Kenny Pittman (2018): Recruiting Update
Kenny Pittman (2018) anticipates a larger role for one of the largest names in Illinois basketball.
Simeon.
The name Simeon carries with it great weight throughout the Midwest.
Sure, everybody knows the names Derrick Rose, Kevin Garnett, Jabari Parker, Nick Anderson, Deon Thomas, and Ben Wilson. But don’t forget Bryant Notree, Bobby Simmons, or Ronnie Fields.
Even though the reigning second-place Simeon Wolverine’s lost Evan Gilyard to graduation, Simeon has more. They always do.
Talen Horton-Tucker was magnificent in the IHSA Final Four. Kezo Brown, Kejuan Clements, and Messiah Jones figure to retain their starting spots next fall.
Bakari Simmons has shown promise on the AAU circuit with Mac Irvin FIRE.
“It is great,” said Pittman. “Everywhere you go, you tell people you play for Simeon, they expect big things out of you. It is just a really good program.”
Just today Simeon added incoming freshman Ahamad Bynum to an already stacked roster.
Pittman expects a transfer or two to join, as well.
“We are supposed to get some more transfers in yet,” said Pittman.
Who is joining the Wolverine’s?
“(Chuckles) I ain’t revealing that right now.”
Expanding
The fight for playing time will be as contentious as usual, but Pittman intends to win position battles.
“I got a really big role,” said Pittman. “I don’t know if I am starting or not yet, but hopefully whatever I do I will come in a produce. Play big minutes and score the ball…help my team out.”
It is safe to say Pittman and the Simeon coaches were let down by his junior season.
Known as a shooter Pittman scored just 29 field goals in 32 games, for an average of 2.8 ppg.
After a particularly strong game in February, Pittman addressed his start.
“They expected this from me the whole season,” Pittman told the Chicago Sun Times in February. “It’s a lot of pressure, but I’m used to it. I’ve always been the best shooter on my team, since grammar school. I’m glad to be back now.”
Recruitment
Running with Team Y & R 17u Pittman plays AAU this summer with another exceptional shooter in Sam Shafer (Lincoln Way East). Maurice Commander can hold his own beyond the arc too.
The most consistent backcourt scorer with Head Coach Justin Brin’s Y&R could be J.J. Flores.
Seemingly the entire team is attracting D1 attention.
“I got Drake, SIUE, Kent State, University of Tennessee Martin,” rattled off Pittman. “I talked to Bradley. NIU. EIU.”
Coach Brin mentioned Colgate too.
“He is going to go to SIUE Elite Camp this weekend,” said Coach Brin. “June 3rd.”
It is not a coincidence that Pittman’s recruitment began to take off when he switched to Y&R last July. Within the offense he is given confidence and opportunities to attack.
Pittman can get off the deck or hit from deep. If he can display that multi-faceted game in Edwardsville Saturday, then he might just earn his first D1 offer.