Recruiting News From Hoop City Classic 

By Roy & Harv Schmidt

July 26, 2010

11:30 A.M. CST

The following is all of the pertinent recruiting news gathered during our time spent at the Hoop City Classic in Kansas City this past week as it pertains to Illinois-based prospects.

... While the overall significance may still yet to be determined, it is worth noting that Ohio State University head coach Thad Matta was the only head coach to take in every single performance turned in by 6'10 class of 2011 center Anthony Davis during Mean Streets' run to the championship in the top 20 division.  Matta stuck to Davis like glue for all four days of the event and simply wouldn't let him out of his sight.  University of Kentucky head coach John Calipari was also on hand for Davis' first two pool play contests (Thursday evening and Friday afternoon respectively), with a Wildcat assistant also present the entire time.  We also find it interesting that the third school that Davis is considering--that being Syracuse--only had an assistant coach in attendance, as Jim Boeheim was not present for any part of the event.  As we have stated previously, it is going to be a down-to-the-wire battle.  At the present time, we believe that Ohio State and Kentucky are neck-and-neck, with the Buckeyes possibly holding the slight edge.

... Chasson Randle, the 6'2 class of 2011 combo guard from Rock Island High School in Rock Island, IL had assistants from all three of his finalists (Illinois, Purdue and Stanford) in the gym on the first evening and for part of the second day, as Illini assistant Jay Price, Boilermakers assistant Jack Owens and Cardinals Associate Head Coach Dick Davey were all in the gym to take in the action.  By Friday afternoon Illini head coach Bruce Weber had moved in, with Boilermaker head coach Matt Painter also being present on the third day.  Randle has said that he would like to take a couple of official visits during August and once he does that, we look for his recruitment to end fairly soon.

... Although the jury may still be out as to what college level would be the ideal fit for 6'3 class of 2011 guard Phil Greene from Julian High School in Chicago, there is no question that he continues to draw high major attention.  Both DePaul University head coach Oliver Purnell and West Virginia Associate Head Coach Larry Harrison were watching Greene intently on the first two days and remain at the forefront of his recruitment.  A number of mid-majors are also continuing to track Greene closely.

... Eastern Kentucky University assistant coach Luke Strege, who did an outstanding job of recruiting Illinois-based talent during his tenure at Quincy University, was watching every move of 6'3 class of 2011 shooting guard Will Sullivan from York Township High School in Elmhurst, IL during the Illinois Wolves 17-Under's pool play contests on the first two days.  Needless to say, the Colonels have already offered Sullivan a scholarship.

... Northwestern University assistant coach Tavaras Hardy was sure to be on hand for the first two days in Kansas City to watch 6'1 class of 2011 point guard David Sobolewski from Benet Academy in Lisle, IL, who committed to the Wildcats two weeks ago.

... Other coaches who were fixtures at Wolves' games included Loyola-Chicago head coach Jim Whitesell, Southern Illinois University head coach Chris Lowery, SMU head coach Matt Doherty, Western Michigan University head coach Steve Hawkins and assistant coach Larry Farmer, Illinois State University assistant coach Rob Judson, University Of Northern Iowa assistant coach Kyle Green, University Of Evansville assistant coach Chris Hollender, Bradley University assistant coach Kyle Vogt and Indiana State University Associate Head Coach Lou Gudino.

... Purnell, Lowery, Green, St. Louis University Associate Head Coach Porter Moser and Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville assistant coaches Mark Allaria and Matt Laur were sure to catch all of the Illinois Wolves 16-Under squad's pool play contests on the first two days of action.

... The Mean Streets White 16-Under squad drew the likes of Whitesell, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville head coach Lennox Forrester, Moser, Northern Illinois University assistant coach Todd Townsend, Ohio University assistant coach Jamall Walker and University At Albany assistant coach Jeremy Friel to their contests. 

... Staying on the subject of Mean Streets White, 6'3 class of 2012 guard/forward Juwan Starks from West Aurora High School in Aurora, IL has received a scholarship offer from Indiana State University with St. Louis University also showing a high level of interest.

... Moser was also living with the 17-under Peoria Carver squad during the first two days of the Hoop City Classic, with 6'5 class of 2011 forward Andrew Jordan from Manual High School in Peoria being a top priority.

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