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Here will you find the most comprehensive coverage of Illinois prep basketball that you will come across anywhere.

Find Out Why We Say That The University Of Illinois And Assistant Coach Jerrance Howard Have Turned The Tables With Respect To The Recruitment of Tracy Abrams And Get Our Thoughts On The Overall Significance Of "The World's Biggest Basketball Practice" By Reading Our Latest Blog Which Can Be Found At The Chicago Sun-Times High School Sports Web Site. It Can Be Accessed At http://blogs.suntimes.com/illinois.

Mike Black Headed For The Sun
Mike Black's college decision wasn't so much about the level of play as it was finding the right overall fit and an immediate opportunity. With that being said, Black will be going a ways from home, as he committed to an Atlantic Sun Conference program after taking his official visit there. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye provides an in-depth look at the commitment in this story.

Ohio University Lands Second Class Of 2009 Commitment From Illinois
We told everyone that John Groce would make the state of Illinois a huge recruiting priority from the day that he became the head coach at Ohio University.  Not only has he already done that, but right now the Bobcat maestro is on a recruiting roll in the Land Of Lincoln, as he has received his second class of 2009 commitment from that region. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has all the particulars in this story.

Purdue Lands Key Class Of 2010 Prospect From Chicago
There is something to be said when it comes to persistence and that is why Purdue University head coach Matt Painter is a tremendous recruiter. Painter never gave up in his quest to land one of the top prospects in Illinois from the class of 2010 even after it was thought that the player might be headed to another Big Ten school. As a result, the Boilermakers have secured a huge commitment from a top-flight Chicago area guard. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the breaking news in this story.

Vogrich Decides Not To Wait Any Longer
We thought that Lake Forest's Matt Vogrich might choose to wait a couple of days until announcing his college decision after completing his final official visit this weekend. However, upon returning home Vogrich felt he had seen all that he needed to see and thus felt there was no reason to prolong it any longer. As a result, we are willing to bet that everyone can guess where he will be headed. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye lets everyone know in this story.

Chris Eversley Commits To Rice
We had absolutely no doubt that once Rice head coach Ben Braun was able to get Chris Eversley on campus he would be able to close the deal, and sure enough that is exactly what happened this weekend, as the 6'5 guard committed while on his official visit. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the skinny behind Eversley's decision in this story.

Latest Recruiting Blurbs
Things remain interesting recruiting-wise in Illinois, as more players are getting closer to making their college decisions and college coaches continue to flock to the Windy City to take in open gyms.  Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has all of the latest in this update.

Fairfield Lands Commitment From 2009 Chicago Area Combo Guard
Fairfield University has been making strong waves in the Chicago area when it comes to recruiting, and their persistence is paying off.  As a result, head coach Ed Cooley was able to snag a commitment from a combo guard who we believe is one of the bigger sleepers in Illinois from the class of 2009.  Illinois Prep Bulls-eye fills everyone in on the news with respect to the commitment in this story.

Windy City Showdown Loaded With Talent
Antonio Curro of NY2LA Sports.com has outdone himself with the lineup he has put together for the 2008 Windy City Showdown.  Simply put, the field is loaded with talent.  It will include many of the top high school basketball programs in Illinois and throughout the Midwest and several of the top prospects in the classes of 2009 and 2010 from that region as well.  Illinois Prep Bulls-eye provides the matchups and takes a look at the top players that will be on hand in this report.

6'5 JUCO Star Jemal Farmer Commits
Jemal Farmer is a classic example of a player who has gotten considerably better as a result of a year of seasoning at the JUCO level. As a result of his hard work and dedication, Farmer was able to render a verbal commitment today to a high profile SEC school. Find out all the details behind Farmer's decision in this report.

Revised Matchups For City-Suburban Showdown
One big reason why Bob Rylko and David Kaplan of The Integrity Group are two of the best high school basketball promoters that you will find anywhere is their ability to act quickly at the last minute. As a result, the revised matchups for the 14th Annual City-Suburban Showdown look to be even stronger than the original lineup. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has all of the details surrounding next February's event in this update.

Drake Lands 2009 Commitment From Chicago Area Guard
We knew that the Drake Bulldogs were picking up steam when it came to their recruitment of a combo guard from Chicago's North Shore, and sure enough head coach Mark Phelps and the rest of his coaching staff were able to close the deal, as they secured a verbal commitment while the player was taking his official visit to Drake this weekend. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more in this story.

