EARLY 2021 SIGNEES & COMMITMENTS

NAME HT POS RANK HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE CHOICE

• Chris Hodges 6-8 PF 3 Schaumburg University Wisconsin

• Connor Enright 6-2 PG 12 Mundelein Drake University

• Ahmad Bynum 6-2 G 4 Simeon DePaul University

• Bryce Hopkins 6-7 G/F 2 Fenwick Kentucky or Michigan

• Louis Lesmond 6-6 WG 8 Niles Notre Dame Harvard University

• Isaiah Barnes 6-7 WG 6 Simeon University Michigan

• Max Christie 6-6 PG 1 Rolling Meadows  Michigan State University

• Troy D’Amico 6-7 F 7         Niles Notre Dame Southern Illinois University

• Ben Schwieger 6-6 F 16 Waubonsie Valley Loyola-Chicago

• Ty Johnson 6-1 PG 14 DePaul Prep Loyola-Chicago

• Scottie Ebube 6-8 F/C 17 Mundelein    Southern Illinois University

• Brian Matthews 6-9 C 27 DePaul Prep U. Massachusetts

• Jack Mielke 6-6 F 52     Downers Grove North  Southern Indiana Univ.

• John Poulakidas 6-5 WG 6 Neuqua Valley Yale University

• R.J. Walker 6-3 G 24 Decatur Eisenhower University Idaho

• Blake Peters 6-1 G 25 Evanston Princeton University

• Julius Rollins 6-6 G/F 17 Hillcrest Kent State University

• Brandon Hall 6-6 F 40 Thornton East Tennessee State

Noah Reynolds and his brother Nelson Reynolds has transferred out of Peoria Notre Dame to Merrillville High School in Indiana. Noah is regarded as a top 25 prospects in 2021 Class and is considered by most area scouts as a Division One recruit. 

Now, if we weren’t paying attention, we’re alert now, Hinsdale Central’s budding standout Matas Buzelis is off to Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. Buzelis at 6-7 is one of our top elite young players in the 2023 Class. Hopefully, he will return after a season there. 

Early in October the state lost nationally ranked sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr., the Joliet native enrolled in LA Lumiere Prep over in La Porte, Indiana. Then you have Thornton’s six foot six Donald Coates departed for Indianapolis. He will suit up for Warren Central High School and he is already off to a good start. 

THOUGHTS & NOTES

Jimmy Collins who coached Illinois-Chicago men’s basketball to the NCAA tournament three times in 14 seasons, died Sunday morning. He was 74. 2020 has been such a heart wrenching year.

We would like to acknowledge the loss of Olympic hero, Rafer Johnson a pure stud in his day/time. A three-sport standout, played basketball at UCLA for legendary coach John Wooden on the 58-59 team, played football and baseball and ran track at Kingsburg Joint Union High. In 1958 while at UCLA he was elected student body president, a heck of an achievement for an athlete. He also began acting career in the late 60s early 70s. He was also on the Robert Kennedy’s presidential campaign in June of 1968 when the democratic candidate was shot and killed in the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. He was a part of 3 men who apprehended the gunman. Rafer won the decathlon at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. Johnson passed away a week ago in Southern Cal. 

Hmm, we were recently reminded that there were not any players taken in the recent NBA draft from Illinois. Reportedly that only happened just once in the last 20 years. Those findings are not difficult to sum up for us long time observers. 

Reportedly more than 40 high school basketball players have left the state once the word was delivered that it likely wouldn’t be a regular scheduled winter season.

