Four UI recruits in title games
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Eye on the (future) Illini
Troy Gentle's weekly update on the five players headed Bruce Weber's way and the two players headed Jolette Law's way:
MEN
TRACY ABRAMS (Mount Carmel) — Hit a pair of three-pointers in an early 13-0 run as the Caravan rolled 62-29 against Hinsdale Central on Tuesday. Abrams finished with 14 points and three assists. He sat out the fourth quarter with a hyperextended elbow but is expected to play in today’s regional title game against Hyde Park.
NNANNA EGWU (Chicago St. Ignatius) — Wolfpack won 57-51 in overtime against St. Patrick on Wednesday. Egwu contributed 15 points, seven rebounds and four blocks. St. Ignatius will face Foreman for the regional title.
MEYERS LEONARD (Robinson) — Went 9 for 9 from the line to help the Maroons get past Flora 67-55 on Friday. On Tuesday, Robinson needed every bit of Leonard’s double-double (25 points, 15 rebounds, along with four blocks) to get past determined Unity 61-50 in two overtimes. Robinson plays for the sectional title tonight against Teutopolis.
JEREME RICHMOND (Waukegan) — The Bulldogs opened Class 4A regional play Tuesday with a 90-60 romp against Rolling Meadows. Richmond scored 21 of his game-high 30 points in the first half. Waukegan faces host Buffalo Grove tonight for the regional championship.
CRANDALL HEAD (Rich South) — Injured.
WOMEN
ALEXIS BURKE (Bainbridge, Ga.) — Ended the season with a 51-43 loss to Forest Park on Saturday. She was named Georgia Region 1AAAA Player of the Year for the second straight year.
CENTRESE McGEE (Thornton Fractional North) — Meteors could not overcome 2-for-19 shooting in the final eight minutes and were upset by Hillcrest 76-62 last Thursday at the Hillcrest Sectional final. McGee led T.F. North (28-4) with 23 points.
Z is it possible that NNANNA EGWU has the highest ceiling of all four of these players? I see Meyers Leonard and Jereme Richmond as likely first round draft picks in the NBA. Is it possible that Egwu becomes the greatest of all floor? In the back of my mind I believe there is a possibility that Abrams becomes Isaah Thomas by the time he leaves Illinois with Bruce working with him daily.
I think Leonard is going to be a guy that programs like Kansas and North Carolina have huge regrets that they didn't recuit him much sooner. Leonard has the potential to be an NBA center or power forward for ten years. I think he will be a much better offensive player at Illinois than he has shown so far. I also think he will be our best rebounder other than Egwu within a couple of years.
To me all four are potential great players.
Richmond may be the first star out of all four at Illinois but his challenge will be keeping his head on straight and playing team ball. He has never struck me as being a ball hog while in high school.
Mr. Head could turn into a Kevin Martin type of player while at Illinois. If he recovers 100% from his injury and surgery the young man could be the player that puts Illinois over the top in the Big Ten. The beauty is all five of these studs are on top of Mr. Paul and Mr. Richardson who both are oozing with athletic ability and explosive talent.
The future is basketball is so very bright.
Go ILLINI
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