Recruiting Notebook
Another busy week in recruiting throughout the state of Illinois. Time for us to dive into our state Recruiting Notebook to give you the latest!
Liddell Nearing Decision
We are coming to an end with the recruitment of the state’s top 2019 prospect EJ Liddell. The Belleville West power forward completed his final official visit to Illinois over the weekend. All reports coming out of the visit were positive. Now it will come down to can the Illini jump over the Ohio State Buckeyes who led coming into the visit. That is still the question and we will not fully know that until he makes a decision. Missouri is still in the picture, but most likely he will play in the Big 10. At the time of writing this a decision date has not been set, but it would surprise us if he doesn’t make a call in the next 10 days.
Hernandez Takes Last Visit, Sets Date
One of the top wings in the state St. Viator small forward Jeremiah Hernandez completed his final official visit over the weekend to Kent State. On the visit he told us what stood out saying, “Just the campus and the community. Was just a great atmosphere.” He informed PHI that he will make his college decision between Kent State and Drake where he visited the weekend before on October 1.
Update with #3 2019 Prospect
Curie shooting guard Dajuan Gordon is the third ranked prospect in the state’s senior class. Big time shooter that has rounded out his game over the last year. He visited SMU earlier in the month on an official. His trip to Ole Miss was cancelled after they landed a commitment. Next up is a visit beginning on Thursday to Kansas State. If the Wildcats offer and have a strong visit they could position themselves well. He tells PHI the main two programs he is talking to right now are SMU and Kansas State.
Mascari Recaps Recent Visits
Geneva 2019 shooting guard Mitch Mascari can really score it on the perimeter. He is a coveted D2 prospect and the last two weeks he has visited a pair of contenders unofficially for his services in Winona State and Lewis. What stood out about Winona State? “I liked the coaches and the players. I hung out with them for a little bit. I also liked the atmosphere because I went down for a football game so it was cool to see a lot of their fans.” On Lewis he said, “I know a good amount of people on that team so it was cool to see them and the coaching staff was fun to be with.”
Luke Yoder Chats EIU Official
Bloomington Central Catholic 2019 point guard Luke Yoder landed an offer from Eastern Illinois last summer. He got to see what they have offer first hand over the weekend on his official visit. “The guys and coaches were what stood out the most. They were really accepting and excited I was there. Plus they were really competitive during the open gym which was really fun. The school atmosphere is great too.” On what is next on the recruiting front he said, “Well I’ve visited all of the schools that offered so now I’m just focusing on the season and I will probably wait to commit until after the season.”
Bradley Lands Price
Rock Island shooting guard Jamir Price had an excellent July with Quad City Elite on the grassroots circuit. Showed some combo guard skills and can shoot it from mid-range. The guard recently got an offer from Bradley and pulled the trigger on that commitment Wednesday night. “Bradley was my choice because as I stepped foot on campus I just got this feeling this is where I wanted to be. Felt comfortable around the coaches and players and the system they play I can fit in.” Most likely Price will reclassify to 2020 and attend prep school next year before heading off to Bradley, but that has not 100% been finalized yet.
Charlie Hoehne Off Board to Rockhurst
OPRF 2019 power forward Charlie Hoehne is a skilled face up four man that can do damage in the pick and pop. More athletic than people give him credit. Rockhurst made him a priority and got his commitment on Tuesday. “Well I just thought that they would put me in the best spot to succeed in life after these next four years of school. When I went to visit the team they made me feel like family instantly and when playing with the team in open gyms I could tell they played well together and fit my style as well.” Played well with Made Men on the travel team circuit.
Taylor Pops for Salukis
Southern Illinois landed another standout in the 2019 class late Thursday night. Glenbard West small forward Evan Taylor is a point forward at 6’7” with electric passing feel. The state’s #12 prospect committed to the Salukis over Dartmouth. He told us why SIU was his choice, “They were my choice because of the amount they cared about me as a person and a player. They were with me throughout my ups and downs and they have a family aspect to their program that is great as well.” He joins fellow top 20 prospect Lance Jones in their class. They are closing in on #5 overall Chris Payton of Bloomington.
Bloom Guard Recaps West Coast Trips
Bloom 2020 shooting guard Keshawn Williams spoke with PHI about his weekend visits to Colorado State and Colorado. He first went to Colorado State where he landed a scholarship offer. On the visit he noted, “Fort Collins was a great place. The people there were great people. The coaching staff was also great people! They made me feel like I was home. Just overall a great school!” He then visited Colorado out of the Pac 12. “Boulder was also a great place. Colorado had things I’ve never seen before. They are very unique in their own way. Great people, great place. Looking forward to going back soon.” Williams will trip with a pair of his travel teammates Seryee Lewis and Reggie Strong to St. Louis University on Friday and Illinois State on Saturday. He plans on going back out to Colorado for an official in December or January. UW-Milwaukee, Purdue, Northern Kentucky, and Butler are other schools he is interested in visiting.
Offer Recap
2020
Seryee Lewis (Kenwood) – Yale
Christian Shumate (Plainfield East) – Lewis
Keshawn Williams (Bloom) – Colorado State
Bryce Hall (Simeon) – UW-Milwaukee
2021
Anthony Sayles (Niles Notre Dame) – Southern Illinois