EARLY 2021 COMMITMENTS

NAME /  HT / POS / RANK / HIGH SCHOOL / COLLEGE CHOICE

· Chris Hodges 6-8 PF 3 Schaumburg University Wisconsin

· Connor Enright 6-2 PG 12 Mundelein Drake University

· Ahmad Bynum 6-2 G 4 Simeon DePaul University

· Bryce Hopkins 6-7 G/F 2 Fenwick University Louisville

· Louis Lesmond 6-6 WG 8 Niles Notre Dame Harvard University

· Isaiah Barnes 6-7 WG 6 Simeon University Michigan

· Max Christie 6-6 PG 1 Rolling Meadows Michigan State University

· Troy D’Amico 6-7 F 7 Niles Notre Dame Southern Illinois University

· Ben Schwieger 6-6 F 16 Waubonsie Valley Loyola-Chicago

· Ty Johnson 6-1 PG 14 DePaul Prep Loyola-Chicago

· Scottie Ebube 6-8 F/C 17 Mundelein Southern Illinois University

One of the Public League’s top young coaches Pat Gordon has taken an assistant coaches’ position at Morton Junior College. He will team up with Glen “Red” Heffernan who spent the last two seasons at Western Michigan. Gordon had the Lincoln Park Program rolling until he ran into a buzz storm, but he’s still recognized as a bright young architect. He will bring along 6-8 center Romelle Howard, a 2020 Lincoln Park grad. That’s a good starting point for the Morton Program.

OBSERVATION FROM A DISTANCE

We were thrilled when it was reported that former Freeport standout Luke Norman had been hired as the new Head Coach at Highland Community College, recognized as the top Junior College in the Chicagoland area. Luke, a heady lead guard in his playing days & also a former Illinois Warrior, replaces Chad Boudreau who spent 3 successful seasons at Highland. Chad moves on as a top assistant at Western Illinois where he will partner up again with Rob Jeter. Remember they had a great run at UW Milwaukee not so long ago. Norman is a former NJCAA Academic All-American at Highland where he is well tooled on Cougar Nation and understands what exemplifies a student/athlete on & off the floor. He spent two seasons at Eastern Illinois serving as a team Captain his senior campaign. He also was an assistant coach there during 2017-2018 season where the Panthers were in the thick of contention giving the hopefuls a late OVC push. Adding to the buzz, Highland will be opening their season in the newly renovated gymnasium. The start of the Luke Norman era will be bright.

An ever-growing trend we are witnessing today is our young players (frosh-soph in particular) and their families lusting for College offers, this is called modern day thirst-chasing. Contacting Colleges, questioning them about why little Johnny has not received an offer is actually taboo! It’s really pointless unless the kid is a sure-fire prospect, probably 8 times out of 10 if the kid was offered in the 9th or 10th grade and he tried to commit by his junior season, most schools would say “hold up”, there would be pushback. “Just adding some humor about today’s delusional climate. Landing offers early mean absolutely nothing.”

A SETTLE CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP

“We are starting to see a new era of head coaches materialize. We envision these guys faring well.”

• Mike Smith Chicago Perspective
“Entering his first varsity job. He will revive that Program which is the old Calumet (my alma mater). Smith is a former Illinois Warrior, so expectations are high for him.”

• Byron Burton Chicago St. Laurence
“Formerly at Mather for 2 years. Will have his hands full early on in the Catholic League until he builds his brand to stand on.”

• Phil Gary Oak Park
“1-year at Walter Payton, left to take over at his alma mater where he will have the opportunity to reset his whole Program. And certainly, refurbish the culture.”

• Jamere Dismukes Hyde Park Academy
“Impressed in his 1-year at Rich East. He is a rising star in the industry. A tireless worker with an eye-popping resume. Will be a future College coach; look for him to make his mark in the Chicago Public League Red South.”

• Antoine “A.J.” Jennings Lincoln Park
“Former Morgan Park Assistant will take over the top Program on the North Side. The LP Alum has much invested, he should be able to get off the ground running quickly with his Program. Former Illinois Warrior Alum.”

EARLY 2021 COMMITMENTS

We still have some very talented prospects on the board in this Class.

