The buzz about Fears is based on people around him, coaches, etc. feeling he's ready to decide. Jeremy wants to commit early but he's not really locked in on a specific day. I think it will come before the end of the calendar year.
Bringing his family with him on Monday night was a clear indication of where he's at. He wanted to get the same vibe from the Illini fans that Ty Rodgers got on his visit and that was accomplished. His dad likes Illinois a lot too. Michigan State and Michigan haven't given up, but Illinois is pretty confident.
Another top 2023 kid that Illinois feels really good about is Asa Thomas from Lake Forest. Wisconsin appears to be the main competition. Iowa is heavily involved. Ohio State. Northwestern. But I'd call Illinois a leader right now. Geoff Alexander is doing a great job in that recruitment.
Illinois is much more heavily involved with Rivals100 power forward Akil Watson than previously thought. He's probably the top big man target in the class right now.
They also have by no means given up on getting both Fears and Kylan Boswell and are pushing hard. As I posted before, I think it will be tough to get them both. But there is some appeal to it for both kids and the families are close.
I'd be surprised is JJ Taylor plays college basketball. People were blindsided by his move to Kanye West's prep school. The thoughts on that prep "school" is that it might not even stay open for the entire school year.
Illinois is pretty much out of it for Matas Bruzelis. He was a top target early, but since he went to Brewster he's a national kid. If he gets offers from Duke and / or Kentucky he's likely headed to one of them. Kansas, North Carolina, etc. Interesting kid. He believes he's a 6-10 point guard. Maybe he is. We'll see.
Bringing his family with him on Monday night was a clear indication of where he's at. He wanted to get the same vibe from the Illini fans that Ty Rodgers got on his visit and that was accomplished. His dad likes Illinois a lot too. Michigan State and Michigan haven't given up, but Illinois is pretty confident.
Another top 2023 kid that Illinois feels really good about is Asa Thomas from Lake Forest. Wisconsin appears to be the main competition. Iowa is heavily involved. Ohio State. Northwestern. But I'd call Illinois a leader right now. Geoff Alexander is doing a great job in that recruitment.
Illinois is much more heavily involved with Rivals100 power forward Akil Watson than previously thought. He's probably the top big man target in the class right now.
They also have by no means given up on getting both Fears and Kylan Boswell and are pushing hard. As I posted before, I think it will be tough to get them both. But there is some appeal to it for both kids and the families are close.
I'd be surprised is JJ Taylor plays college basketball. People were blindsided by his move to Kanye West's prep school. The thoughts on that prep "school" is that it might not even stay open for the entire school year.
Illinois is pretty much out of it for Matas Bruzelis. He was a top target early, but since he went to Brewster he's a national kid. If he gets offers from Duke and / or Kentucky he's likely headed to one of them. Kansas, North Carolina, etc. Interesting kid. He believes he's a 6-10 point guard. Maybe he is. We'll see.
