Recruiting Notebook: Holiday Tournament Edition
In our travels across the state for the various holiday tournaments we checked in with a ton of prospects to get the latest on their recruitments. Check them out here in our Recruiting Notebook! SG Antonio Reeves (Simeon –…
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Continue ReadingIn our travels across the state for the various holiday tournaments we checked in with a ton of prospects to get the latest on their recruitments. Check them out here in our Recruiting Notebook!
SG Antonio Reeves (Simeon – 2019)
Reeves is trending as one of the top unsigned prospects in the state. He has steadily improved throughout his senior season and was lights out with his silky smooth jumper when we saw him at Pontiac. “The recruiting process I am hearing from Wisconsin, Butler, and Georgetown. UW-Milwaukee was at my game at Pontiac.” Who does he hold offers from at this time? “Northern Illinois, UW-Milwaukee, Chicago State, St. Louis, and Detroit.” Drake and Wisconsin are the two schools he says are in the most communication. The Bulldogs out of the MVC are trying to get him on campus. Reeves spoke about his timeline for a decision and what he will be looking for in a school. “Play out the season. I am looking for a school that has a good education so if it doesn’t work out with basketball I can have a good job.”
G Sean Houpt (Danville – 2019)
Houpt is an underrated central Illinois combo guard that can really shoot it and gets after it on the defensive end. There has been some movement in his recruitment in the last couple weeks. “I just got two D2 offers from Lewis and Flagler College in Florida. I am hearing from a lot of other D2s. Illinois-Springfield has been in a lot of contact lately. I am hearing from a couple D1s.” Illinois-Springfield extended a scholarship offer after the new year. No visits planned right now as he is focused on the season.
SF Johnny Roeser (Carmel – 2019)
This Carmel wing really impressed when we saw him at the Centralia Holiday Tournament. He has gotten stronger and continued to show the skill that has always made him intriguing. When it comes to playing at the next level Roeser told us, “Mainly Loras and St. Thomas are talking to me. I went on visits to both.” What stands out about Loras? “I like the atmosphere and the coaching staff.” He also talked about St. Thomas. “Same thing the coaches are really welcoming.” Roeser told us his timeline for a decision. “I am looking to play out my senior season to see if I can an offer or two and to see what I get.” There is a chance he could play AAU in the spring to generate more interest.
SF Ethan Helwig (Metea Valley – 2019)
Helwig is a scoring wing that has a feathery jumper. He said Meramec is the leader for his services at this stage. They have made him a priority and he plans on taking a visit there January 18. “It is a really good program over there and I will be excited to contribute.” We would expect a commitment on the visit or shortly after.
PF Chris White (Marian Catholic – 2019)
White played very well at the Hinsdale Central Tournament rebounding at a high level and scoring in the paint. White has offers from Southern University, Southern Utah, High Point, Appalachian State, and Arkansas Little Rock. White plans on taking officials to a pair of them in the next couple months in High Point and Appalachian State. No dates set. What does he like about High Point? “The coaches are really on me. Calls me a lot.” He also talked about App State saying, “They like to see me a lot and ask for film.”
SF Carter Thurman (Plainfield North – 2019)
Thurman is a versatile forward who proved to be a plus shooter with toughness. On the recruiting front he said, “I am being recruited by Hope College, St. Ambrose, Elmhurst. No D2 looks yet.” He has visited those schools along Whitewater and Taylor University.
F Trevon Jones (Richards – 2019)
Jones is a tough and rugged forward who plays bigger than his size. On the recruiting front Jones said he is hearing from “Ripon, North Central, Elmhurst, and Illinois College.” For football he has an offer from Northern Michigan and interest from Southern Missouri State. He isn’t leaning toward a certain sport for college yet.
SG Justin Eagins (Downers Grove South – 2019)
Eagins is one of the better pure shooters in the class. He helped lead his team to the championship game at the Jack Tosh Tournament. The senior says there is a pair of schools recruiting him the heaviest in Grand Valley State and Grand Canyon. He interest as well from Benedictine.
F Aaron Tims (Hinsdale South – 2020)
This junior combo forward is a lefty with plus athleticism and quickness in the paint. Trending as a D1 prospect. Where do things stand with his recruitment? “Still the same with Western Illinois, Northern Illinois, Drake, and Miami (OH). My AAU coach said Chicago State and Eastern Washington have shown interest.” No offers at this point.
Ahron Ulis (Marian Catholic – 2020)
Ulis is one of the best prospects in the junior class. The silky smooth point guard gave us the latest with his recruitment saying, “Toledo has been interested, Loyola, Nevada, Colorado State, and a couple other schools.” DePaul and UIC extended offers early in the process. What stood out about the Colorado State visit he took in the fall? “It was nice and really different because I don’t go on the west coast as much. I really liked their facilities and everything.” Ulis landed an offer from Toledo after his performance at Hinsdale Central when Toledo came to see him play. He has visited there as well. “It was good because most of my family is from Toledo so I go there a lot. It was better than I thought it would be. Really nice facilities.” Any schools he would like to get out to see? “Northwestern, Loyola, Nevada, and Toledo again.”
C Chris Hodges (Schuamburg – 2021)
Hodges is the top post prospect in the sophomore class and he put on a show scoring 38 points when we saw him at the Jack Tosh Tournament. He ran down his list of offers mentioning “Loyola, DePaul, and Miami (OH).” Lots of schools showing interest including Illinois and Purdue. He plans on taking visits soon to Purdue and Loyola. In the fall he saw Purdue, Loyola, and then in the summer he took an unofficial to Illinois.