NAME HT POS RANK HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE CHOICE

• Chris Hodges 6-8 PF 3 Schaumburg / University Wisconsin

• Connor Enright 6-2 PG 12 Mundelein / Drake University

• Ahmad Bynum 6-2 G 4 Simeon / DePaul University

• Bryce Hopkins 6-7 G/F 2 Fenwick / University Louisville

• Isaiah Barnes 6-7 WG 6 Simeon / University Michigan

• Max Christie 6-6 PG 1 Rolling Meadows / Michigan State Univ.

One of Chicago’s favorite son’s Will Bailey has moved on to the University of South Carolina, after spending four seasons at St. Louis U. working along side of Travis Ford. Will was recently recognized as one of the top assistant coaches in the Atlantic 10. The former Illinois Warrior Alum is a star on the rise, a proven winner which has been noted at each of his coaching stops. Head coach will be his next title.

Morgan Park’s assistant coach Antione “A.J.” Jennings was named the new Lincoln Park Head Coach, replacing the popular Pat Gordon who will always be viewed in many of our eyes as a classy high-character guy. Jennings, a favorite of ours and a former Illinois Warrior Alum, will inherit a Program with an abundance of talent up & down its roster. Lincoln Park is recognized as one of the Public League’s top 4 or 5 academic schools as well as a rising basketball Program in recent years. Gordon did a phenomenal job of building a solid foundation that created a winning culture. Jennings is fortunate to have the template in place to keep the Program in a sustaining mode. A.J. is a Lincoln Park grad/alum so he has a lot invested. Great hire…

RE-STRUCTURING

It seems the pandemic we are faced with today has many in our nation scrambling of sorts and operating under duress. There is no question, it is taken a daunting toll on decisions most deal with daily and athletes are not exempt. Our state’s much sought-after prospect, Max Christie, gave a verbal to Michigan State on Tuesday. The six-foot six Rolling Meadows star is regarded as the 12th ranked prospect in the country and the No.1 player in Illinois. Christie indicated that Covid-19 played a huge impact on his early decision. Reportedly he took his official visit to Michigan State early March, just two weeks before the Coronavirus brought a screeching halt to the sports world. Christie and his silky-smooth game will join forces with two other highly acclaimed prospects who also recently gave a verbal to the Spartan Program. The consensus No.1 player in the country 6-8 multi-talented, Emoni Bates and another standout diaper-dandy recruit, Pierre Brooks rounds up an impressive trio. Kudos to coach Tom Izzo and his staff. The Rolling Meadows star was the state’s highest ranked recruit to pledge to Michigan State since Proviso East’s Shannon Brown in the early 2000s. Christie averaged 25 points & 11 rebounds a game last season.

PIVOTAL MOVEMENT

The Illinois Boys State Tournament will return to Champaign after its departure 23 years ago. Peoria was an excellent landing spot in 1996, particularly amid Peoria Manual’s 4-year strong-hold on the state’s high school hoops crown. The destination choice at that time coincided with the area having a hot-bed of talented players coming through the ranks such as A.J. Guyton (Central), Mike Robinson (Richwoods), Willie Coleman (Manual), Serg McClain (Manual), Marcus Griffin (Manual), Nick Knapp (Woodruff), J.R. Koch (Morton), Matt Moran (Pekin), Jerrence Howard (Central), Ivan Watson (Manual), Mark Vershaw (East Peoria), Frank Williams (Manual), and Jason Jenkins (East Peoria). Not to mention some of the state’s highly regarded coaches who were recognized for their abilities on the sidelines as well as turning over untapped talent. The Tournament will be played in the newly renovated State Farm Center. For many of us long time observers/followers, the decision comes as bittersweet. Peoria had a heck of a run for the first ten years or so, offering a great venue with large enthusiastic crowds and pumping some new energy into the Tournament atmosphere.

Hopefully, a change of scenery will spark some much-needed interest and participation at the State Tournament. We certainly cannot revisit any of those price gouging days from local hotels in the Champaign area in which we clearly witnessed back then.

