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Here you will find the most comprehensive coverage of Illinois prep basketball that you will come across anywhere.
Seton Academy Is The Team To Beat In Illinois In Class 2A
There are several reasons why Seton Academy is currently the premier team in the state of Illinois from the class 2A ranks. Among them are that they sport considerable depth, they have proven themselves against tough competition and many of their players are interchangeable. In this entry, Illinois Prep Bulls-eye takes a closer look at everything that the Seton team brings to the table.
Five Unheralded Scholarship Players In Illinois
At this time of year more than a few college coaches are looking for players who have gone under the radar or slipped through the cracks so to speak as they focus on filling out their 2012 recruiting classes. As it turns out, Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has found a few since the start of the New Year. We provide an in-depth look at who those players are in this report.
Okafor vs. Alexander Is Entertaining But Guard Play Proves To Be The Difference At Whitney Young Shootout
The head-to-head matchup at the Whitney Young Shootout between Whitney Young's Jahlil Okafor and Curie's Cliff Alexander, who both rank among the top 25 prospects nationally from the 2014 class, was exciting to watch and certainly had instances where it drew some oohs and ahs. But at the end of the evening, it was outstanding back court play that was the most vital ingredient in ensuring Curie's victory as well as wins for a couple of other participants. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye expounds with further analysis in this report.
Crandall Head To Transfer To DePaul
We first addressed the likelihood of Crandall Head transferring to DePaul a couple of days ago and sure enough it has become reality. That is because Head has announced that after spending a semester at a local JUCO, he will enroll at DePaul next Fall, thus speeding up his eligibility to play for the Blue Demons. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has all of the particulars in this story.
Derrick Randolph Commits To WAC School As 2013 Recruit
Derrick Randolph has had to overcome numerous hardships throughout his time in high school but has never given up in his quest to play D1 college basketball. That determination, along with the never-ending support of those close to him have enabled him to make that dream a reality. As a result, Randolph has committed to a WAC school and has also succeeded in landing at a new high school where he will not only be playing his high school basketball but where he also hopes to graduate from.
Eight New Teams Announced As Proviso West Holiday Tournament Expands To 32 Teams
Joe Spagnolo has wasted no time whatsoever in his effort to make the Proviso West Holiday Tournament even bigger and better. As a result, he has officially added eight new teams to the tournament field, which will expand to 32 teams in 2012. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the news on the new entrants and other specifics in this update
Latest Recruiting Blurbs: Okafor, Parker, Wilbut And More
With the high school and college basketball seasons in full swing, it remains a busy time on the recruiting trail as coaches continue to trek to gyms to watch key targets in action, underclassmen are busy taking unofficial visits and scholarship offers keep mounting. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye catches everyone up with the recent activity including news relating to Jahlil Okafor, Jabari Parker and Jerron Wilbut in the latest rendition of our recruiting blurbs.
Class Of 2014 Player Watch: Tyquone Greer
Orr's Tyquone Greer has been turning heads with his strong play since the start of the Illinois high school basketball season and in doing so has shown that could be among the elite prospects in Illinois from the 2014 class. We will say this much--there may not be a more athletic player from amongst that group. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more on Greer's game and what makes him so intriguing in this player watch.
Jalen James Transfers To LaLumiere Academy
University Of Illinois commit Jalen James has decided to do what he feels is in his best interests from an academic standpoint. As a result, James has left Hope Academy in Chicago and will be attending prep school. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more specifics in this update.
The Best Of Holiday Tournaments In Illinois
For a thorough and comprehensive breakdown on all of the top holiday tournaments in Illinois, we encourage everyone to read our analysis which can be found at www.csnchicago.com/preps/news/Who-was-the-best-of-the-holidays?blockID=624572&feedID
The Most Underrated High School Back Court In Illinois? It's At Bloom!
