Recruiting as of 7/15/25

[Stretchdeltsig]

Yes.  BD.  BD. BD!

He speaks the truth while others conjecture.

[Dawson Rental]

Mizzou is full court pressing Ramey as has been Villanova. They have turned a corner with him and his dad. They were previously not in the mix. Villanova and Mizzou are the two schools I hear the most for Courtney at this time. Ramey plays a round of 16 large school sectional against CBC this Wednesday night. Mizzou, Illinois, and Minnesota were at his last game.

Also in that area, Mario Mckinney will be playing a small school round of 16 sectional this week. And EJ Liddell will be playing a round of 32 sectional in large school Illinois ball.

Appreciate the update.

[MU82]

There is a Charlotte kid named Jamarius Burton - an athletic 6-5 PG - has flown under the radar.

He was considered one of the state's top 20 recruits when he transferred to his current school (Independence HS, just outside of Charlotte) before his junior season. But he tore up his knee, missed that entire season, and was not even considered 3-star going into this, his senior season. Only the Elons and East Carolinas were recruiting him, though the big boys are starting to sniff around him now.

He has played superbly this season, gaining strength as the year has gone along, and has carried his school through a tough field in the state playoffs. He had 25 points and 10 rebounds in a win Saturday to put Independence in the 4A (big schools) title game.

I haven't seen him in person, just highlights. I doubt MU is even looking at him ... but maybe we should be. Obviously, I'm not saying he'd be our answer at PG next season, but you can never have enough PG prospects.

[TallTitan34]

Mark Smith transferring from Illinois.

[skianth16]

Mark Smith transferring from Illinois.

I was reading about him last night. It sounds like he'd be a great addition for us - good size, distributes the ball, able to drive to the paint - but he's going to have to sit a year. Having a former Mr. Basketball is always nice, but losing a year of eligibility isn't ideal.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Smith had a poor year for a poor team. We can do better.

[ATL MU Warrior]

I was reading about him last night. It sounds like he'd be a great addition for us - good size, distributes the ball, able to drive to the paint - but he's going to have to sit a year. Having a former Mr. Basketball is always nice, but losing a year of eligibility isn't ideal.

I don't know a thing about him, but if two scholarships do become available, it could be a perfect situation to sign both a traditional transfer PG like this kid and a grad transfer PG who can fill the one year gap until eligible. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Backup guard from a sub 500 Illinois team? Id take a pass. Might develop into something someday but I think we can get a better player

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

I don't know a thing about him, but if two scholarships do become available, it could be a perfect situation to sign both a traditional transfer PG like this kid and a grad transfer PG who can fill the one year gap until eligible.

I agree with this. But only if 2 scholarships becomes available, otherwise I don't see a fit.  Smith had offers from Michigan State, Texas, Kentucky, Indiana.  A former 4 star recruit with size for a PG. I'd be interested.

I was reading about him last night. It sounds like he'd be a great addition for us - good size, distributes the ball, able to drive to the paint - but he's going to have to sit a year. Having a former Mr. Basketball is always nice, but losing a year of eligibility isn't ideal.

He doesn't lose a year of eligibility, but he does have to redshirt a year before having 3 years of eligibility remaining

[skianth16]

I agree with this. But only if 2 scholarships becomes available, otherwise I don't see a fit.  Smith had offers from Michigan State, Texas, Kentucky, Indiana.  A former 4 star recruit with size for a PG. I'd be interested.

He doesn't lose a year of eligibility, but he does have to redshirt a year before having 3 years of eligibility remaining

I forgot the college basketball season is actually over for most Big Ten schools. Oops! I just assumed since I was reading about his transfer before our conference tourney started that he must have been a mid-year transfer. Silly me.

[brewcity77]

I felt like Smith was one of those late bloomers who got a ton of hype because he was the best player in Illinois in a down year for the state. Similar to how Steve Taylor was overrated coming out. I wouldn't hate taking a look at him, but I'd guess there will be better options.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Backup guard from a sub 500 Illinois team? Id take a pass. Might develop into something someday but I think we can get a better player

Derrick Wilson-esque shooter with a TO rate higher than assist rate. HARD pass

[MU82]

Derrick Wilson-esque shooter with a TO rate higher than assist rate. HARD pass

Oh boy. If true, totally agree. Been there, winced through that.