TRANS-ACTION PORTAL

Fort Wayne, Ind. guard Luke Goode gave University Illinois a commitment recently. He is in the Class of 2021 ranked in the Top 100 by rivals. The 6-6 guard had offers from Northwestern, Iowa, Stanford, Xavier, Michigan State, Maryland, and Louisville.

Former Whitney Young/Seton standout Javon Freeman left Valparaiso after two seasons. He will head to the North Side to play for Dave Leitao’s DePaul Program. The six-foot three guard averages 19 points and 6 rebounds last season, shooting 28% from three.

6-8 Anthony D’Avanzo prepped at Niles Notre Dame, averaged 15.8 markers & 8 boards per outing last season at D2 Lewis University. D’Avanzo will take his blossoming game to Southern Illinois in Carbondale where his outside shooting will be a plus for the Salukis. His game has really taken a leap after mostly playing in the interior during his High School years.

Libertyville’s native Drew Peterson decided to spend his remaining 2 years at the University Minnesota. Peterson averaged near 11 pts & 6 rebounds last season at Rice University. With Pitino on the hot seat, the 6-8 wing could be back in the portal next spring.

Teyvion Kirk spent last season sitting out at Colorado State after suiting up his first two seasons at Ohio University. The Joliet’s native elected to come home and play at UIC for first year Coach Luke Yaklich. The Flames recently received a pledge from 6-6 forward Zion Griffin who played sparingly at Iowa State the last 2 seasons.

Other notables are landing in the Big 10 had former Fenwick guard Mike Smith leaving Columbia, heading to the University of Michigan, and Patriot All Leaguer and former Conant standout Jimmy Soto taking his floor game to Ohio State.

Glenbrook South’s heart-throb Dominic Martinelli has agreed to a preferred walk-on situation at Northwestern. The six-foot five throwback left hander thrilled North Suburban crowds this past season averaging 26 points nightly and amassed over 2000 points in his career.

COACHES TURNSTILE (NOTABLES)

Former Shepard H.S. and the Illinois Warrior standout Mike Smith was named a Head Coach at Perspective High School, formerly known as Calumet. Look for Smith to be an instant splash at the South Side School that plays in the White Division for now. Smith played College ball at UIC and St. Francis in Joliet.

Glenbrook North’s Dave Weber, often recognized as one of the top Coaches in the State, has retired after 25 years at the North Shore school. He guided his Spartans to a Class AA State Title in 2005 led by standout Jon Scheyer, also a former Illinois Warrior star. Weber won over 400 games at GBN, he will be replaced by St. Viator’s Quin Hayes.

St. Laurence recently named Byron Burt, a 25-year old North-Sider who played under Porter Moser at Loyola, its new Coach. Burt coached the last 2 seasons at his Alma Mater Mather H.S. where he finished with 13-16 record last season. He went 8-1 in the White North Conference. Jimmy Sexton seemed to have revived the St. Laurence Program a few years ago, has moved on to restore some relevancy into the sagging Evergreen Park Program, in which he will. Last season the Vikings under Sexton finished 15-17. Burt will grow up swiftly in Burbank, he has his work cut out for him.

After sustaining an illustrious career at Morgan Park Nick Irvin has resigned. He will churn out the next chapter of his Coaching resume on the Collegiate level at Western Illinois as an Assistant to Rob Jeter. Kudos to him.

Oak Park’s Matt Maloney has decided to resign as a Head Coach at the West Suburban school. Some consider the OPRF situation to be a gold mine of a job, supposedly with a ton of talent neighboring near the school boundaries. Maloney leaves with 224-108 record in 12 seasons. He was an Assistant at the school for 13 seasons. We wish him nothing but the best…

CHANGING TIMES

In the mist of a global pandemic that seems to linger on and on, we are also faced with an ever-growing epidemic with the College transfer-portal. Amusingly vast majority of players today love to post or make announcements to where they are heading, which only transitions into an unforeseen temporary destination. This short run merely illustrates most of these young men tend to be more exuberant over this excessive platform/stage than working on their game…

Chicago lost one of our legendary Coaches a week ago Landon “Sonny” Cox passed away at age 82. Coach Cox compiled a career record of 503-89 in 20 seasons while capturing three State Championships in 1986, 1990, and 1993. He had a second-place finish in 1987 losing the title game to a strong East St. Louis Lincoln Team. Coach leaves an everlasting memory with all of us.

