Illinois Wolves/La Lumiere Scrimmage: Recruiting Notebook
Over the weekend we attended the annual scrimmage between UAA travel team program Illinois Wolves and La Lumiere. There were tons of D1 talents in the gym! We caught up with some of them to get the latest on their recruitments.
Illinois Wolves Prospects
Kendrick Tchoua (Benet – 2019)
This transfer from the east coast has emerged as a name to watch during the high school season with his raw strength and athleticism. When it comes to recruiting he said, “I got my first offer from Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I have had Wisconsin, Valpo, Buffalo, Ohio, and Northern Iowa show interest.” UIC and Buffalo would like to get him on campus for a visit.
Max Christie (Rolling Meadows – 2021)
Christie is coming off a strong showing at the USA Basketball Mini Camp where reportedly he shot lights out along with displaying his uber skilled game. The state’s top sophomore tells us about his recruitment, “Vanderbilt came in for an open gym on Friday. I am going to a Northwestern game next week for the opening of their new arena. My parents and Coach (Jon) Scheyer from Duke are scheduling a visit for January.” Currently he holds offers from Loyola, DePaul, Stanford, Illinois, Northwestern, Florida, Wisconsin, and Purdue. Will take a visit this weekend to Ohio State.
Chris Hodges (Schaumburg – 2021)
Hodges remains the top big man in the sophomore class. At 6’7” he has strength and improved mobility. Quality area rebounder and scorer on the block. He is already getting quite a bit of early recruiting attention he tells us! “I have been out to Loyola and Miami (OH) this fall and received offers from both of those two. I have an offer from DePaul too.” Recently he took a trip to Purdue to check out the Boilermakers! “It was really nice. I got to be with the team and watch the football game. Got to know the coaches more. The coaching staff, campus, and administration were good.” What stood out about Loyola on that trip? “It was close to home. Nice being in Chicago. I know the coach really well. It is a really good atmosphere.” Also tripped to Miami (OH) saying, “It was good. My dad went there. It was nice. Good experience. Got to watch the football game.” He says Michigan and Illinois have been through open gyms. Back in June he visited Illinois. On that visit he said, “Good coaching staff. Family atmosphere.” Says he would like to get back down to Champaign during the season for another visit.
Bryce Hopkins (Fenwick – 2021)
Hopkins has seen his stock soar with his play during the summer and in the fall. Versatile forward that is already very productive. He updated us on his super early recruitment saying, “I have picked up four offers from Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Nebraska, Loyola, and Miami (OH).” Nebraska was the first high-major to jump in with an offer for Hopkins. “It was very exciting. It was my first Big 10 offer. I would love to play in that conference. I love their physicality and conference.” Recently took the short trip to Loyola for an unofficial visit where he landed a scholarship offer. “I loved the campus and how they have the beach in the background. The players were very high intensity.” Also visited Miami (OH) this fall. “It was in the middle of nowhere, but once you get on campus it was very welcoming. The coaches and players were very nice.” He hasn’t visited Wisconsin-Milwaukee yet, but they have already extended an offer. “I know the coach Patrick Baldwin because I used to play with his son. I don’t know much about that school yet.” Other programs he has received interest from include Ohio State, Michigan, Belmont, and Iowa. Visiting Ohio State this weekend.
Isaiah Barnes (OPRF – 2021)
Barnes is a smooth wing with size and a plus jumper from deep. He is already garnering considerable attention on the recruiting trail, “I have six offers from Chicago State, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Detroit, UIC, Loyola, and Miami (OH).” Went to Loyola in the last couple weeks for an unofficial. “Their campus was amazing. Since they got to the Final Four they have a lot of improvements to their campus. It was real nice.” How about that Miami (OH) visit? “They have a real good coaching staff. I got a chance to meet with all of them. Their facilities were really nice.” Barnes tells us he plans on visiting Vanderbilt soon.
La Lumiere Prospects
Gerald Drumgoole (La Lumiere – 2019)
Drumgoole was the most impressive performer for La Lumiere in the scrimmage. Big wing with physical body. Slashed to the rim and forced his will on opponents. His recruitment is really starting to pick up he told us. “I might take a visit this week to Creighton, Oklahoma, or Minnesota. I have already visited South Carolina.” What schools are most in the mix for his services at this point? “South Carolina, Creighton, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Illinois, and Northwestern.”
Desmond Polk (La Lumiere – 2020)
Polk is a rangy junior combo guard that is coming off a quality summer with Phenom University. He updated us on his recruitment here saying he holds offers from Iowa, Iowa State, DePaul, Georgia Tech, Marquette, Bradley, Southern Illinois, Missouri State, and Dayton. Any recent visits? “I took two unofficials to Iowa and Iowa State. I took an unofficial last year to Bradley. We are talking to coaches about scheduling more.” What schools would he like to get out to? “I definitely would like to get out to Dayton and Georgia Tech.”
Isaiah Stewart (La Lumiere – 2019)
This five-star physical center didn’t play during the scrimmage, but he took the time to chat recruiting with us. His final five are Syracuse, Kentucky, Michigan State, Washington, and Duke. He discusses all of them in this video!
Isaiah Stewart Video Interview
Keion Brooks (La Lumiere – 2019)
Brooks is a five-star Indiana native that brings great versatility and athleticism to the table. Also didn’t participate in the scrimmage due to a minor injury. He is down to Indiana, Kentucky, UCLA, Michigan State, and North Carolina. Brooks talks about his three official visits he has already taken and upcoming trips to see the Spartans and Tar Heels in this video!