I had some conversations with a few contacts over the weekend. This is how I read the guard situation right now.
I'm still confident in my FutureCast for Jase Butler. He's committing on Wednesday, and there have been no late minute red flags. He's the top priority for Illinois right now in 2024. They love that he's a pure point guard with size. Legit 6-foot-4, good feel for the game, excellent passer, and smooth jumper. If he was a more explosive athlete, he'd be top 50-75, IMO. I'd expect him to land in the 125-150 range this week when the rankings are updated.
Mikey Lewis visits Ole Miss this coming weekend. If they push for him (and I'm not sure they will) then he could possibly commit. As of last week, people I've talked to thought it might be St. Mary's. Either way, I think he's plan B for Illinois at this point. Still in play, but less likely than he was a month or so ago. We'll know more after next weekend. NIL $ is a big factor / consideration for each school that's involved.
Illinois has positioned itself pretty well with Jeremiah Fears in a couple of different ways. He would be a priority for ICON (NIL $). That's a big factor. And Fears likes how his game fits the system.
If the big boys like Arizona, Kansas, and possibly Kentucky buy in to Fears as a 2024 kid and are willing to pony up, then it gets much harder for Illinois.
Kansas is more interesting now because of losing Arterio Morris, but they still have Dajuan Harris back for another year after this season, along with Elmarko Jackson and Labaron Philon.
Right now I see Kansas' pursuit of Fears as a class of 2025 prospect, same as the other blue bloods. They very likely want him to 1. not commit anywhere else and 2. stay in 2025. That could change, obviously.
I think it all plays out before the January timeframe when Fears said he was going to commit, but Fears isn't going to jump into anything without a clear plan.
Any questions?
I'm still confident in my FutureCast for Jase Butler. He's committing on Wednesday, and there have been no late minute red flags. He's the top priority for Illinois right now in 2024. They love that he's a pure point guard with size. Legit 6-foot-4, good feel for the game, excellent passer, and smooth jumper. If he was a more explosive athlete, he'd be top 50-75, IMO. I'd expect him to land in the 125-150 range this week when the rankings are updated.
Mikey Lewis visits Ole Miss this coming weekend. If they push for him (and I'm not sure they will) then he could possibly commit. As of last week, people I've talked to thought it might be St. Mary's. Either way, I think he's plan B for Illinois at this point. Still in play, but less likely than he was a month or so ago. We'll know more after next weekend. NIL $ is a big factor / consideration for each school that's involved.
Illinois has positioned itself pretty well with Jeremiah Fears in a couple of different ways. He would be a priority for ICON (NIL $). That's a big factor. And Fears likes how his game fits the system.
If the big boys like Arizona, Kansas, and possibly Kentucky buy in to Fears as a 2024 kid and are willing to pony up, then it gets much harder for Illinois.
Kansas is more interesting now because of losing Arterio Morris, but they still have Dajuan Harris back for another year after this season, along with Elmarko Jackson and Labaron Philon.
Right now I see Kansas' pursuit of Fears as a class of 2025 prospect, same as the other blue bloods. They very likely want him to 1. not commit anywhere else and 2. stay in 2025. That could change, obviously.
I think it all plays out before the January timeframe when Fears said he was going to commit, but Fears isn't going to jump into anything without a clear plan.
Any questions?
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