UN-CHARTED ERA

College basketball Coaches are coping and adjusting to life that doesn’t require a frantic 24-hour spin cycle over the course of their week, not to mention the spring recruiting period. In this unprecedented era where Zoom and Google Hangouts have become a way of life for Coaches, we are faced with some uncharted territory as things move forward. Throw in the honors of now shuffling through the dubious task of going over the transfer portal, especially targeting a player you unable to bring on campus right now. What a headache!

Former Hinsdale South forward Zion Griffin landed in the transfer portal, that appears to be the new hip thing today. Griffin spent his last 2 years at Iowa State where he played limited minutes, he gets a new start at UIC where he recently gave a pledge to play. Best of luck for this left hander.

IN THE PAINT PRODUCTIONS will host...

IN THE PAINT PRODUCTIONS
will host 

Chicago Basketball Icons

Honoring A.B. “Tree” Stoner/Hales Franciscan “1963”
Also, special tribute to Billy Harris-Dunbar “1969”
Site: Foster Park – 83rd Loomis, Chicago, IL
Saturday, October 27th, 2018 – 12:30-4pm

“Celebrating individuals that have made a lasting impact on Chicago hoops history/scene.”

EARLY VERBAL COMMITMENTS

NAME HT POS HIGH-SCHOOL COLLEGE CHOICE

• Francis Okoro 6-10 C Normal West University Oregon
• Alex Timmerman 6-8 F/C Crystal Lake Central Bucknell University
• Ciaran Brayboy 6-9 C New Trier Harvard University
• Taeyon Neal 6-10 C Providence St. Mel    Univ. Illinois at Chicago
• Tom Welch 6-7 F Naperville North Loyola-Chicago
• Keenon Cole 6-7 WF Streamwood Northern Illinois Univ.
• Joseph Yesufu 6-1 G Bolingbrook Drake University
• Nate Ferguson 6-8 PF Lemont Drake University
• Lance Jones 6-2 G Evanston Southern Illinois Univ.
• Raymond Dennis 6-2 PG Oswego East Boise State Univ.
• Tyler Cochran 6-3 G/F Bolingbrook Northern Illinois Univ.
• Perry Cowan 6-4 G/F DePaul Prep Brown University
• Marquise Kennedy 6-3 PG Brother Rice Loyola-Chicago
• Charlie Hoehne 6-6 F Oak Park Rockhurst College
• E.J. Liddell 6-7 F Belleville West Ohio State

Our area has landed a couple of notable transfers and I have yet to eye-ball the pair. Benet Academy added junior Kendrick Tchoua, a 6-6 senior from Maryland. He’s regarded as a six-foot six athletic power guy, hails as a mid-major recruit. Now, 6-5 Sophomore Louis Lesmond strolls into Evanston, IL from France.  He’s a touted prospect who fits right into our highly billed 2021 Class. Locals will be fixated on these two right from the start.

SPECIAL MOMENTS

Belleville West stand-out E.J. Liddell, the top senior in our State, chose Ohio State over Missouri and Illinois. Liddell, the Gatorade player of the year in Illinois was rumored to be headed to Mizzou weeks ago, reportedly thou he wanted a situation geared towards winning immediately and Ohio State fit that check list with a bumper class already joining Liddell, starting with D.J. Carton of Iowa and Ohio native Alonzo Gaffney. Things are looking bright in Columbus, OH.

