National Signing Day Blog
Welcome to National Signing Day! Today is the first day that prospects in the class of 2020 can sign their National Letters of Intent with the colleges they have verbally committed. Throughout the day we will have a live blog of the signings of prospects across the state. Stay locked here for the latest!
7:05 PM
York’s leader Nate Shockey made it official signing with North Dakota. This kid is tough as nails, makes the right play consistently with the ball in his hands, and knocks down shots!
7:00 PM
Things have gone pretty smoothly today. Prospects verbally committed have all signed or have ceremonies set for later in the week. One to monitor now is Aquan Smart from Niles North. The super athletic combo guard who elevated his stock this summer with his high school team and on the travel team circuit with Pure Prep along with Young & Reckless tells us that at this time he does not plan on signing with East Tennessee State who has has been verbally committed to. When asked on his status with ETSU he said, “I’m still committed.” Smart is the #9 overall prospect in the state’s 2020 class.
6:55 PM
Northern Michigan got their big man in Connor McCance out of Oswego as his NLI has been inked. Classic power back to the basket center that gets deep post position and finishes well in the paint. Excellent area rebounder!
6:45 PM
Big signature for SIU-Edwardsville as they keep the top senior in the metro east home! Collinsville point guard Ray’Sean Taylor is a dynamic scoring guard that can get buckets from all three levels and is a solid distributor. Looking to lead Collinsville to Southwestern Conference title and deep run in March!
5:40 PM
McKendree has got their southern Illinois duo sign, sealed, and delievered! Woodlawn combo guard Blake McKay tells PHI that he sent in his NLI this morning to the D2 program. Scoring guard that is going to light up gyms across the 618 this season!
5:35 PM
Plainfield North face up four man Colin O’Rourke has a skilled offensive game working well from the mid-range with his shot and being able to put it on the deck. He has signed his national letter of intent to Division 2 UW-Parkside!
5:30 PM
College of Charleston got a signature from their standout forward RJ Ogom. The Homewood Flossmoor four man is a physical force that is a high energy rebounder, tough scorer in the paint, and has an improving face up game!
4:15 PM
The state’s top prospect Whitney Young point guard DJ Steward makes it official signing with Duke! The elite national recruit had his choice of schools from coast to coast, but when the Blue Devils came calling and he took an official visit it was over! The silky smooth combo guard is a high level shooter and playmaker with the ball. One of the favorites for Mr. Basketball this season.
4:00 PM
Curie senior wing Ramean Hinton is one of the toughest competitors in this class. He brings it on both ends of the floor with his slashing and in your face defense. His tenacity brings up the level of those around him. That will happen at his future home SEMO where he committed back in early September. Today he signed his national letter of intent with Southeast Missouri State!
3:45 PM
One of the top players in the 618 has signed! Breese Mater Dei shooting guard Caleb Zurliene is an athletic wing that can play above the rim and has such a feathery jump shot. He will be taking his talents to Purdue Northwest to play his college basketball. Huge impact player at the D2 level that will contribute from day 1!
3:20 PM
Cary Grove big man Frank Jakubicek lit it up in June picking up a ton of offers during the high school live periods because of his stellar play. While in the middle of it all he said he found the school for him and shortly after committed to Belmont. The physical and skilled post put pen to paper this afternoon signing his national letter of intent!
3:00 PM
Stevenson is primed to make a run at Peoria this season in March. A major reason for that is their star guard Matthew Ambrose. The senior is a high level shooter with an advanced basketball IQ. Ambrose committed to Indianapolis over the weekend and he just informed PHI that he has signed his NLI to the D2 program!
2:35 PM
Romeoville shooting guard Destin Whitaker has signed his National Letter of Intent with Fresno State. The athletic wing with range on his shot will head out west after a really good career at Romeoville. He played with Meanstreets in the EYBL.
2:15 PM
Just got word from Bolingbrook head coach Rob Brost that his star senior combo guard Darius Burford has inked his national letter of intent to Elon. Like this prospects athleticism and ability to get downhill. Can play both on and off the ball effectively. Will be the go to player on another loaded guard group for the Raiders this season!
2:00 PM
One of the biggest stock riser from the summer was St. Viator small forward Connor Kochera. The skilled wing is a plus shooter, excellent passer, and improved ball handler. He shined with Fundamental U during the spring and with his high school team in July. Many schools jumped in, but William & Mary won him over for his commitment. Today he signed his national letter of intent. Game changer for them like Justin Pierce was a few years back.
12:50 PM
Loyola twins Bennett and Jordan Kwiecinski have each signed their national letters of intent! The Illinois Wolves duo will be going off to seperate colleges to play their college basketball. Bennett Kwiecinski has signed with Siena while Jordan Kwiecinski has inked with Drake. This duo should help Loyola be one of the top teams in the Chicago Catholic League this year.
12:20 PM
Another in-state pick up became official with the signature of Marian Catholic shooting guard Elijah Jones to Western Illinois. The two guard is a wiry and athletic wing known for his shooting, transition finishes, and defense. Starred with Team RWA on the travel team circuit!
11:15 AM
Bradley has announced their in-state signing of St. Charles North center Connor Linke. Physical post that rebounds, blocks shots, and protects the rim. Bradley pursued the big man aggressively over the last month and a couple weeks ago got the verbal commitment. Today it became official!
11:10 AM
Top 5 senior Geneseo small forward Isaiah Rivera has signed his NLI with Colorado State. He is primed to be one of the highest scorers in the state this year with his ability to get buckets with entire defenses focused on his every move. Big time pick up for the Rams who came into Illinois and secured this mid-major standout!
10:40 AM
Cary Grove point guard Beau Frericks is one of the best shooters in the state. Elite level shooter that shined consistently throughout the spring and summer for Team RWA. He will be staying local to play his college basketball at Lewis. The D2 program who has had success with in-state prospects got a good one in Frericks with his shot making and basketball savvy!
8:45 AM
The National Letters of Intent have been signed for the four Bloom commits! Keshawn Williams is the #3 overall prospect in the state! The Bloom shooting guard can really score it at a high level with his athleticism. He has inked his NLI with Tulsa! Minnesota Gophers got their man officially with the top big man in the state of Illinois Martice Mitchell signing with the Big 10 program. Rim runner, shot blocker, and can step out to hit a shot! The third member of the Young and Reckless group is Dante Maddox. The microwave scoring guard is headed to Cal State Fullerton where he will put up buckets for four years! The floor general of this group is Donovan Newby. Rock solid leader and set up man is headed to Wisconsin Milwaukee!
8:30 AM
Nashville shooting guard Carson Parker is one of the best prospects in southern Illinois. The silky smooth shooting guard helped lead his team to an appearance in the 2A state championship last year. Continued to elevate his stock with the Illinois Bears on the PrepHoops Circuit. He informs PHI that his National Letter of Intent has been sent in to McKendree! Steal for the local D2 program!
8:20 AM
We were with Naperville Central power forward Chris Conway in Minnesota the day he made his verbal commitment to Oakland University in Michigan as he broke his commitment in a video on PrepHoops. The D1 big man is a mobile post that can run the floor, block shots, and has offensive potential with his touch around the hoop. He tells PHI he has sent in his NLI to Oakland!
8:00 AM
First NLI of the day is in! Hinsdale Central power forward Ryan Isaacson tells PHI he has officially inked his letter with Merrimack. The new D1 school recently knocked off Northwestern and Issacson was in the crowd to see it. The floor spacing four man will provide shooting and size for his future program.
7:00 AM
Welcome to National Signing Day! Close to 40 Illinois prospects are expected to sign sometime this week with a D1 or D2 program. You can find that list below!