Senior Sunday: Recruiting Updates
We are getting closer and closer to the end of the high school season and that means seniors will be making their college decisions. PrepHoopsIllinois will be checking in weekly to get an update on a different group of prospects…
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Continue ReadingWe are getting closer and closer to the end of the high school season and that means seniors will be making their college decisions. PrepHoopsIllinois will be checking in weekly to get an update on a different group of prospects in our series Senior Sunday to see where things stand with their recruitments.
PG Tai Bibbs (West Chicago)
Overall Rank: #20
Position Rank: #8
Projected Level: MM-/LM+
Bibbs has been one of the hottest recruits in the state since he opened up his recruitment after decommitting from Drake. The senior has reeled in offers from Kent State, Northern Illinois, Cal Poly, Evansville, Columbia, Ball State, Brown, Dartmouth, Drexel, Fordham, IPFW, Lafayette, Marist, New Mexico State, and Rice. Stanford was showing significant interest, but they recently got an international commitment and he hasn’t heard much since. Loyola is a local program that is showing a lot of love. Their head coach has been to see him play multiple times and he took a visit there last Sunday. Bibbs says that Columbia, Rice, Brown, and Fordham are the schools he is hearing from the most. All of the schools that offered though are communicating with him at least once a week. He isn’t really thinking about setting up official visits or narrowing things down right now as he is focused on closing out his season.
PF Justin Brown (Marist)
Overall Rank: #58
Position Rank: #13
Projected Level: D2
Brown is one of the top post prospects remaining on the board and his stock continues to rise after a strong senior campaign. Shot blocking presence that can score well on the block. He has offers from Lewis, Quincy, Lindenwood, and Northern Michigan. Other schools he has heard from include Furman, Air Force, Eastern Illinois, Wheeling Jesuit, Central Connecticut, Tulsa, and Dixie State. Brown took his first official visit this past week to Lindenwood. He will most likely make a decision in April.
PF Brandon Lawani (Bolingbrook)
Overall Rank: #79
Position Rank: #18
Projected Level: D2-/D3+
The Bolingbrook senior has quality size and is angular with his long arms. Runs the floor well, rebounds, and has a defensive presence in the paint. Lawani holds an offer from D2 Lewis and D1 Chicago State. Other schools in the mix include Minot State, Grand Valley State, and UMSL. He is a qualifier, but is also attracking attention from several JUCO programs.
SG Craig Beaudion (Whitney Young)
Overall Rank: #94
Position Rank: #24
Projected Level: D3/NAIA
Beaudion is a wing that put up monster scoring numbers early in his career at Foreman. He transferred to Whitney Young as a junior. He has been a solid role player that plays quality defense and scores in transition. Shockingly Beaudion says he hasn’t heard from any colleges at any levels. We feel he could be a solid small college player.
PG Yaakema Rose (Springfield Lanphier)
Overall Rank: #114
Position Rank: #33
Projected Level: D3/NAIA/JUCO
Rose is a scoring point guard that has a strong body and plays with tremendous toughness. Has a knack for rising to the occasion. Rose tells us he recently landed an offer from D2 Illinois Springfield. He has heard a little bit from D1’s Wisconsin Milwuakee and North Texas. Mostly JUCO programs are lighting up his phone including Vincennes, Indian Hills, Central New Mexico, and Iowa Western. Looking to visits some JUCO’s after the season is over.
SG Malcolm Townsel (Evanston)
Overall Rank: #132
Position Rank: #30
Projected Level: D3/NAIA
Townsel transferred over to Evanston where he has played a big role in their success this season. He is a quietly very productive wing. Solid jump shooter that can slash in the open floor. Townsel tells us he holds an NAIA offer from Waldorf, but right now is leaning toward doing a post grad year.
SG Will Clausel (Newark)
Overall Rank: #150
Position Rank: #40
Projected Level: D3/NAIA
We have always enjoyed watching this tough wing play. Clausel has been a mainstay with the Illinois Irish on the circuit throughout his career. Plays tough D, hits open shots, and plays well in the transition game. Outstanding team player! Clausel tells us he has narrowed his decision down to North Central and Loras. Rock Valley is a JUCO program that is really trying to make a run at him. He plans on making a decision once the season is over.
C Jacob Pfeiffer (Springfield Lutheran)
Overall Rank: #153
Position Rank: #7
Projected Level: D3/NAIA
Pfeiffer is a big body inside that is averaging a double double this season. He tells us he is planning on majoring in engineering. The senior has narrowed his choices to Olivet Nazarene, Rose Hulman, and Illinois Institute of Technology. He has already visited each program. He will not make a decision until after the high school season has concluded.