Former Thornton/Willowbrook guard Alonzo Verge Jr. who now hoops at Moberly Community College will take his electric game to Arizona State where he will have opportunity to entertain huge Pac 12 arena’s during conference play. Verge has a game that has a resemblance of former top-notch players Chicago used to produce in the 70’s, 80’s, & 90’s. ASU landed an area favorite, he will electrify audiences on the West Coast.

The recent passing of former Robeson Coach Charles Redmond left heavy hearts with many in the Chicago hoop circles. Redmond was a respected tactician often noted for turning over & developing raw talent. He was a popular figure through-out the Chicagoland area. I will always remember and cherish the time we shared… Redmond will be missed but never forgotten…

Coming soon - SENIOR 100 SHOWCASE/CAMP

THE ILLINOIS SPOT-LITE
SENIOR 100 SHOWCASE/CAMP

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2018
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2018
SITE: PLAINFIELD CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

FORTH-COMING

The 2020 Class in Illinois we once viewed as a highly touted group with 4 or 5-star potential has now taken some interesting hits. A winding road of twists & turns has occurred in the last fifteen months. The defection of several promising prospects has left the class with some dubious uncertainties. Duquoin’s Lamontay Daughtery moved to St. Louis in April and enrolled in Mehlville H.S. Daughtery was considered Top 5 prospect in the class, just recently another Top prospect in Southern Illinois transferred to a St. Louis area school, Marion’s Jackson Connor left for Chaminade College Prep. Year ago we lost Nimari Burnett and Shon Robinson, two talented youngsters who were widely recognized as Top 5 rated players in the class and prepped at Morgan Park, landed in California & Arizona schools. The 2021 had its No. 1 player leave the State for Wisconsin, Patrick Baldwin Jr. arguably one of the top prospects in the country, his situation was inevitable. Just something for all of us to catalog.

With July 1st approaching swiftly, the Chicago State Head-Coaching opening should be gaining some traction or perhaps making an announcement soon. Linked to be final candidates are veteran College Assistant Coach Lance Irvin, DePaul Assistant Billy Garrett Sr., Triton Junior College Head-Coach Steve Christiansen, former DePaul Assistant Rick Carter, and South-Suburban College Head-Man John Pigatti. Trickery will always be aligned with these slippery trustees at Chicago State. Stay tuned…

Illinois Mr. Basketball E.J. Liddle out of Belleville West has his top schools listed as Ohio State, Mizzou, Kansas St., Georgetown, Iowa, Illinois, & Louisville. Liddle is heavily guarded in his thoughts these days.

Antonio Maestranzi has taken over Helm at the Rockford Guilford Program. The former NIU point-guard will do a fine job of engineering respectability into a sagging Program. The rehabilitation process will start with six-foot three senior guard Jamil Jones and 6-5 junior forward Jack Holmstrom, both are players to watch.

Illinois trio drafted last week was a reflective moment for many of us. Jevon Carter (Proviso East) selected 32, Normal U-High’s Keith Bates-Diop drafted No. 48, and Stevenson’s Jalen Brunson went 33, all second rounders. Loyola’s Dante Ingram un-drafted was invited to play on the Chicago Bulls Summer League Squad, deservingly so. Brunson’s was the only 2015 grad, the others including Ingram emerged from our talented 2014 Class.

ROUTED

We are elated to report that former Peoria Central sharp shooter and Indiana standout A.J. Guyton was hired as an Assistant Coach at Loyola-Maryland. He will join forces with first year Head Coach Tavaras Hardy, who hails from Joliet and played collegiately at Northwestern. A.J. spent last season at Northwestern familiarizing himself with the day-to-day operational ritual of College hoops. He’s going to thrive well on the East-Coast while beating the recruiting trail in the highly competitive Patriot League.

Valparaiso Head Coach Matt Lottich just recently hired longtime pal Todd Townsend who took a break from coaching last season, while his previous stint was at UW Milwaukee. In addition to Townsend coming over, Rob Holloway will join Lottich’s staff as well. Holloway has spent the last two seasons at Eastern Illinois where he was often viewed as a rising Assistant. This tandem should form a potent presence around here in the heartland.

