Illinois Recruiting Notebook
Let’s dive into the latest from across the state in our Recruiting Notebook with a ton of recruiting nuggets from prospects in the 2018 class.
PG Xavier Pinson (Simeon)
Scouting:
He is a slick and wiry floor general that has a ton of speed. Pushes it in the open floor and has the ability to blow past his defender. Plus passer that sees the floor especially in transition, but is making significant strides in the half court getting others involved. Jump shot is a weapon from mid-range and while streaky from deep he can hit them from beyond the arc. He has definitely improved on his shooting range.
Recruiting Update:
It seemed as things had ended for this talented point guard as he chose Kent State over Drake on October 7. Exactly seven days later the Simeon point guard decided to reopen his recruitment. He says he felt he rushed the decision. Pinson says he will open it back up to more schools beyond his two previous finalists.
PG Branden Ellis (Warren)
Scouting:
Ellis is a dual sport athlete that is also a big time track guy. What he brings to the table is athleticism, speed, and the ability to get out and finish in the transition game. The biggest development this summer was his feel for the game in the half court and more consistency on his jump shot. We saw significant growth in his game in the spring and that continued into the July period.
Recruiting Update:
Ellis informed PrepHoopsIllinois this past Saturday that he had decommitted from D2 University of Indianapolis and would be reopening his recruitment. The senior point guard told us he felt he rushed his decision and will open up things. His plan is to talk with his travel team coach Brian Burns with Kessel Heat and see what schools will want to get back in the mix. Would be a very good D2 player and is worth consideration at the low-major level.
PF Joe Reece (East St. Louis)
Scouting:
Joe Reece bounced around some travel teams this spring/summer, but the East St. Louis transfer is 6’8” four man who looked comfortable playing with the Jets-Ramey United in July. He settled into his role and was doing what he is best at which is using his length defensively to protect the rim, high pointing rebounds, running the floor, and finishing with ferocious dunks at the rim. It all depends on his consistency and effort game in and game out because he is very talented. Reece transferred to East St. Louis recently from Vashon in St. Louis. He will be a top 25 prospect in the 2018 class in our next update.
Recruiting Update:
Reece had offers from multiple D1 programs. On Saturday, October 14 the forward made his commitment to Old Dominion his travel team coach Terrell Ramey informed PrepHoopsIllinois. Upside to be very good at that level if he can play with more of a consistent motor and mean streak.
C Gabe Bergeron (Dundee Crown)
Scouting:
Bergeron is a 6’8” post that has length and broad shoulders. Good athlete that is mobile and runs the floor well for a post. Rim runner in the open floor. Works well in the pick and roll setting good screens and finishing at the rack. Finishes well in the paint with quick and bouncy post moves where he gets height on his shots. Quality rebounder in and out of area. D2 prospect that needs to be on more schools radars.
Recruiting Update:
We spoke with the underrated big man who told us he has taken official visits to NYU and Denison already. He will head to Rhodes camp next weekend. Also plans on visiting University of Chicago and Emory at the end of the month or beginning of November. He is still debating whether he wants to sign early, but as of now he is leaning toward a spring decision.
SG Eddie Creal (Joliet West)
Scouting:
Creal took his game up another notch in July with Hoops4Health. The Romeoville transfer is a strong and athletic two guard that plays above the rim and loves to get out in transition to finish. He played his best in big games taking it right at the defense attacking downhill and finishing at the rim. The development in his skill game especially his jump shot started to show throughout July as well. He shot it at a much better clip than we had seen out of him in the past. Low-major prospect in our eyes or high end D2.
Recruiting Update:
The shooting guard tells us he has been in communication most with Grand Valley State, Minot State, St. Cloud State, Maryville, and he is talking a little with Wisconsin-Milwaukee as well. He says he plans on getting out to as many of those schools as possible. The only one he will visit before the high school season is Grand Valley State. He is going to at least wait until the calendar turns to 2018 to make a college decision.
SF Ian Burns (La Salette Academy)
Scouting:
He is a 6’5” combo forward that is very athletic. He is bouncy and shows that getting out in transition and finishing above the rim. Also mixes in a few mid-range jumpers. Projectable prospect that would be a nice high ceiling small college prospect. He has a 34 ACT and wants to major in engineering.
Recruiting Update:
Burns recruitment is between the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Illinois Tech, and Dallas University. He has visited MSOE and Illinois Tech already. Burns will not decide until the spring.
PF Joel Adese (La Salette Academy)
Scouting:
Adese is a 6’7” four man from La Salette Academy that has good strength. He is a bouncy forward that finishes well around the hoop. Shows some ability handling it slashing with power. The tough four man played with the KC Pacers on the circuit.
Recruiting Update:
Adese will visit Eastern Illinois unofficially this upcoming weekend. D2 programs Quincy, Illinois-Springfield, and Indianapolis are going to be into see him workout in next couple weeks. Miami (OH) also has him on their radar. No offers at this time.
PF Blake Weiss (Mascoutah)
Scouting:
Weiss is one of the better post prospects in the rising senior class from southern Illinois. He is skilled four with some face up abilities. Athleticism plays well around the hoop with his bounce which allows him to finish at the rim.
Recruiting Update:
The Mascoutah post tells us that he has a D3 offer from Illinois College. He is also being recruited by William Penn where he will be going on a visit in the near future. UMSL and Lindenwood are also monitoring his progress. He plans on playing the season out before deciding on his future college.
PF Jack Halverson (Peotone)
Scouting:
Halverson is a 6’7” four man out of Peotone. He is a skilled face up power forward with a long and lanky frame. He handles well for his size as the 2018 forward is more than comfortable attacking from the perimeter after taking posts out of their comfort zones. Finishes extremely well through contact converting and-1s and shielding the ball away from defenders.
Recruiting Update:
Halverson has visited Illinois Wesleyan, Loras, Saint Xavier, and North Central. Millikin, Carrol, Dubuque, and Parkside are in the mix for potential visits in the near future. He holds an offer from Saint Xavier. He doesn’t have a timetable for a decision at this point.