[Big Daddy 84]

Don't look for any significant activity the next two weeks with AH.  Both sides are focused on Tournaments.

Frolling rumor WTH???  Is there frustration on both sides, yes, but he is a respectful young man.  If you  have the green light to shoot a three and you are in there to stretch the D you better shoot when open.  Otherwise there are two others that play better D and also don't shoot from the outside ahead of you.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Thanks BD

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Don't put too my stock into all-state teams and Mr. Basketball in Illinois.

Downstate Illinois is a voting bloc. So many Chicagoland players get snubbed from all-state teams for both the girls and boys side.

[Lighthouse 84]

Don't look for any significant activity the next two weeks with AH.  Both sides are focused on Tournaments.

Frolling rumor WTH???  Is there frustration on both sides, yes, but he is a respectful young man.  If you  have the green light to shoot a three and you are in there to stretch the D you better shoot when open.  Otherwise there are two others that play better D and also don't shoot from the outside ahead of you.

Thanks for the heads up BD.  Does that include hearing about the scheduling of any on campus visits before April 11?

[4everwarriors]

Don't look for any significant activity the next two weeks with AH.  Both sides are focused on Tournaments.

Frolling rumor WTH???  Is there frustration on both sides, yes, but he is a respectful young man.  If you  have the green light to shoot a three and you are in there to stretch the D you better shoot when open.  Otherwise there are two others that play better D and also don't shoot from the outside ahead of you.

So, just ta bee klear Pops, you're sayin' we're only in da Tourney four da next 2 weeks, hey?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Don't look for any significant activity the next two weeks with AH.  Both sides are focused on Tournaments.

Frolling rumor WTH???  Is there frustration on both sides, yes, but he is a respectful young man.  If you  have the green light to shoot a three and you are in there to stretch the D you better shoot when open.  Otherwise there are two others that play better D and also don't shoot from the outside ahead of you.

Thanks Big Daddy.

The second paragraph is why I was confused when people said they saw Froling complaining about being open and not getting the ball. He's not a gunner, he's the opposite. His problem is that he doesn't shoot when he's open. If he doesn't have the confidence to hit the open jumper, then Theo and Matt are better than he is in the post so they will play.

[Loose Cannon]

Don't look for any significant activity the next two weeks with AH.  Both sides are focused on Tournaments.

Frolling rumor WTH???  Is there frustration on both sides, yes, but he is a respectful young man.  If you  have the green light to shoot a three and you are in there to stretch the D you better shoot when open.  Otherwise there are two others that play better D and also don't shoot from the outside ahead of you.

Thanks for this and helping to get the Rumor thread Locked Up.

[MuWarrior19]

http://usatodayhss.com/2018/ashton-hagans-blog-decommitment-from-georgia-falling-in-the-final-four-rumor-control-and-more

Well this makes things all sorts of confusing. Ashton Hagans just posted on his blog that he is staying in the class of 2019

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

http://usatodayhss.com/2018/ashton-hagans-blog-decommitment-from-georgia-falling-in-the-final-four-rumor-control-and-more

Well this makes things all sorts of confusing. Ashton Hagans just posted on his blog that he is staying in the class of 2019

Definitely makes it more difficult if this ends up sticking. Snagging a 5 star who decommits late in the process is a lot different then picking up a 5 star who will have an entire year of blue bloods throwing themselves at him.

[GGGG]

Yeah my guess is that he was looking at 2018 but couldn't swing it.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

That's too bad if true on Hagans.  Would definitely still take him (obviously), but still need to find a PG for next season.

[skianth16]

Definitely makes it more difficult if this ends up sticking. Snagging a 5 star who decommits late in the process is a lot different then picking up a 5 star who will have an entire year of blue bloods throwing themselves at him.

Would we still be in the chase if he's still a 2019 guy? I thought one of the primary reasons we were pushing so hard was to get a solid PG for next year?