Tyler Griffey

6-foot-8, Forward, Wildwood (Mo.) Lafayette

Ranked 92nd by Scout.com and 127th by Rivals.com, versatile forward averaged 17 points, nine rebounds and three blocks as a junior.

Illinois recruit Tyler Griffey is a well-rounded 18-year-old. He's worked at a St. Louis-area car wash. He's traveled the globe with an adidas-sponsored select team. Today the 6-foot-8 forward will end the recruiting process by signing a national letter of intent with Illinois. Beat writer Paul Klee caught up with the big man in Illinois' 2009 recruiting class after Griffey's first practice of his senior season on Monday.

So did (Lafayette) coach (Scott) Allen excuse you from running since you're signing on Wednesday?

Tyler Griffey: "No. None of that. He ran us pretty good, actually. We get along great. I really like our coaches. They're both young guys that I get along with. I can't wait for it (Wednesday). I'm really excited to make it official. I've been waiting for this day for a long time. I'm going to send it in on Wednesday morning. Everybody else (at Lafayette) is signing at about 2 o'clock. A news crew is coming and all that. It should be fun."

Going back a ways, describe the scenario when Bruce Weber offered you a scholarship.

TG: "I think it was on a Monday. We had a real good, long talk. He told me where he saw me fitting into the program. He offered me right around sophomore year. He told me he sees me fitting in the program and how he

really wants me to be a part of it. He told me we have a great chance to win down the road. I was surprised when they offered me when they did. I was cool with it, of course, and that was one of my biggest offers at the time."

I remember you told me Weber was one of the first coaches to contact you.

TG: "He sent me a text message at 5 in the morning on the first day they could call. It might have been 4 in the morning. I was in Portland with adidas Nations, so we were two hours behind everybody. I got it like two hours earlier than I would have."

So Bruce Weber woke you up.

TG: "Oh, yeah. He definitely woke me up. I was rooming with Erik Murphy, he's going to Florida (in its 2009 class). I guess we were kind of awake because both our phones were on all night."

What put you over the top with Illinois?

TG: "The three guards committing, that was a big factor. I wanted to play with them. And they're all great guys. I felt real comfortable with coach Weber and coach (Jay) Price. That's what it came down to. And the type of offense, the style of play coach Weber runs, I think I fit really well in that system."

You watched Brandon Paul and Joseph Bertrand play against each other at the Assembly Hall in June.

TG: "I love that. I'm looking forward to playing them boys. I'm going to have fun with that."

How often do you talk to the other three (recruits)?

TG: "I talk to Brandon and Joe once in while. I haven't met D.J. yet. I talk to Dominique (Keller) a lot. He's a jokester. We're always joking around and stuff."

What do you think this recruiting class can accomplish at Illinois?

TG: "I'm not really looking to set any goals for us right now. I know all of us want to come in and work as hard as possible. We want to win games and give it our all. I'm not going to set any specific goals or anything like that. I'm sure we'll do that when we get on campus. Other than that, I know we all want to work hard and anything can happen."

What about your relationship with the current guys?

TG: "I'm texting Dominique (Keller) right now as we speak. They're just a great group of guys up there. I can't wait to be a part of that. And I can't wait for college, either. Get away from home, be on my own. It's a new adventure for me."

How big are you now?

TG: "6-8, 230. I gained about 15, 20 pounds since school started in August. It's kind of been my peak. I'm going to still work out about three times a week with my personal trainer before school."

Can you be a celebrity in Missouri if you're an Illinois recruit?

TG: "There are some autographs. I was recently on the cover of a St. Louis metro magazine. I've been signing the heck out of those. (The magazine is ESPN Rise). That was like 3 1/2 hours into the photo shoot. It literally took 4 hours for four pictures. They took like 450 pictures. It was crazy. I was getting hungry."

Now the important stuff. What number will you wear at Illinois?

TG: "42. I already talked to the coaches about it. It's the number I've worn in high school. I was No. 55 all through grade school and middle school. My freshman year I went with 42. So I'll have it for four more years. Brian Randle was the last one (to wear it at Illinois)."

–Paul Klee