JULY LIVE PERIOD PREVIEW
Key events:
Peach Jam (EYBL Finals), July 11-15, North Augusta, SC.
Peach Invitational, July 11-15, Augusta, GA.
Under Armour Challenge, July 11-14, Atlanta, GA
Adidas Gauntlet Final, July 12-15, New York, NY
NY2LA Summer Jam, July 18-22, Mequon, WI
Adidas Summer Championships, July 18-22, Orange County, CA
UAA Finals, July 25-27, Las Vegas, NV
Fab 48, July 26-29, Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas Classic, July 25-29, Las Vegas, NV
Who Illinois will be watching:
After just over one year on the job, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood has completely reshaped the Illinois basketball roster, bringing in eight new players for the 2018-19 season. But perhaps the most important part of his roster rebuild comes in the 2019 class, where Illinois has had a year to build relationships and find players that are immediate impact types.
Of course, in 2018 the Illini pulled 5-star guard Ayo Dosunmu from Chicago, but the rest of the class is full of late additions which sometimes can be hit or miss. In 2019, Illinois needs to hit it big in the fall and find instant impact players on the wing and in the interior.
To find those pieces, the Illini have laid the groundwork throughout the spring and now have to follow up in July and be front and center for some of the top players in the country.
Kahlil Whitney - Mac Irvin Fire – Whitney visited Illinois in June and the Illini are in a good place with the 5-star wing ranked No. 23 in the Rivals 150. Whitney scored 20.7 PPG and grabbed 6.5 RPG for the Fire in the spring while shooting 37% from behind the arc. The Fire will at the Peach Invitational, the NY2LA event, then finish up the summer in Las Vegas.
Terrance Shannon Jr. - Mac Irvin Fire – the high-flying wing vaulted into the top 150 at No. 71 after a great spring that saw him score 14.3 PPG and grab 5.9 RPG before visiting Illinois in June. Illinois sold Shannon and now await a probable August decision.
EJ Liddell – Brad Beal Elite – The No. 38 player and Illinois Mr. Basketball had a solid if not spectacular spring scoring 14.0 PPG and grabbing 5.9 RPG as his squad advanced to the Peach Jam. Illinois, Ohio State, Kansas State and Missouri have emerged as the front runners, but he is still open to other options. Expect Illinois to be front and center at each of his games.
Kofi Cockburn – NY Rens – The mountain of a man has moved to 5 star status after scoring 15.8 PPG and grabbing 10.8 RPG in the spring. He is planning a visit to Illinois in August and will be playing in the Peach Jam. No.24 in the latest rivals 150.
Patrick Williams – Team United – Before April many had not heard of Patrick Williams, yet he now sits at No.61 in the Rivals 150 after scoring 13.3 PPG and grabbing 5.9 RPG, while hitting 42% from behind the arc. Williams will be at the Peach Jam.
Drew Timme – Drive Nation – Brad Underwood was the first to offer Timme and he is a great fit in the spread with his athleticism and ball skills. Timme scored 14.5 PPG and grabbed 8.4 RPG in the spring and Illinois is trying to stay in his recruitment and get a visit this fall. Timme checks in at No. 39 in the latest Rivals150 and will be at the Peach Jam.
Tre Mitchell – Expressions Elite – Mitchell is an Orange and Blue News favorite from the spring. Skilled and slimmed down, Mitchell is now No. 92 in the rivals 150. Scoring 10.1 PPG and snaring 8.2 RPG this spring, Mitchell showed off what he can do after losing 25 pounds. Mitchell will be at the Peach Jam.
Samuel Williamson – Drive Nation – The No. 34 player in the Rivals 150 is a long and fluid wing and the Illini like him a lot. He can really shoot it, and although he hit just 31% from deep this spring in route to 12.6 PPG and 6.4 RPG, he his 88% from the line, showing his shooting prowess.
Dylan Disu – Houston Hoops - Disu received and Illinois offer in June after a strong spring and the 6-foot-8 power forward is now the No. 124 player in the class and climbing. Illinois likes him quite a bit, despite the ranking. He has a great motor and is relentless on the court. Keep a close eye on this one in the coming weeks. His teammate, No. 97 Donovan Williams, is also one to keep an eye on at the Peach Jam.
MORE HOOPS NOTES
Big man Jason Jitoboh will be out for July after breaking his foot. He’s going to be one to watch in the frontcourt. He scored 10 points and grabbed 7 boards per contest in 7 games this spring.
The No. 33 player in the class, Zeke Nnaji will be in New York at the Adidas event this weekend.
Las Vegas Prospects 6-foot-7 wing Jalen Hill will be at the Peach Invitational as well. He lit up the spring with 17.5PPG and 7.5 RPG on 54% shooting.
Oscar Tshiebwe will be at the Under Armour event in Atlanta. He is still wide open and Illinois likes his ability to rebound and defend the rim.
2020 standout Moses Moody (Brad Beal Elite) will be at the Peach Jam and Adam Miller (Mac Irvin Fire) will be playing with the 17U Fire team in the Peach Invite.
Xavier Foster will be with Pure Prep in the Peach State Invitational in Atlanta.
DJ Steward will be with the 16U Meanstreets squad at the Peach Jam.
6-foot-7 Canadian 2020 star Addison Patterson received an Illinois offer in June. He will play with the 17U CIA Bounce in the Peach Invitational.
