January 4, 2009

9:15 P.M. CST

Mike Mullins, the head coach and CEO of the Illinois Wolves traveling team program, informed us earlier this evening that the University of Wisconsin has received a verbal commitment from 6'7 class of 2011 wing prospect Devon Hodges from Romeoville High School in Romeoville, IL. 

While Hodges plays on an extremely talented Illinois Wolves 15-under squad, right now he is a player who remains very much under the radar.  We admittedly have not yet gotten a good look at Hodges, but the consensus on him is that he is a highly athletic wing prospect with huge up side and potential.  Seeing as though Hodges plays on a high school team that is located right in our front yard, we can guarantee everyone that we will be making a point to watch him play in the near future and offer a thorough scouting report.

The most significant part of Hodges' commitment is what it means to the future of Badger basketball recruiting in the class of 2011 in Illinois.  Due largely to the efforts of hard-working assistant coach Howard Moore, the Badgers are also very much in the running for a pair of other prospects who are Hodges' teammates on the Wolves--6'2 combo guard Chasson Randle from Rock Island High School in Rock Island, IL and 6'9 post Nnanna Egwu from St. Ignatius High School in Chicago.

Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan has offered scholarships to both Randle and Egwu and there is no question that with Hodges in the fold, it increases the Badgers' chances of possibly landing all three Wolves prospects.  In addition, Wisconsin is also recruiting yet another member of the Wolves 15-under team, that being 6'5 class of 2011 shooting guard Jacob Williams, who is currently at Bartlett High School in Bartlett, IL although ineligible to play basketball this season.  In all likelihood, he will be back at St. Patrick High School in Chicago come next fall.

Continue to check in with Illinois Prep Bulls-eye for all of the latest as it pertains to recruiting and high school basketball in Illinois.