Senior Sunday: Recruiting Updates
Each Sunday in the winter we will be providing updates on a group of unsigned seniors from a variety of college levels and different parts of the state. Check out our latest Senior Sunday: Recruiting Updates!
SF Drew Peterson (Libertyville)
Peterson is the top uncommitted prospect in the senior class from the state of Illinois. The versatile scoring wing has posted big numbers as a senior on a consistent basis. He had a few offers and took some visits in the fall, but decided to wait it out and play his senior season. Right now he hasn’t narrowed anything down yet. Landed an offer from UC Santa Barbara last week. He is in communication with Wisconsin where he recently took on unofficial visit before Christmas. Rice, Creighton, and Illinois have shown interest. Drake and Rice are the main schools that he has had long standing offers from that he is still in communication with.
F Justin Hardy (St. Charles East)
Hardy is a tough combo forward that does the little things that make a team better. Rebounds well and is tough scoring in the paint with quick moves. Jump shot has also improved throughout his career. The senior tells us that he is still weighing all his options. American and Kent State are showing interest. Northwest Missouri State recently hopped in the mix. Sunday he visited Minnesota State unofficially and came away with an offer. He is looking for a Patriot League, Ivy League, or high academic D2 fit.
PF Dusan Mahorcic (Niles Notre Dame)
This 6’8” power forward is one of the hottest names in the state right now. He will see a major rise in the 2018 rankings on Monday. Good athlete that runs the floor well and finishes with quick moves in the paint. This past week he landed his first offer from D2 Ferris State. Georgia State, William & Mary, and Evansville are expected to be in soon to see him along with multiple other D1 programs. This will be an interesting recruitment to track over the next couple months as he is a low-major prospect with mid-major upside in a class that has very little bigs remaining.
C Gabe Bergeron (Dundee Crown)
Bergeron is among the best centers remaining in Illinois. The athletic and broad shouldered post impressed us over the summer with Fundamental U and at multiple camps. He told us that right now Denison, University of Chicago, and Illinois Wesleyan are toward the top of his list. Emory is another program that is in the mix. Schools he has visited to date include New York University, Rhodes, Denison, University of Chicago, and he attended the Augustana game at Elmhurst this past week. He wants to get out to see Augustana in the spring. Not near a decision at this point.
PG Michael Smith (Joliet West)
Smith is a scoring point guard that put himself on the map with the Illinois T-Wolves over the summer. Plus perimeter shooter that can get really hot from distance. He has an offer from Roosevelt University that he earned in the fall after a strong showing at the PrepHoops Camp. Culver Stockton and Benedictine University have also been in communication. No visits planned at this time.
SG Eddie Creal (Romeoville)
This Romeoville wing is a strong and athletic two guard that makes plays above the rim and in transition. His athleticism is definitely his calling card and he is coming off a strong summer with Hoops4Health. Creal is one of the better JUCO prospects on the board. His travel team coach tells us that there have been a ton of calls from junior colleges. Moberly is the leader right now. Vincennes, Chipola, Highland, State Fair, and Indiana Hills are making pushes for him. If he qualifies Minot State will jump in the mix.
SG Ryan Saunders (Joliet Central)
Saunders is a sleeper wing that has athleticism and rebounds. Does the little things and plays within a team concept. He is hearing from North Central, Midland University, New England, St. John Fisher, Muhlenberg, and University of Dubuque per his travel team coach. No leaders at this point.
SG Zach Briggs (Decatur MacArthur)
Briggs is a rangy complimentary wing that flies a bit under the radar, but has some intriguing skills for the next level. Rangy defender that can guard multiple positions and can score in spurts. His high school coach at MacArthur says that Greenville, UIS, Lincoln Land, Lincoln, ICC, and Lincoln Trail are showing varying degrees of interest. Briggs ran with Jets-Ramey United on the circuit.
PG Brian Conaghan (New Trier)
Conaghan is a plus shooting point guard that can let it fly from deep. Solid summer on the travel team circuit. Moves well without the ball. He is talking to a good amount of D3 schools. He visited Coe College on Saturday. Macalaster and North Central are two other schools that have been in contact.
PF Jack Halverson (Peotone)
Halverson is a prospect that jumped on our radar back in the spring with Windy City Magic with his mobility and efficiency with the way he scored. On Saturday he gave his commitment to attend St. Xavier University.
G Jordan Holmes (Columbia)
Another commitment on Friday, but this one is for a different sport. Columbia combo guard Jordan Holmes has had a big senior campaign with his ability to score the ball. He was considering his options in both basketball and football for college. He has decided to play football at Illinois as a walk on.