There are a number of talented back court combinations in the Illinois high school basketball ranks who are vital to their team's success. But none have been taken more for granted than the Bloom Township duo of Donald Moore and Lejavius Johnson. They offered further evidence of this at the McDipper Holiday Tournament, where they led Bloom to the tournament championship and in doing so laid claim to being the premier team in Chicago's south suburbs. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more on Moore and Johnson's games in this report.
Class Of 2014 Player Watch: Ore Arogundade
St. Viator's Ore Arogundade is a player who has definitely fallen under the radar when it comes to talking about top wing prospects in Illinois from the 2014 class. Having started the season off strong thus far, including turning in impressive outings at the Wheeling Hardwood Classic, we have a feeling that Arogundade's reputation is going to start growing. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye explains why in this player watch.
Class Of 2015 Player Watch: Jalen Brunson
There are several talented guard prospects in the state of Illinois from the class of 2015. However, we are convinced that there are none better than Stevenson's Jalen Brunson after watching him turn in a solid performance at the Wheeling Hardwood Classic. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more on Brunson's game and why he is such an attractive underclass prospect in this player watch.
Gavin Schilling Adds Three More Scholarship Offers
De LaSalle's Gavin Schilling continues to rake in scholarship offers left and right just as we said he would. Schilling's latest trio of offers comes courtesy of schools in the Big Ten, Mountain West and SEC. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has further specifics in this update
Analysis And Commentary: Was Jabari Parker's Performance vs. Calumet A "Signature Moment"? We Say "Yes"!
There has been some recent debate amongst Chicago area mediaheads and recruiting analysts regarding what constitutes a "signature moment" as it pertains to top-ranked high school basketball prospects and whether that moment is needed in order to signify a player's greatness. With that in mind, the 40 point/16 rebound effort that Simeon's Jabari Parker totalled in a conference win over Perspectives-Calumet certainly qualifies as a "signature moment." Illinois Prep Bulls-eye lets everyone know why in this analysis and commentary.
Jahlil Okafor And Tommy Hamilton Land ACC Scholarship Offers
It was a highly succesful weekend in the state of North Carolina for Whitney Young High School--especially for 6'10 super-soph Jahlil Okafor and 6'9 junior Tommy Hamilton. First, Whitney Young achieved a victory at theClash At Capel in Fayetteville on Saturday night. Then today their two elite big men came away with scholarship offers courtesy of an ACC program. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the latest in this report.
Alex Foster Adds Big Ten, Big 12 And Mountain West Offers
The play of De LaSalle's Alex Foster continues to be up and down, but that has not discouraged a number of college coaches who have seen him in action recently. In fact, Foster has now added a trio of scholarship offers to his collection, courtesy of schools in the Big Ten, Big 12 and Mountain West conferences respectively. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has all of the details in this update.
Class Of 2013 Hidden Gem: Miki Ljuboja
Curie's Cliff Alexander and Farragut's Rashaun Stimage were the big names coming into yesterday's Team Rose Classic, but it wasn't long before everyone was talking about the play of Riverside-Brookfield's Miki Ljuboja. And rightfully so, as Ljuboja showed that he is a definite D1 prospect from the 2013 class in Illinois. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more on Ljuboja's game in this hidden gem story and includes some additional notes from the Team Rose Classic.
Paul Turner Lands Another Big Ten Scholarship Offer
There is a Big Ten school who has been hot and heavy on the recruiting trail of St. Joseph's 2014 guard Paul Turner and we know that it was only a matter of time before they would be coming forward with a scholarship offer. That time is now and as a result Turner has now received his seventh D1 offer to date. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the particulars in this update.
Top Early Season Performers In Illinois
The Illinois high school basketball season is now almost three weeks old and there have been plenty of individual standouts in the early going. But who has been among the best? Illinois Prep Bulls-eye answers that question by taking a look at the players who have turned in the top performances thus far based on what we have seen in this update.
Sizing Up 2014 Prospects In Downstate Illinois
Four of the top high school basketball prospects in Illinois from the class of 2014 were in action this weekend at the Sportsradio 1450 Shootout in Springfield, IL. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye was there and offers our impressions and analysis on each player's performance at the event in this report.