We’re starting to see some resemblance to change perhaps a re-birth of a new era in potency; witnessing a significant upgrade in our talent level around these parts. A surging 2020 Class has us hopeful, followed by our promising 2021 cast, and based on what we’ve already viewed in the 2022 Class head-lined by 6-4 phenom Amari Bailey (we are currently wishful he doesn’t break for some out-of-town prep situation), add to the mix 6-2 sharp shooter Kameron Kraft, six-foot seven A.J. Casey, heady play-maker Jaylen Drane, 6-3 athlete Xavier Amos, and steady general Jalen Brown, this gives us something special to follow, considering this particular 2022 group has our area in position to bolster three consecutive classes where we likely could have an abundance of high major recruits. “Now, the young talent need to be turned-over and developed.”

A VIEW UP-TOP

At the 16th Annual Riverside Brookfield summer shoot-out over the weekend, where 40 teams strapped-em-up for the opening June High-School session; St. Viator outlasted everyone in the field walloping Whitney Young in the final behind the trio of Jerry Hernandez, Trey Calvin, and impressive 2020 prospect Connor Kochera.

After 18 seasons as Head-Coach at Marist, Gene Nolan will leave the South-Side School for greener pastures. Naperville North will be his next destination. We can’t blame him either; Nolan is considered one of the area’s Top Coaches.

Former Public League guard Emmanuel Dildy is on the move again, he just replaced Armon Gates at Northwestern a few weeks ago. Dildy, has had stops at Eastern Illinois, Loyola-Chicago, Mizzou, and just recently Valpo. Kudos to him!

Morgan Park stand-out and Illinois signee, Ayo Dosunmu made the final cut for the U18 Men’s National Team. The USA team will strut their-stuff June 10-16th at the FIBA Championships St. Catharine’s, Ontario. “Our Chicago area Hoop Circle is pulling for Ayo to shine on the big stage.”

DePaul scored a huge coup recently, while also drawing admirers from their rival peers, when they landed a verbal from 2019 Top 35 nationally ranked forward Romeo Weems out of New Haven, MI. This serves notice the Blue Demons are destined to re-tool their roster & culture in the immediate future. North-Carolina A&T fifth-year post-grad, Femi Olujobi was just added to the 2018-19 squad. At six-foot nine, he will come along with new additions, Flynn Cameron (Australia) 6-3 PG from Hillcrest Christian College, George Maslennikov 6-9 forward out of Holy Spirit-Atlanta, Georgia, and 6-3 shooter John Diener from nearby Cedarburg, WI. “The Blue-Demons could have one more nugget to pull off in the 2018 Class.”

The recently crowned darlings of the city, Loyola added a significant addition to their roster, by signing Long-Island prepster Tykei Greene. The six-foot four scoring guard hails from Queens, NY.

Now the Huskies at Northern Illinois had a busy spring signing a quartet of prospects, starting with former Marian Catholic/Bloom stand-out Austin Richie, who wrapped-up his prep career at Don Bosco last season. He will provide some out-side shooting & future leadership capabilities, more importantly he’s a high-character person and recognizable feature from the area. Also coming aboard is Alize Travis out Los Angeles (Victorville) is a speedy 6-1 point-guard, then six-foot eight forward Justin Lee from Atlanta who used to suit-up for the Georgia Stars, will be part of the mix. The Huskies last signee resides from the Bronx, NY. By-the-way of Laramie Community College, Daire Mateen, an exciting six-foot one combo guard. “It’s going to be a new vibe around Dekalb, the campus life there could be a hip scene.”

