Top 250: 2020 Recruiting Notebook
The PrepHoopsIllinois Top 250 Camp had a ton of college prospects in attendance. Here we catch up with a group of 2020 prospects to get the latest with their recruitments!
PG Reggie Strong (St. Joseph’s)
The top 10 in-state prospect recently had Maryland in to watch him in open gym. Several other Big 10 schools are monitoring him. Michigan, Indiana, and Purdue have showed varying degrees of interest. He is looking to visit Valpo and Michigan this fall. Recently visited Purdue “We walked around the school. Saw the team practice. Met with the coaching staff.”
SF Jayden Johnson (Batavia)
One of the state’s best wing’s updated us on his recruitment. “SIU recently offered. The same other schools are involved with Drake, Miami (OH), Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Purdue, Iowa, Virginia.” He talked about landing his first offer from the Salukis. “It was awesome. I got a text on a Sunday afternoon to call them when I got a chance. That is kind of when I knew it was coming. It was one of the best days of my life. What does he like about them? “I like their coaching staff. I already have a really good relationship with their coaches down there. I think that is big when I choose when I want to play.” Johnson would like to visit SIU, Drake, Northern Iowa, and Iowa this fall.
SF Paul Zilinskas (Richards)
Sleeper wing that is starting to create some buzz with his shooting, size, and skill set. Zilinskas told us the latest with his recruitment, “A couple schools have contacted me. Drake and Furman have reached out to me. Quincy and Indiana Wesleyan have talked to me.”
PF Sam Schultz (Oswego East)
Schultz is one of the top posts in 2020 with his versatility and ability to score. On recruiting he said, “Colorado State came in and talked to me this past Tuesday. Green Bay has been talking to me. Valpo and Milwaukee still.” No offers at this point. Schultz says he plans to trip out to Colorado State in October. What does he like about them? “The conference is a good conference. I like the coaches. It is pretty out there. Same conference as my boy Ray J Dennis (Boise State commit) so I could play him.”
SF Christian Shumate (Plainfield East)
This high energy forward is one of the best athletes in his class playing above the rim all game long. He broke down where things stand on the recruiting front. “St. Cloud State just got a new coach and he said he is going to be recruiting me for the next two years. I will visit there pretty soon.”
PF Ryan Isaacson (Hinsdale Central)
Isaacson is a 6’8” face up four that emerged in July with his ability to stretch the floor along with his athleticism. On the recruiting front he said, “As far as D1 Colgate and Drake have reached out. Other schools like Indiana Wesleyan have reached out. Lewis has been to a few of my open gyms.”
SG Dan Florey (St. Ignatius)
Florey is a sharp shooter from the perimeter that can really let it fly. He told us what is going on with his recruitment saying, “Western Illinois text me. I went to Miami (OH) for their camp. They have texted and called me. Kent State sent me a letter and wants me to visit.”
SF Jabari Chiphe (Walter Payton)
Chiphe is a top 25 prospect with his ability to score from the perimeter. On the recruiting front he says Wisconsin Green Bay has reached out and will monitoring him at his open gyms.
PF Bennett Kwiecinski (Loyola)
This skilled big man had the best performance we had seen out of him in his career at the camp. He and his twin brother Jordan are being recruited by quite a few programs. “We had Colorado State in open gym. Toledo is coming in. Belmont and Ball State have been texting and college. We have offers from DePaul and Holy Cross.” What stands out about Holy Cross? “I like that they have really good academics and the school is a really nice campus.” How about DePaul? “They are in the Big East and play good teams. I like being in the city too.” Are he and his twin brother a package deal? “A lot have been saying they don’t think we are the same person. Michigan has been reaching out to Jordan. Some schools might be and others aren’t recruiting both us of.” They plan on visiting Princeton and Toledo.
PG Luke Scheffers (St. Charles North)
Scheffers is a high IQ point guard with a feel for the game and is a plus shooter. On the recruiting side of things he said a lot of the high academic D3 schools have been into see him. Washington University in St. Louis is very interested. As far as D1s he has talked some with UIC, Northern Illinois, William & Mary, and Cleveland State. NYU is also interested. Might visit Washington University this fall.
F Aaron Tims (Hinsdale South)
Tims is an athletic combo forward with a versatile game. With recruiting he says he has heard from several schools including Western Illinois, Northern Illinois, Miami (OH), and Drake. No offers at this point. He might visit Northern Illinois this fall.
PF Sangolay Njie (Whitney Young)
Njie is a big and physical four man that has a chance to be a very good rebounder. He told us that he will be visiting Kent State on October 6. IUPUI is another school that is showing a lot of interest and texting him on a regular basis.
SG Davis Walker (Home School)
Walker is a combo guard that impresses with his perimeter shooting from deep. When it comes to recruiting he reports, “I have heard from UIC, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois, Valpo, Indiana Wesleyan, and Colorado State.” He plans on visiting UIC, Valpo, and Colorado State this fall.
SG Darius Buford (Bolingbrook)
Buford is an athletic scoring combo guard that is starting to emerge in the 2020 class. Recently he picked up his first D1 offer from Drake. “I have been waiting on this since I was like four so it was a very exciting time for me.” Also talking to Miami (OH).