Top Available Spring Recruits In Illinois From 2012 Class
The Fall signing period has come and gone but there are more than a few Illinois-based prospects from the class of 2012 who are still on the board. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye takes a look at the top 2012 recruits from the Land Of Lincoln who will be available come Spring time in this report.
Class Of 2014 Player Watch: Tyler Ulis
He may only be 5'8, but Marian Catholic's Tyler Ulis stepped up in a big way this past week at the Chicago Heights Thanksgiving Classic. In doing so, Ulis proved to us that he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath with all of the elite guard prospects in Illinois from the 2014 class. In this player watch, Illinois Prep Bulls-eye breaks down Ulis' game and explains why he is a high major prospect.
Philipe Rech: The Best Player In Illinois Nobody Knows About?
Philipe Rech may just be the best kept secret amongst 2013 prospects in the state of Illinois. That is because the foreign import has only been in the U.S. for about three months and was recently ruled eligible at a high school in the deep south region of the state. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye provides some background on Rech and everything that he brings to the table in this report.
Editor's Note: This entry has since been updated to reflect new information concerning Rech's eligibility status.
Class Of 2013 Hidden Gem: Ben Moore
Bolingbrook's Ben Moore burst onto the scene this Fall with his strong play in open gym sessions. As a result, he currently has a scholarship offer on the table and is also attracting widespread interest from several other D1 and D2 programs. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has a closer look at Moore's game in this hidden gem story.
Gavin Schilling Picks Up A Pair Of Pac-12 Scholarship Offers
We previously stated that De LaSalle's Gavin Schilling would be seeing his recruiting stock go through the roof once more college coaches caught wind of him. That has certainly begun to be the case as several schools in the Pac-12 have now zeroed in on Schilling. The result? The 2013 frontcourt prospect has added two more scholarship offers to his collection. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the latest in this report.
Brett Bisping Commits To MAAC School
Until recently Morton's Brett Bisping wasn't exactly sure where his recruitment stood. However, after recently being offered a scholarship by a Metro Atlantic Conference program and then following up with an official visit, Bisping knew exactly where he wanted to attend college. As a result, he is now off the board. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the specifics behind Bisping's commitment in this story.
The Biggest Happening In Illinois On Signing Day? It's At The D3 Level!
On a day when national analysts and local media heads clamor for the spotlight when it comes to trying to provide recruiting news, the story of the day yesterday from an Illinois-based recruiting standpoint was two 2012 players from a high-profile basketball power in the Chicago Public League deciding to play their college hoops at a D3 university. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye lets everyone know why this is most significant in this story.
Clemson Lands 2012 Guard With Chicago Roots
Brad Brownell and the Clemson Tigers have long had landing an athletic guard as one of their top priorities in their 2012 recruiting class. As it turns out, Brownell has found his man in the form of a prep school product who began playing his high school basketball in Chicago. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the word on the commitment in this story.
Keith Carter Commits To Atlantic Ten School
After decommitting from Loyola-Chicago a couple of months ago, Proviso East's Keith Carter and his father kept things very close to the vest with respect to Carter's recruitment. However, a school in the Atlantic Ten Conference immediately jumped into the fray. And now after taking an official visit to that school, Carter has decided to close things out for real this time, as he has offered up a verbal commitment. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the details on how Carter's commitment came about in this story.
Keita Bates-Diop Receives Another Big Ten Scholarship Offer
Normal U-High's Keita Bates-Diop has long been a recruiting target for several Big Ten programs, and now some of them have stepped up to the plate with scholarship offers. Bates-Diop received his second Big Ten offer after visiting that school's campus for the second successive weekend. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the latest in this update.
Analysis And Commentary: NCAA Needs To Regulate Unofficial Visits
The NCAA has shown that they are intent on restoring greater integrity to college basketball recruiting by passing a new recruiting model, but we believe that they still have an even greater issue on their hands. It involves the unlimited number of unofficial visits that basketball recruits of all ages continue to make regularly. We will go as far as to say that it may be the #1 problem as it relates to basketball recruiting today, as many recruits across the country are simply abusing this privilege. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye breaks down the reason why this is a problem and also offers suggestions for possible NCAA regulation in this analysis and commentary.