AT THE BUZZER

The last time we connected (Mid-April Buzz Worthy) the opening narrative was: “It sadden us to report former Northwestern Assistant Coach Armon Gates was headed to Florida,” while we were gushing over his new experience. After he was reportedly appointed Associate Head Coach in Gatorville, for some unforeseen decision Florida Coach Mike White pulled the unthinkable. This dude back-peddled, particularly odd seeming though Gates spent two weeks toiling the southland wearing Florida garb recruiting. “Was White mired in some sort of unconscious trance where he became indecisive or heard voices that discombobulated his thinking after two-week window?” Armon regarded as one of the bright resourceful Assistants nationally, spent five seasons in the trenches with Chris Collins at Northwestern where he played an instrumental role in their NCAA Tournament run. Because of someone’s indecisiveness, Armon spent a couple days faced with un-true accusation & personal digs, which is a sour wasteland for College baskeball. The startling revelations of vindictiveness surfaced! Is this the new trend of doing business in College hoops? While the temps hover around 80 degrees & sunny in Gainesville, Mike White can now be dubbed as the king of deflections & mis-directions. “Oh, by the way, Armon was hired at Nebraska last week where he will fit in great with Tim Miles and his excellent staff.”

Chicago State’s unusual cast of trustees voted to appoint former controversial Chicago Bear Chris Zorich as its next athletic Director. The school has suffered severely under the states budget crisis, notably the hardest hit among our public state schools. Zorich, a Chicago Vocational Legend, has the dubious task of hiring a men’s as well as women’s Coach within a short period. Hopefully launching his search for a men’s Coach, shouldn’t foster up too much of his vital time. A couple of miles south of the CSU campus resides the Irvin Contingent, namely Lance. Potentially such a hire could infuse some new life & culture into this budget riddled University. The Irvin’s have the castings of a great story-line, especially if they’d revive the sagging program. Stay tuned...

Former Kishwaukee point-guard Bryson Butler will take his stellar floor game to Malone College in Canton, Ohio. The six-foot one athletic performer will sparkle in the GMAC League where he should be able to demonstrate where he was often overlooked by various Division I Programs. I’m sure his goals are to become Division Two All-American and win a National Championship. Kudos to my kid!

Rolling Meadows hot-shot freshman Max Christie took the North-Suburban hoop fans by a storm this past season, while posting some eye-popping outings for a first-year player. The six-foot four wiry scorer averaged 18 points & 8 rebounds a game. The hype engines have been revved-up since December about his play & un-limited potential, after re-visiting him again, suited-up with the Illinois Wolves in Indy, we came away gleeful about his confidence & temperament. He reminds me of one of past highly touted prospects; I can’t quite finger/or frame yet. Max is going to be fun to follow the next few years.

While most of our suburban hoop fans are extremely giddy over Max Christie, our area brandishes a collection of talented blue-chip prospects in our 2022 Class. The No. 1 phenom out of everyone in the area is athletic guard Amari Bailey who goes to Skinner Elementary Hoops with Mac Irvin Fire 16-U and already penciled in as the next future stud at Morgan Park. We witnessed some of Bailey’s special talents which were on display a few weeks ago in a 17-U contest, and his potential is astonishing. Sleeper, 6-7 forward A.J. Casey, who hails from Arbor Middle School in Oak-Forest is a skilled, bouncy cager who has created enough buzz to warrant potential All-American conversation in 3 years. Casey hoops with Mean Streets 14 & 15 U Groups. “Yes, he can play 16-U.” Ariel 5-11 point-guard Jaylen Drane has captivated a stream of admirers with his superb floor game, he likely will attend Simeon. Silky-smooth six-foot four swingman Xavier Amos has made a splash as a really good shooter with exceptional ability to create offense off the balance while finishing at the rim with either hand. Amos, likely will head to Jones College Prep or Whitney Young.

It just might be time to bring back 19-U. With so many graduating seniors opting to re-cast themselves on the club circuit these days, maybe a venue just for them could be regulated. An event on Saturday & Sunday in in April and parts of May, a proposed two or three-week overseas tour in early June. Then the 19’s could perform in a week-day/evening league in July that would pit them versus first year College players only. (Junior College prospects would participate as well). The hosting site could be North Park College or Chicago State. Just a thought…