July 5, 2008

10:15 A.M. CST

Kevin Berardini is a quality student-athlete who knows exactly what he is looking for when it comes to choosing a college.  With that being said, he is working overtime in order to make his dream come true.  Simply put, the 6'0 point guard from Lake Forest High School in Lake Forest, IL is looking for the perfect blend of academics and basketball.

Berardini recently completed a ten day tour of the East Coast which included visits to five D1 schools--three from the Ivy League and two from the Patriot League.  His trip began with a visit to Princeton.  He told us that although he really liked the campus and that the coaching staff did express sincere interest in him that the Tigers are looking to go in a different direction and are recruiting other point guards. 

From Princeton, Berardini ventured to Columbia, where he got a chance to tour the campus as well as put his game on display.  Berardini said that the Columbia coaching staff was especially impressed with his competitive nature ("how hard he gets after it") and his shooting ability.  Upon finishing up at Columbia, Berardini then treked to Bucknell and said that he really hit it off with new Bison head coach Dave Paulsen and his entire coaching staff.  

Berardini's final two visits were to Colgate, which was the first D1 school to express interest in him, and Harvard.  During his time at Harvard, Berardini participated in their elite camp and played on the same team as one of his future AAU teammates--6'7 Mack Darrow from Barrington High School in Barrington, IL.  Berardini mentioned that Harvard head coach Tommy Amaker and his coaching staff really liked the way that he and Darrow played together and the chemistry that exists between the two of them.

Now that he has returned from his extensive East Coast tour, we asked Berardini if any visit in particular stood out.  He said that as of now his three favorites are Harvard, Columbia and Bucknell and that he puts all of them on equal par.  Berardini said that in addition to being outstanding academic institutions, one thing that all three schools have in common is their commitment to basketball, meaning that all three have a never-ending desire to build a strong basketball program and continue to get better in the future.

While we have covered the basketball end, let's turn to the academic side for a moment.  Berardini sports a 4.7 g.p.a. on a 5.0 scale, so it's obvious that admission to any of the schools on his list won't be a problem.  He would like to study either journalism, business or political science.  The word "class" can never be overused when it comes to describing the way in which Berardini carries himself both on and off the court.  It is therefore no wonder that regardless of how things work out for Berardini with respect to basketball, that he undoubtedly has a world of opportunity ahead of him.

Berardini will have a busy month of July.  He will compete on the traveling team circuit with Full Package Athletics and is currently participating in the Adidas It Takes 5ve Classic in Cincinnati.  He will also take part in the Academic All-American Showcase at the Joy Of The Game Center in Deerfield, IL, which is sure to be well-represented with college coaches from both the Ivy League and Patriot League, as well as other top academic schools throughout the country at all college levels.

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.