Western Michigan Lands A 2 For 1 With Latest 2012 Commitment
This one kind of came out of nowhere, but as it turns out Western Michigan University head coach Steve Hawkins has hit the recruiting jackpot in 2012 when it comes to landing players from Chicago's north suburbs. That is because Hawkins has succeeded in receiving his second commitment in two days from an athletic front court prospect who hails from the same traveling team program as the player who pulled the trigger for the Broncos yesterday. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye fills everyone in with the particulars in this story.
Charles Harris Commits To MAC School
We have long regarded Lake Forest Academy's Charles Harris as an ideal mid-major recruit--a stellar athlete with untapped potential. As it turns out, Harris has found a college program at that level that provides him with a perfect fit, as he offered up a commitment to a MAC school upon the conclusion of his official visit there. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more behind Harris' commitment in this story.
Wayne State Lands Commitment From Sleeper 2012 Big Man
Ever since the beginning of the summer, Wayne State College has been hitting the state of Illinois extremely hard. The D2 school's recruiting efforts in the Land Of Lincoln are already paying off in a big-time way, as the Wildcats have received a commitment in the 2012 class from an underrated front court prospect who we believe could have played at a low D1 program. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the news in this story.
Loyola-Chicago Receives Commitment From 2012 Combo Guard
From the time that Proviso East's Keith Carter decided to decommit, Loyola-Chicago head coach Porter Moser had been considering a number of guard options when it came to filling out his 2012 recruiting class. As it turns out, Moser and the Ramblers have filled the void quite nicely by securing a commitment from a combo guard from central Illinois. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the lowdown in this story.
Recruiting Analysis: It's Still Early In The Process For Both Schilling And Hamilton
It seems as though there is always some degree of recruiting speculation and innuendo that results in the aftermath of Midnight Madness weekend. Two Illinois-based prospects from the 2013 class who have been at the center of that lately are De LaSalle's Gavin Schilling and Whitney Young's Tommy Hamilton. A lot of it has been blown out of proportion, while at the same time there are points that have either been underemphasized or that some are completely unaware of altogether. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye offers further thoughts and analysis in this report.
Darius Austin And Darreon Reddick Receive Big East Scholarship Offers
All of the hard work that Cahokia's Darius Austin has put in is continuing to pay off, both on and off the court. After a busy weekend which saw him take a pair of unofficial visits, Austin has landed his third D1 scholarship offer courtesy of a Big East school. Not only that, but one of Austin's traveling team partners--Belleville East's Darreon Reddick--received an offer from the same school as well. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has all of the specifics in this report.
Paul White Receives Pac Ten Scholarship Offer
One of the many talented prospects at Whitney Young that high majors have been flocking to see over the last month is 2014 wing Paul White. Now that he is healthy after missing a chunk of the summer due to injury, the scholarship offers are pouring in. The latest to come forward is a Pac Ten program that has traditionally recruited extremely well in Illinois. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye serves up the goods in this update.
Recruiting Update: Andrew McAuliffe
Glenbrook North's Andrew McAuliffe continues to work hard at his game in addition to sorting through the recruiting process, including preparing for a couple of upcoming campus visits. McAuliffe's efforts and focus have also resulted in him adding a couple of more scholarship offers to his collection. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has everything of note with respect to what is going on with McAuliffe in this update.
Mike LaTulip Commits To Big Ten School As Preferred Walk-On
The two things that Prospect's Mike LaTulip was looking at above everything else when it came to his recruitment go very much hand-in-hand: the opportunity to play college basketball at the highest level and to do so at a school where he could get a great education. As it turns out, LaTulip will have the opportunity to do just that, as he has decided to be a preferred walk-on at a Big Ten program after taking his second unofficial visit to the school this weekend. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has all of the details with respect to how LaTulip's commitment came about in this story.
