Illinois National Signing Day Blog

Today is a big day for the class of 2021 in the state.  It is the first day that prospects can sign their national letters of intent with the schools they have been committed previously.  PHI will be here all day breaking down the signings and if any news breaks.  Stay locked on our National Signing Day Blog!

6:45 PM

Evanston guard Blake Peters Blake Peters 6'1" | SG Evanston | 2021 State IL is headed to Princeton making it official today.  Not only is Peters one of the premier shooter we have seen in the last 10  years he has greatly improved his ball handling and playmaking over the last six months.

5:40 PM

Another top 5 player has made it official as long time DePaul Blue Demons commit Ahamad Bynum Ahamad Bynum 6'2" | SG Simeon | 2021 State #94 Nation IL just told me he signed his NLI with the Big East program.  Bynum will bring instant backcourt scoring to his home town squad.  He is coming off a dominant weekend against some of the best talent in nation at Pangos All-American Festival.

5:10 PM

Fenwick superstar Bryce Hopkins Bryce Hopkins 6'7" | PF Fenwick | 2021 State #32 Nation IL tells PHI he has sent in his national letter of intent to Kentucky.  The Wildcats got his commitment last month after he reopened his recruitment.  The potential five-star talent is a new age forward that was one of the most coveted prospects in the country.

5:00 PM

Hillsdale got their man in Lake Forest forward Walter Mattingly Walter Mattingly 6'6" | SF Deerfield | 2021 State IL .  The skilled combo forward stretches the floor with his shooting and has sneaky athleticism.  Really nice get for the D2 program!

1:30 PM

The top center in the state has officially signed with the Wisconsin Badgers.  Long time commit Schaumburg post Chris Hodges Chris Hodges 6'7" | C Schaumburg | 2021 State #84 Nation IL has made it official by inking his NLI.  Hodges has been a top 5 prospect in the class his entire career with his combination of post scoring, rebound, and defense.  His face up game continues to improve each time we see him!

12:20 PM

Our first D2 signee of the day is in!  Rock Island point guard Jordan Rice Jordan Rice 5'7" | PG Rock Island | 2021 State IL has signed his letter of intent to in-state Illinois-Springfield.  Really like this pick up as Rice is a high IQ guard that can distribute as well as fill it up scoring when needed.

12:15 PM

One of the most versatile players in the class Hillcrest forward Julius Rollins Julius Rollins 6'7" | SF Hillcrest | 2021 State IL has officially signed with Kent State!  Rollins can play inside and outside with his athleticism.  Also a quality defender and rebounder with his quickness.  Big time pick up for Kent State!

11:15 AM

SIU gets their big man!  Mundelein five man Scottie Ebube Scottie Ebube 6'7" | C Mundelein | 2021 State #247 Nation IL has sent in his NLI to the Salukis.  Ebube is one of the most physically dominating presences on the interior in the 2021 class in Illinois.  High level rebounder, post defender, and continues to improve offensively.

9:25 AM

Loyola gets their second NLI of the day.  This one comes from their future star guard  Ty Johnson Ty Johnson 6'3" | PG Depaul Prep | 2021 State #198 Nation IL .  The DePaul Prep lead guard has really elevated his stock over the last year with his ability to run a team, use his athleticism getting to the cup, and has an overall excellent feel for the game.  Johnson was a prospect that a ton of mid-major plus schools were heavily recruiting, but Loyola got their man and today scored his signature!

8:55 AM

Drake continues to load up with prospects from the state of Illinois.  The latest is their 2021 point guard commit  Conor Enright Conor Enright 6'1" | PG Mundelein | 2021 State IL .  The Mundelein guard has sent in his national letter of intent to Drake this morning.  The Bulldogs are getting a high IQ guard that knows how to run a team and is a capable pull up jump shooter.  Enright was the first prospect in this class to commit and now he has inked his NLI!

8:50 AM

UMass got their big man!  One of the state’s top post prospects DePaul Prep center Brian Mathews Brian Mathews 6'8" | C Depaul Prep | 2021 State IL has made it official as he will be headed to Massachusetts to play his college hoops.  Mathews had an excellent summer with Hoops Intensity Training proving he is one of the premier rebounders and post scorers in the 2021 class in Illinois!

8:30 AM

SIU gets their first of two big in-state signatures today.  Niles Notre Dame small forward Troy D’Amico Troy D’Amico 6'7" | SF Niles Notre Dame | 2021 State #181 Nation IL has sent in his NLI to the Salukis.  D’Amico was a huge recruiting win for the Missouri Valley program as he was a coveted mid-major recruit.  One of the best combinations of shooting, passing, and rebounding in the class.  Does a little bit of everything for a team that will be among the best in the state once basketball gets underway.

8:15 AM

#1 is official to Sparty!  Rolling Meadows senior shooting guard  Max Christie Max Christie 6'4" | SG Rolling Meadows | 2021 State #12 Nation IL has made his commitment to Michigan State official by signing his NLI.  The Big 10 program won out a tough recruitment with top programs coast to coast pursuing the five-star talent.  Christie is one of the best wing prospects in the country with a feathery perimeter game.

7:50 AM

Our next signing day ceremony has just concluded as Neuqua Valley small forward  John Poulakidas John Poulakidas 6'6" | SF Nequa Valley | 2021 State #155 Nation IL makes it official he will be headed to Yale.  The #5 overall prospect in the PHI 2021 class is a lefty scoring machine.  One of the best pull up shooters in recent memory from both mid-range and three.  His all-around game has greatly improved with his ball handling, athleticism, and defense.  Impact player in the Ivy League!

7:10 AM

Welcome to National Signing Day!  Our first signature of the day has happened as Waubonsie Valley kicked things off with a ceremony for their star shooting guard Ben Schwieger Ben Schwieger 6'5" | SG Waubonsie Valley | 2021 State #229 Nation IL .  The athletic wing brings bounce and perimeter shot making to the table.  Was a coveted mid-major prospect which Loyola eventually won out.  Today he officially signed his NLI with the Ramblers!