Recruiting Updates: Lavonte Dority And Mike McCall
High school teammates Lavonte Dority and Mike McCall both rank among the top prospects in Illinois from the class of 2010 and after solid performances on the traveling team circuit this past summer, they continue to receive additional scholarship offers. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye reports on the latest offers to come their way in this update.

D.J. Cooper Closes It Out And Commits 
We hinted at it and called it, and sure enough the recruitment of D.J. Cooper has come to an end. He enjoyed an outstanding official campus visit this past weekend and as a result didn't hesitate to let everyone know that he regards his choice as a perfect fit. That is why Cooper will be headed to the MAC. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye fills everyone in with all of the specifics in this story.

Lenzelle Smith Shocks Everyone And Commits Early
After adding scholarship offers, taking some unofficial visits and attracting college coaches by the bunches to his open gyms at Zion-Benton, Lenzelle Smith pulled a huge surprise by offering an early commitment and as a result is now off the board, as he will play his college basketball in the Big Ten. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye lets everyone know who the lucky recipient is and provides further details surrounding Smith's commitment in this story.

David Brown Commits To MAC School
In the end David Brown's commitment ended up turning out exactly the way that we predicted it would despite rumors that he would be taking another official visit next weekend. Obviously that won't be the case, as tonight Brown committed to the school that had been his frontrunner for the past few weeks. As a result, he will be playing his college basketball in the MAC. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has all the details on Brown's commitment in this story.

Tony Nixon Commits While On Official Visit
We thought that there was a good chance Tony Nixon could pull the trigger and commit while on an official visit this weekend, and as it turns out the 6'5 guard did not surprise us. As a result, he is headed to the MAC and is an absolute steal for the school that landed him. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more on Nixon's commitment in this story.

Southern Illinois Lands Class Of 2009 Prospect From JUCO Ranks
Southern Illinois University head coach Chris Lowery didn't have to travel very far in order to find front court help from the class of 2009. As a result, Lowery and the Salukis have secured a commitment in the form of an intriguing post prospect from a nearby JUCO. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the particulars in this story.

Army Lands 6'5 Shooter From Illinois
Jim Crews and his coaching staff at Army continue to make the state of Illinois a recruiting priority. It has started to pay dividends, as an outstanding shooter from Illinois' Fox Valley area has announced that he will be attending West Point. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the news on the commitment in this report.

Nik Garcia Comes Back Home And Is Enrolled At Evanston
In an absolutely bizarre and stunning turn of events, Nik Garcia decided in the end that prep school was not the place for him. He would rather be close to home and as a result will attend Evanston Township High School after all. In fact, he is already there. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye provides all that we know about this situation in this update.

Drew Crawford Is Off The Board--Will Stay Close To Home
We found out this past weekend that Drew Crawford was ready to close out his recruitment, and sure enough that is what the 6'4 guard has decided to do. As a result, he will be staying close to home and playing for a Big Ten school. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye provides you with all you need to know on Crawford's commitment in this story.

Wisconsin-Green Bay Nabs Second 2009 Recruit From Illinois
Wisconsin-Green Bay head coach Tod Kowalczyk and his assistants continue to do an outstanding job when it comes to recruiting in Illinois.  Once again their hard work has paid off, this time in the form of an athletic wing player from Chicago's southwest suburbs. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more in this story.

Illinois State Recruiting Roll Continues
We told everyone just a couple of days ago that Illinois State head coach Tim Jankovich and his assistants were not done when it came to recruiting prospects from the class of 2009 and sure enough we were right on the money. The Redbirds capped off an absolutely stellar recruiting week by receiving their fourth commitment from the class in the form of a tall and athletic wing from Chicago. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye fills everyone in with the particulars in this blog.

Northern Iowa Lands Chicago Area Combo Guard
There is no question that the University of Northern Iowa coaching staff continues to do an outstanding job when it comes to recruiting prospects from the Chicago area, especially from the Illinois Wolves traveling team. This is evidenced by the fact that today Panther head coach Ben Jacobson secured a commitment from a talented combo guard who plays for the Wolves. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more in this story.

