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CHAMPAIGN - Jereme Richmond will arrive at Illinois with a distinguished pedigree.

That of a McDonald's All-American.

Richmond, the reigning News-Gazette All-State Player of the Year, was one of 24 prep seniors selected to participate in the McDonald's All-American game on March 31. The game will be played at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Illinois head coach Bruce Weber left immediately after today's practice to recruit, presumably in Indianapolis.

"It's been a long time coming (for Richmond). He deserves it," said assistant Jerrance Howard, who handled much of Richmond's recruitment after former assistant Tracy Webster left for Kentucky. "He's worked so hard to get where he is. He's been on the circuit for three, four years, trying to get to this point. It's been a goal for him."

A 6-foot-7 swingman, Richmond is the first Illinois recruit to earn the honor since Dee Brown in 2002. He joined three other Big Ten recruits on the McDonald's list: Michigan State's Keith Appling and Ohio State's Jared Sullinger and DeShaun Thomas.