Here’s what we missed
These storylines would’ve emerged if basketball had been played throughout Illinois this June
The two new evaluation-period weekends in June that proved to be so highly beneficial in the recruiting landscape a year ago were wiped away by the coronavirus, as was the entire spring evaluation period. Every class has been hit hard. But the Class of 2022, next year’s junior class, was just getting prepared to put itself on the map. There would have been a lot of attention thrown its way as college coaches started to familiarize themselves with the next group of up-and-coming prospects.
Here are some storylines that would’ve developed over the course of the past month if June basketball had been played throughout Illinois.
Glenbard West tandem would have opened eyes
There are two bona fide Division I prospects in Glen Ellyn who have hardly been seen.
While Glenbard West has produced Division I players in John Shurna (Northwestern), Justin Pierce (William & Mary/North Carolina) and Evan Taylor (Lehigh) in recent years, it’s not exactly a household basketball name. The Hilltoppers weren’t a must-see for college coaches this past winter.
Glenbard West’s tandem of 6-9 Braden Huff and 6-4 Cade Pierce were unable to showcase their talent and versatility.
Huff and Pierce, promising prospects in the Class of 2022, would have certainly opened eyes in June while playing with their very promising Glenbard West team. Nonetheless, the interest is starting to trickle in for both.
Northwestern and Virginia Tech have made offers to Huff while a surplus of highmajor programs have jumped in and are involved in his recruitment. Pierce picked up an offer from UIC and is hearing from several other low-major and mid-major programs.
Jaden Schutt would have solidified early billing, raised profile
While he has been among the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s top prospects in Illinois in the Class of 2022 since his freshman year, Yorkville Christian’s Jaden Schutt had not been seen all that much by the time his sophomore season ended.
That was all set to change this spring and summer.
The Class of 2022 as a whole generally gains more focus among college coaches as the group inches closer to its junior season. Schutt was set for a big run with the Illinois
Wolves on the club circuit, and Yorkville Christian would have been watched in June.
Schutt is as pure and natural of a shooter as I’ve watched in 24 years of publishing the City/ Suburban Hoops Report recruiting service. He still gained a ton of attention recently. Even without actually playing in live events over the past month, the tape and local superlatives didn’t lie.
He has picked up offers from Creighton, Illinois, Iowa, Marquette, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern and Xavier, among others.
But with a full spring and summer platform, Schutt would have gotten more national attention from evaluators and college programs outside the Midwest. He’s on pace to become a top-100 player in the country in the Class of 2022.
A star would have emerged at St. Pat’s
Coach Mike Bailey has a blossoming talent at St. Patrick in the Class of 2022.
Timaris Brown, a developing 6-4 versatile wing, averaged 12.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 blocks this past season as a sophomore. Brown also made 40 three-pointers.
A super-intriguing college prospect, the lefty not only fills up a stat sheet but boasts the physical tools — his basketball body and athleticism — that are so attractive. Plus, he has that whole “just scratching the surface as a player” thing going for him.
Central Illinois pair would have made a name for themselves
The tandem of Jalen Quinn of Tuscola and Zach Cleveland of Normal were set to have things heat up around them this summer.
Quinn, a point guard with terrific 6-3 size, has been an impact player at Tuscola, located 30 minutes south of Champaign, since he entered high school. This past season, he put up 20.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and four assists. He plays with poise and a feel at a position that calls for it.
UIC and Southeast Missouri State made offers in June, and more than 20 Division I programs have been in contact with Quinn.
Cleveland is a relatively unknown player outside the Bloomington-Normal area. But the 6-6 junior-to-be put together a rock-solid sophomore season, averaging 15.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks.
The athletic four-man runs the floor, finishes above the rim and has a family tree of height that could potentially push him to 6-7 or 6-8. ✶