Illinois State Continues Outstanding Recruiting Week With Third Commitment From Class Of 2009
Illinois State head coach Tim Jankovich landed an outstanding inaugural recruiting class for 2008 and is now on the verge of turning in another banner one in the class of 2009. The Redbirds picked up their third commitment from that class tonight in the form of a high scoring point guard from Chicago. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has further details in this story.

Oregon State Lands Commitment From Chicago Point Guard
We told everyone that Oregon State has been hitting Chicago extremely hard on the recruiting trail, and the hard work of head coach Craig Robinson and his assistants is already paying off, as the Beavers have received a commitment from a most unheralded point guard from the class of 2010. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the complete lowdown in this story.

Jordan Prosser Commits 
Jordan Prosser was beginning to run out of recruiting options, as many of his suitors have already filled their scholarship needs. However, in the end, he ended up deciding on the local favorite that had been true to him from the beginning. As a result, Prosser is now off the board. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more on Prosser's commitment in this story.

Team NLP Gives Boo Williams All It Can Handle In 17-Under Nationals Sweet 16
Illinois Prep Bulls-eye is ending its coverage of the July evaluation period at the17-Under AAU Nationals in Orlando, and were once again impressed with the effort of Team NLP against national powerhouse Boo Williams. Find out who looked good, as well as other recruiting tidbits and comments in this report.

Four Illinois Teams Advance To Final 32 Of 17-Under Nationals
One of the reasons we love covering the 17-Under AAU Nationals in Orlando is because of all the sleepers and under the radar guys we get to see and appreciate. You add that to one of the top national fields in recent memory, and it has been a great week in Orlando.  Find out who we saw and liked in day three, as well as some more recruiting tidbits, in this report.

Illinois lands another Verbal Commitment
University Of Illinois head coach Bruce Weber landed his coveted big man for the Class of 2010. Find out who it is and read all the details as to the significance of the commitment in this article.

Two Team NLP Squads Among 5 Illinois Teams In Championship Bracket Of 17-Under Nationals
Team NLP's two teams both went 3-0 in pool play, as did the Illinois Stars and Rising Stars Gold, while Old Gold went 2-1 and also made the championsip bracket. Find out who played well, as well as comments on the Rising Stars Gold 16-Under's game right here.

Illinois Warriors Fall Just Short At 17-Under Super Showcase While Rising Stars Gold And Team NLP Dominate Pool Play Games In Orlando
The Illinois Warriors fought hard in a tough loss to Athletes First, but fell just short, while sleepers helped the Rising Stars Gold and Team NLP prevail in opening 17-under pool play  games in Orlando. Find out who the sleepers were in ths report. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye offers some further insight in this story.

Class Of 2013 Player Watch: Jabari Parker
It is rare when we do a player watch article on anyone who has yet to play a high school game, but Jabari Parker is an exception to the rule. Simply put, Jabari is not your typical 8th grader. With an outstanding work ethic and a maturity level that is greater than most players his age, we believe that he has the complete package both on and off the court. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye lets everyone know all the the things that have gone into making Jabari successful in this story.

Class Of 2011 Player Watch: Jacob Williams
It is really saying something when a rising sophomore leads his high school team to the championship of a summer league that is loaded with talent, but that is exactly what St. Patrick's Jacob Williams did when we watched him in action at the Oak Park Summer League last week. In doing so, we believe that Williams has put himself on the map as one of the state's top prospects in the class of 2011. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye breaks down Williams' game even further in this class of 2011 player watch.

NIKE Peach Jam Stock Raisers
While D.J. Richardson and Marcus Jordan were in a class by themselves with their performances at the NIKE Peach Jam, there were several other players from Illinois who clearly raised their stock as the result of their solid play. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye lets everyone know who those players were in this report.                       

Kevin Berardini: The Epitomy Of A Student-Athlete
It is always refreshing to see someone who truly gets it with respect to the recruiting process, and that is undoubtedly the case with Lake Forest's Kevin Berardini, who recently completed an extensive East Coast tour which included visits to a number of Ivy League and Patriot League schools. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more on Berardini's visits and even more importantly lets everyone know why he fits the description of a student-athlete to a tee.

Cully Payne Commits To SEC School
So much for Cully Payne reopening his recruitment. Just two weeks after announcing that he had decommitted from DePaul, the 6'1 guard immediately offered up a commitment to an SEC program after visiting their campus this past weekend. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the lowdown in this story.