Key events:
Peach Jam (EYBL Finals), July 11-15, North Augusta, SC.
Peach Invitational, July 11-15, Augusta, GA.
Under Armour Challenge, July 11-14, Atlanta, GA
Adidas Gauntlet Final, July 12-15, New York, NY
NY2LA Summer Jam, July 18-22, Mequon, WI
Adidas Summer Championships, July 18-22, Orange County, CA
UAA Finals, July 25-27, Las Vegas, NV
Fab 48, July 26-29, Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas Classic, July 25-29, Las Vegas, NV
Who Illinois will be watching:
After just over one year on the job, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood has completely reshaped the Illinois basketball roster, bringing in eight new players for the 2018-19 season. But perhaps the most important part of his roster rebuild comes in the 2019 class, where Illinois has had a year to build relationships and find players that are immediate impact types.
Of course, in 2018 the Illini pulled 5-star guard Ayo Dosunmu from Chicago, but the rest of the class is full of late additions which sometimes can be hit or miss. In 2019, Illinois needs to hit it big in the fall and find instant impact players on the wing and in the interior.
To find those pieces, the Illini have laid the groundwork throughout the spring and now have to follow up in July and be front and center for some of the top players in the country.
Kahlil Whitney - Mac Irvin Fire – Whitney visited Illinois in June and the Illini are in a good place with the 5-star wing ranked No. 23 in the Rivals 150. Whitney scored 20.7 PPG and grabbed 6.5 RPG for the Fire in the spring while shooting 37% from behind the arc. The Fire will at the Peach Invitational, the NY2LA event, then finish up the summer in Las Vegas.
Terrance Shannon Jr. - Mac Irvin Fire – the high-flying wing vaulted into the top 150 at No. 71 after a great spring that saw him score 14.3 PPG and grab 5.9 RPG before visiting Illinois in June. Illinois sold Shannon and now await a probable August decision.
EJ Liddell – Brad Beal Elite – The No. 38 player and Illinois Mr. Basketball had a solid if not spectacular spring scoring 14.0 PPG and grabbing 5.9 RPG as his squad advanced to the Peach Jam. Illinois, Ohio State, Kansas State and Missouri have emerged as the front runners, but he is still open to other options. Expect Illinois to be front and center at each of his games.
Kofi Cockburn – NY Rens – The mountain of a man has moved to 5 star status after scoring 15.8 PPG and grabbing 10.8 RPG in the spring. He is planning a visit to Illinois in August and will be playing in the Peach Jam. No.24 in the latest rivals 150.
Patrick Williams – Team United – Before April many had not heard of Patrick Williams, yet he now sits at No.61 in the Rivals 150 after scoring 13.3 PPG and grabbing 5.9 RPG, while hitting 42% from behind the arc. Williams will be at the Peach Jam.
Drew Timme – Drive Nation – Brad Underwood was the first to offer Timme and he is a great fit in the spread with his athleticism and ball skills. Timme scored 14.5 PPG and grabbed 8.4 RPG in the spring and Illinois is trying to stay in his recruitment and get a visit this fall. Timme checks in at No. 39 in the latest Rivals150 and will be at the Peach Jam.
Tre Mitchell – Expressions Elite – Mitchell is an Orange and Blue News favorite from the spring. Skilled and slimmed down, Mitchell is now No. 92 in the rivals 150. Scoring 10.1 PPG and snaring 8.2 RPG this spring, Mitchell showed off what he can do after losing 25 pounds. Mitchell will be at the Peach Jam.
Samuel Williamson – Drive Nation – The No. 34 player in the Rivals 150 is a long and fluid wing and the Illini like him a lot. He can really shoot it, and although he hit just 31% from deep this spring in route to 12.6 PPG and 6.4 RPG, he his 88% from the line, showing his shooting prowess.
Dylan Disu – Houston Hoops - Disu received and Illinois offer in June after a strong spring and the 6-foot-8 power forward is now the No. 124 player in the class and climbing. Illinois likes him quite a bit, despite the ranking. He has a great motor and is relentless on the court. Keep a close eye on this one in the coming weeks. His teammate, No. 97 Donovan Williams, is also one to keep an eye on at the Peach Jam.
MORE HOOPS NOTES
Big man Jason Jitoboh will be out for July after breaking his foot. He’s going to be one to watch in the frontcourt. He scored 10 points and grabbed 7 boards per contest in 7 games this spring.
The No. 33 player in the class, Zeke Nnaji will be in New York at the Adidas event this weekend.
Las Vegas Prospects 6-foot-7 wing Jalen Hill will be at the Peach Invitational as well. He lit up the spring with 17.5PPG and 7.5 RPG on 54% shooting.
Oscar Tshiebwe will be at the Under Armour event in Atlanta. He is still wide open and Illinois likes his ability to rebound and defend the rim.
2020 standout Moses Moody (Brad Beal Elite) will be at the Peach Jam and Adam Miller (Mac Irvin Fire) will be playing with the 17U Fire team in the Peach Invite.
Xavier Foster will be with Pure Prep in the Peach State Invitational in Atlanta.
DJ Steward will be with the 16U Meanstreets squad at the Peach Jam.
6-foot-7 Canadian 2020 star Addison Patterson received an Illinois offer in June. He will play with the 17U CIA Bounce in the Peach Invitational.
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