Illini have lured promising haul, still looking
CITY/ SUBURBAN HOOPS REPORT
The high- major college- basketball programs in Illinois and other mid- majors around the Chicago area are closing out their Class of 2017 recruiting classes.
With the early signing period three weeks away, here is a look at where those programs stand.
DePaul
Committed: Jaylen Butz, 6- 9, Fort Wayne, Indiana ( North Side); Justin Roberts, 5- 11, Las Vegas ( Findlay Prep)
The buzz: The Blue Demons landed a good one in Roberts, who is from Indianapolis but will play for prep school giant Findlay Prep. Roberts should be able to step in on Day 1 at point guard.
What’s left to do: DePaul has two big targets on the board. The Blue Demons will try to keep Evanston star Nojel Eastern out of the Big Ten — the 6- 6 guard has taken official visits to Purdue and Michigan State. Also, 6- 10 Makhtar Gueye from Aspire Academy in Arizona remains a high priority.
Illinois
Committed: Jeremiah Tilmon, 6- 10, East St. Louis; Da’Monte Williams, 6- 3, Peoria ( Manual); Javon Pickett, 6- 4, Belleville ( East); Trent Frazier, 6- 2, West Palm Beach, Florida ( Wellington).
The buzz: The headliner of this highly- regarded class is Tilmon, the state’s top prospect and one of the top 25 prospects in the country. But adding Frazier, ranked in the top 100 nationally at point guard, was huge.
What’s left to do: Illinois would love to add one more to this class — and possibly two if it’s the right pair. The big prize is 6- 7 Kris Wilkes, a five- star out of Indianapolis who is down to Illinois, Indiana and UCLA. But 6- 9 Mayan Kiir from Victory Rock Prep in Florida would provide a significant boost, too.
Northwestern
Committed: Anthony Gaines, 6- 4, New Hampton, New Hampshire ( New Hampton Prep)
The buzz: The class will be small, but most importantly, the Wildcats were able to land a player they truly coveted in Gaines, a guard with size, length and athleticism. Gaines had close to 20 offers, including Dayton and Butler, before committing to coach Chris Collins.
What’s left to do: The Wildcats want to add one more player and are heavily involved with Zach Kent, a 6- 10 post out of Middletown, Delaware. Seton Hall, Tennessee, St. Bonaventure havemade offers.
Loyola
Committed: Cameron Krutwig, 6- 9, Algonquin ( Jacobs).
The buzz: Landing Krutwig, one of the top 10 prospects in the senior class in Illinois, was a significant recruiting victory. A true big man with size, skill, he competes and produces at a high level.
What’s left to do: The Ramblers are in the mix with Larkin’s Christian Negron, who recently tore an ACL. Coach Porter Moser and his staff would like nothing more than to land this 6- 6 athletic forward.
UIC
Committed: Greg Eboigbodin, 6- 9, Detroit ( Jesuit).
The buzz: After putting together its best class in years last year, UIC added an intriguing player with legit size and a big upside in Eboigbodin, who had a surplus of mid- major offers.
What’s left to do: What a jolt the program would receive if it lands Curie’s Elijah Joiner, a 6- 2 guard who garnered high- major offers. Joiner completed an official visit to UIC this past weekend and would bring All- Horizon League potential.