Class Of 2011 Player Watch: Tracy Abrams
Let us cut through the chase and make one thing abundantly clear right now. Mt. Carmel freshman Tracy Abrams is as good as any other guard in the state of Illinois from the class of 2011. You name 'em--Donivine Stewart, Jay Parker, Ryan Boatright--after watching Abrams turn in a terrific performance in the Class 4A Sectional at Proviso East, there is no doubt in our mind that he can play with any of them. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has more on Abrams' game and why he has emerged as one of the elite underclassmen in Illinois in this story.

Diamond Taylor Off The Board
Players from the Illinois Wolves AAU program have had a history of offering up early commitments. The latest to continue that trend is Diamond Taylor, who decided to end his recruitment last night by committing to a Big Ten school. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye provides further insight in this story.

Class Of 2011 Player Watch: Jay Parker
When it comes to top players in Illinois from the class of 2011, Thornton Township's Jay Parker might not be as nationally known as De LaSalle's Mike Shaw, Curie's Wayne Blackshear or even East Aurora's Ryan Boatright. However, anyone who has watched Parker since he was moved up to varsity earlier in the season knows that he can play. With that being said, we have no doubt that Parker is going to become even more popular on the national radar come this spring and summer.  Illinois Prep Bulls-eye breaks down Parker's game and offers further analysis in this story.

Cooley Commits To Notre Dame
Rumors had been spreading that 6'9 junior Jack Cooley from Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, IL was going to commit soon, and sure enough, those rumors came to fruition as Cooley gave the University of Notre Dame and Mike Brey a verbal commitment. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has all of the details behind Cooley's decision in this story.

Class Of 2009 Player Watch: John Taylor
Since playing his first game at North Lawndale a week and a half ago, John Taylor has had a huge impact on his team's success. While he is still relatively unknown outside of local circles, after watching him last weekend at the Martin Luther King Dream Classic we are confident in saying that Taylor can play with any of the top guards in the state from the class of 2009. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye breaks down Taylor's game in this story.

Class Of 2009 Player Watch: Dyricus Simms-Edwards
Dyricus Simms-Edwards has been one of the most talked about players in the Peoria area so far this season. On that note, Illinois Prep Bulls-eye decided to check him out at this year's Pekin Holiday Tournament. We came away saying that he is certainly worthy of all the pub that he has been receiving. In this story, we offer our complete assessment of Simms-Edwards' game and ability.

Wisconsin-Green Bay Lands 2009 Guard Prospect From Illinois
Wisconsin-Green Bay head coach Tod Kowalczyk and his assistants continue to do an outstanding job of recruiting the state of Illinois. Their latest efforts have resulted in a commitment from an unheralded class of 2009 point guard from central Illinois. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the skinny in this report.

Bertrand Becomes Illini's Third Class Of 2009 Commitment
We can't think of a coach in recent memory that has had one day be more successful recruiting-wise than the University Of Illinois' Bruce Weber. The Illini head coach secured his third in-state commitment from the class of 2009 tonight when Sterling's Joseph Bertrand decided to pull the trigger. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has the latest in this story.

Illini Receive Two Huge Class Of 2009 Commitments
Once again, anyone out there still want to say that Bruce Weber can't recruit? Within the span of 24 hours, the head coach at the University Of Illinois has received verbal commitments from two of the top in-state prospects in the class of 2009 and in doing so has sent a loud and clear message to critics. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye has all you need to know about both commitments in this story.

Class Of 2010 Player Watch: Lavonte Dority
The class of 2010 in Illinois continues to grow stronger at the top and another reason why is 6'1 point guard Lavonte Dority . Illinois Prep Bulls-eye got an extensive look at Dority's game at the Illinois Spot-lite Fall Shootout and we comment on everything that he brings to the table in this story.

Illinois Lands Commitment From Top Class Of 2010 Prospect
University of Illinois head coach Bruce Weber has decided to move quickly in order to try to erase the sting of losing out on top class of 2007 prospects Eric Gordon and Derrick Rose . The early result? This morning Weber was able to receive a verbal commitment from the top in-state prospect from the class of 2010, a move which could pay huge dividends down the road. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye fills everyone in with this story.

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