THE MOMENT OF TRUTH

THE MOMENT OF TRUTH
East St. Louis heart-throb Jeremiah Tilmon requesting out of his letter of intent from University of Illinois didn’t catch many astute observers by surprise. East Saints finest prospects in hoops have historically never viewed Champaign as a destination to suit-up. In fact, our state’s flag-ship school isn’t even considered in the eyes of most of our Blue Chippers & their families to be relevant when it comes to big-time hoops. Northwestern’s hire of Chris Collins several years back sort of set the bar as a significant earmark for what administrators in Illini Country should seek. 38-year-old athletic director Josh Whitman, would have served himself well by asking the program’s gate keeper Julie P. for some much-needed advice. Now with big leaguer’s Travis Ford (St. Louis U) Cunzo Martin (Mizzou) lurking along the borders with their beefed-up contingent, you can truly anticipate the level of recruiting being at heighten. “Just to catalog the whole clip, Lawrence, Kansas isn’t far away either. Just saying.”

It hasn’t been reported yet, but DePaul is set to bring on-board Shane Heirman, the newly crown poster-boy from La Lumiere Prep as its new assistant June 1st. Well, the hired gun Heirman, should bring along plenty ammunition with his Prep-School bio. “He’s going to need it!” Within the brisk air of the Chicago climate, he will be quickly thrown under some serious flames upon arrival.

Ivy League-Columbia has added another Illinois player to its roster; Tai Bibbs from West Chicago committed a week ago. Bibbs, who we consider at the Spot-Liter a top 30 prospect in the 2017 Class should eventually team with former Fenwick stand-out guard Mike Smith, who just wrapped-up a stellar Freshman campaign.

Kenwood’s 6 foot 6 Manny Patterson pounced on opportunity to play in the Horizon League when he recently committed to Wisconsin Green-Bay. Now his focus should be cashing in on the opportunity by working hard & improving his raw offensive skills, mainly finishing better around the rim. No knock on him, because he’s a great kid and deserves the opportunity to veer out of the city. Uplifts brother duo of Demarius & Markese Jacobs will enroll in Hillcrest Prep out in Arizona next season. Both will have to focus on books & improving their over-all floor game. Uplift’s disappointing season stem from their inability of understanding situations and how the game is supposed to be played. Hopefully the Jacobs tandem will get some polish in the desert.

The state’s highly sought-after un-signed Senior Mark Smith is enjoying the finer romances of recruiting while just recently receiving an offer from Kentucky and having home visits with Missouri & Illinois. He’s visiting Michigan State this week-end and has Mizzou up next for campus tour. The Edwardsville stand-out will make a decision after playing in the up-coming Derby All-Star Game. Looks like Mizzou from afar.