. Also Efrem Winters, Derek Harper, Nick Weatherspoon, Rich Jones, and Skip Thoren. +

 

[illinifan1987]

No /s needed RWI - you literally quoted the question about Coleman.

 

[BackThatPassUp]

sure but clearly our fandom score is much lower because of how trash our *checks notes* baseball(?!?) is.

This is noted the year we won the Big 10 and went to the ncaa tourney.

 

[5280Illini]

Does anyone have a comp for Will Riley? I used the search function, but didn't find much.

 

[PepeSilvia]

he has us in position to land one of the top if not THE top player in his new high school class in Will Riley.

I want to preface this by saying I like Brad and I'm excited about the talent on the upcoming roster and I'm excited about the potential of adding an extremely talented wing in Riley.

However, I've seen Riley ranked nowhere near the consensus top player of 25(Dybantsa is the top ranked 25). Riley is a legitimate 5 star in 25 but for the 25 class is 21 on 247, 15 on 247 comp, 10 on ON3, 16 on Rivals, and 24 on ESPN.

Also, he if he comes to Illinois he's reclassing which means he would likely drop to the 30s range for 24.

Obviously, very talented and people here seem to like him but it's not a guarantee that a 5 star reclass makes an impact as a freshman or even outplays 2 talented 3rd year wings in Ty and Tre.

For example, Kylan Boswell was a top 15 recruit that reclassed and played 15 minutes as a freshman behind Kerr Krissa and Courtney Ramsey. Jarin Stevenson was a 5 star recruit that reclassed and played 15 minutes for Alabama last year. Also, Khristian Lander was a 5 star reclass to Indiana and was terrible.

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

Does anyone have a comp for Will Riley? I used the search function, but didn't find much.

how bout this?

 

[fatboyslim]

I want to preface this by saying I like Brad and I'm excited about the talent on the upcoming roster and I'm excited about the potential of adding an extremely talented wing in Riley.

However, I've seen Riley ranked nowhere near the consensus top player of 25(Dybantsa is the top ranked 25). Riley is a legitimate 5 star in 25 but for the 25 class is 21 on 247, 15 on 247 comp, 10 on ON3, 16 on Rivals, and 24 on ESPN.

Also, he if he comes to Illinois he's reclassing which means he would likely drop to the 30s range for 24.

Obviously, very talented and people here seem to like him but it's not a guarantee that a 5 star reclass makes an impact as a freshman or even outplays 2 talented 3rd year wings in Ty and Tre.

For example, Kylan Boswell was a top 15 recruit that reclassed and played 15 minutes as a freshman behind Kerr Krissa and Courtney Ramsey. Jarin Stevenson was a 5 star recruit that reclassed and played 15 minutes for Alabama last year. Also, Khristian Lander was a 5 star reclass to Indiana and was terrible.

 

[AZILL]

Back in the day, landing top 25 recruits was celebrated but not that infrequent.... Going into the wayback machine:

Doug Mills (Parade AA Top 10 1958), Skip Thoren (Parade AA top 20 in 1961), Rich Jones (Parade AA top 10 1964), Nick Weatherspoon (Parade AA top 20 1969), Bill Morris (Parade AA top 20 1970), Audie Matthews (Parade AA top 10 1974), Derek Holcomb (Parade AA top 20 1976), Eddie Johnson (Parade AA top 20 1977), Derek Harper (Parade AA top 10 1980), Efrem Winters (HS top 10 1982) (McD AA MVP), Bruce Douglas (HS top 20 1982) (McD AA), Lowell Hamilton (Parade AA top 10 1985) (McD AA), NIck Anderson (Hoop Scoop #8, Parade AA top 20 1986) (McD AA), Marcus Liberty (Parade AA top 10 1987) (McD AA), Deon Thomas (Parade AA top 10) (McD AA), Richard Keene (Parade AA top 20 1992, Hoop Scoop 13) (McD AA), Kiwane Garris (Parade AA top 30 1993), Bryant Notre (Parade AA top 10 1994), Ryan Blackwell (Parade AA top 10 1995), Marcus Griffin (Parade AA top 20 1997, McD AA), Frank Williams 1998 (21, McD AA), Brian Cook 1999 (McD AA).
.

Impressive. Where do you get all this from?

MDchicago has an impressive stack of Parade Rags in the basement.....

 

[Uihoop2023!]

I want to preface this by saying I like Brad and I'm excited about the talent on the upcoming roster and I'm excited about the potential of adding an extremely talented wing in Riley.

However, I've seen Riley ranked nowhere near the consensus top player of 25(Dybantsa is the top ranked 25). Riley is a legitimate 5 star in 25 but for the 25 class is 21 on 247, 15 on 247 comp, 10 on ON3, 16 on Rivals, and 24 on ESPN.

Also, he if he comes to Illinois he's reclassing which means he would likely drop to the 30s range for 24.

Obviously, very talented and people here seem to like him but it's not a guarantee that a 5 star reclass makes an impact as a freshman or even outplays 2 talented 3rd year wings in Ty and Tre.

For example, Kylan Boswell was a top 15 recruit that reclassed and played 15 minutes as a freshman behind Kerr Krissa and Courtney Ramsey. Jarin Stevenson was a 5 star recruit that reclassed and played 15 minutes for Alabama last year. Also, Khristian Lander was a 5 star reclass to Indiana and was terrible.

If Ty and Tre outplay Riley than we are going to have an incredible year next year. Riley is the real deal.

 

[FI_8905]

I want to preface this by saying I like Brad and I'm excited about the talent on the upcoming roster and I'm excited about the potential of adding an extremely talented wing in Riley.

However, I've seen Riley ranked nowhere near the consensus top player of 25(Dybantsa is the top ranked 25). Riley is a legitimate 5 star in 25 but for the 25 class is 21 on 247, 15 on 247 comp, 10 on ON3, 16 on Rivals, and 24 on ESPN.

Also, he if he comes to Illinois he's reclassing which means he would likely drop to the 30s range for 24.

Obviously, very talented and people here seem to like him but it's not a guarantee that a 5 star reclass makes an impact as a freshman or even outplays 2 talented 3rd year wings in Ty and Tre.

For example, Kylan Boswell was a top 15 recruit that reclassed and played 15 minutes as a freshman behind Kerr Krissa and Courtney Ramsey. Jarin Stevenson was a 5 star recruit that reclassed and played 15 minutes for Alabama last year. Also, Khristian Lander was a 5 star reclass to Indiana and was terrible.

I throw those rankings out the window when considering how he played in the EYBL this spring at the 17U level. He absolutely tore it up.

 

[FI_8905]

Does anyone have a comp for Will Riley? I used the search function, but didn't find much.

Scottie Barnes