Lewis University Lands Two 2012 Commitments
Lewis University head coach Scott Trost has made it known that front court players are the foremost priority when it comes to his 2012 recruitment. And with that being said, Trost and Lewis have gotten a great jump in that respect as they have received a pair of commitments from big men in the 2012 class that they coveted heavily from the get-go. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more on both commitments in this story.
Recruiting Update: David Cohn
College coaches may have been sleeping on David Cohn a bit as the result of an injury that kept him out of action throughout the July evaluation period. However, Cohn has been attracting considerable recruiting attention since the Fall contact period began, with a number of schools coming in to visit. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye fills everyone in on who Cohn is drawing looks from and breaks down what he brings to the table in this update.
Banner Recruiting Weekend At University Of Illinois Culminates With 2013 Commitment From In-State 2-Guard
If this weekend's recruiting festivities at the University Of Illinois could be compared to a game of "Jeopardy!" then Bruce Weber and the Illini hit a true daily double. That is because fresh on the heels of landing a commitment from a 2012 point guard, they followed it up by receiving a pledge from an in-state shooting guard who had become their top recruiting priority at that position in the 2013 class. In doing so Weber and his staff were able to put the icing on the cake to what has resulted in a stellar weekend recruiting-wise. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye elaborates further with respect to the latest Illini commitment in this story.
Recruiting At Loyola-Chicago Is In A Euphoric State As Porter Moser Lands His First 2013 Commit
What is going on recruiting-wise at Loyola-Chicago is absolutely insane and we mean that in a most complimentary way. We say that because new Ramblers head coach Porter Moser and his staff have now received a total of five commitments this month. They added to their stellar recruiting arsenal tonight by securing their first commitment in the 2013 class in the form of a talented in-state guard from Chicago's west suburbs. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the details in this story.
Class Of 2013 Stock Raiser: Nathan Taphorn
Yes, the 16-Under Illinois Wolves have several high major guards from the loaded 2013 class in Illinois. However, there have been several other players who have been just as instrumental in the team's success thus far. One who definitely fits that description is Pekin's Nathan Taphorn , who may have put himself on the map after an outstanding performance at the Bill Hensley Memorial Run 'n Slam All-Star Classic. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye provides a breakdown of Taphorn's game in this stock-raiser story.
Class Of 2015 Player Watch: Jordan Ash
Those who know us realize that we seldom tout prospects who are only in eighth grade and when we do it is because we see that player as being truly special. There is no question that 5'11 guard Jordan Ash falls into that category. That is because Ash has been nothing short of electrifying since the spring started while playing on the traveling team circuit for the 15-Under Illinois Wolves. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye breaks down all of the things that make Ash a marquee underclass talent in this player watch.
Billy Garrett Jr. Does The Expected And Commits To Big East School
It was widely believed that Morgan Park's Billy Garrett Jr. would make his college decision by the beginning of this summer. As it turns out, the class of 2013 guard is off the board even sooner. That is because Garrett Jr. has closed things out by committing to a Big East school, the choice of which comes as no surprise to anybody in the basketball world. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has all of the particulars behind Garrett Jr's commitment in this story.
Kendall Stephens Decides To End It Early--Commits To Big Ten School
It was pretty much a foregone conclusion that once Kendall Stephens received the scholarship offer that he was looking for from a certain Big Ten school that he would be off the board quickly. With the offer having become a reality not long ago, Stephens decided not to waste any more time and has verbally committed to that program. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye fills everyone in with the particulars in this story.
Class Of 2013 Player Watch: Sterling Brown
Proviso East's Sterling Brown certainly has a lot going for him, including a strong work ethic and the fact that he has an older brother currently playing in the NBA. In addition, Brown has turned in outstanding performances all season long thus far and as a result has proven that he ranks among the top prospects in Illinois from the 2013 class. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye takes a closer look at Brown and his game in this player watch story.
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