WHAT THEY SAID

"Trying to make a push for a starting spot. If not, try to be a contributor. And also just get back healed."

Meyers Leonard, on some of his freshman-year goals

WHAT I'M THINKING

Random thoughts

– I'm watching tough guy CHESTER FRAZIER work out the current Illini. On Wednesday there was Frazier, wearing a walking boot to protect an injury, racing and hobbling around the practice court while shouting instructions to MIKE DAVIS and CRANDALL HEAD. It was vintage Chester, and it felt like 2007, walking boot and all.

– Frazier worked with Head on pull-up jumpers. ("Use the glass!") He worked with Davis on footwork and creating his shot. ("Rip!") This is a 24-year-old with a passion for coaching – and a passion for helping his former teammates. Considering his influences – BRUCE WEBER and prep coach HERMAN HARRIED – he would seem to be a natural.

– With the limitations put on coaches in the offseason, I'm thinking Illinois could use the kind of influence Frazier would provide. He remains a respected voice. And frankly, some of the players could use a kick in the backside at times.

– I'm thinking Frazier already has an offer to return to Germany next season. But I know Illinois would love to find a staff position for Frazier. I don't know if that's possible – and I don't know if Illinois knows if that's possible – but I expect it will be pursued.

– I'm thinking Weber's appointment with USA Basketball has paid dividends in the past year. A pair of current Illini – Davis and MIKE TISDALE – and a pair of future Illini – JEREME RICHMOND and TRACY ABRAMS – have received invites to USA trials.

– I'm thinking the Big 12 will be a ruthless gauntlet for its remaining teams. It will be the most difficult conference next season and for the foreseeable future. Seven of the 10 remaining teams reached the 2010 NCAA tournament. With Colorado and Nebraska gone – addition by subtraction on the basketball side – there are few cakewalks in what will be a grueling 18-game conference schedule.

– A freshman set the Illini bar on the bench press. MEYERS LEONARD last week did 14 reps of 185 pounds. That was the team's high.

– That doesn't tell me the 7-footer is ready to play a high-major schedule right now. But it shows he's capable of building a powerful physique after a season or two with strength and conditioning coach JIMMY PRICE. "He (Leonard) has a body that can put on weight," Weber said.

WHAT I'M HEARING

In this corner, we believe everything we hear

– I'm hearing TRACY ABRAMS was boarding a flight from Texas to Virginia when reached by phone Wednesday. It was the latest trip on a busy summer for the UI recruit.

– Abrams was leaving San Antonio, where he competed in USA Basketball trials for the U18 national team, for Charlottesville, where this week he will compete in the NBPA Top 100 camp.

– The final day of USA workouts saw four players competing for two spots. Abrams didn't make the final 12-man roster but called it "a great opportunity."

"I got some good feedback," he said. "Then those times where I forced a couple shots they let me know. I got great feedback from the coaches, though. Nothing negative."

– The U18 national team staff includes Oklahoma's JEFF CAPEL, Georgia Tech's PAUL HEWITT and Buffalo's REGGIE WITHERSPOON. The selection committee included JIM BOEHEIM, LORENZO ROMAR and BRUCE WEBER.

– Asked to name the best player at the trials, Abrams didn't hesitate: "KYRIE IRVING." That gives some insight as to why Duke should be No. 1 or 2 in the preseason. Irving will take over at point guard for the defending champs.

"Most of the time the teams were mixed up, but when I did play him, I played pretty well," Abrams said. "I had a lot of energy when I played him."

– Irving also impressed the Illinois coach. "He's really good. Whoever had to go against him (at the trials), it was tough," Weber said. "There was him and there was everybody else."

– The trials included four sessions. "We pretty much just played scrimmage games," Abrams said. Unfortunately, he missed the first day due to travel difficulties. He played point guard, however, a positive sign for an Illinois program that needs one in 2010-11.

– Incoming freshman JEREME RICHMOND was named to the 12-player final roster that will compete in a FIBA qualifier June 26-30 in San Antonio. Abrams said Richmond was "definitely" one of the best players at the trials.

"He played excellent," Abrams said. "He played really good. He's boarding, scoring. Playing really good. Playing defense. He was playing the 3 and the 4. He was comboing. I think he's ready for Illinois."

– Weber, who attended the workouts, said Richmond's versatility helped his selection.

"He was good. I think he was in the top half of the group," Weber said from San Antonio. "I think one of the things that's going to be great for him is (that) he's played inside a lot in high school. He was a big guy.

"Now to get the opportunity to step out on the court and do some things, that's a good opportunity. Hopefully it will become more natural for him."

– I'm hearing coaches envision Richmond at the small forward spot as a freshman at Illinois.

"He's long, he rebounds. He likes to go inside and do some things," Weber said. "At the same time if he's going to have a future (professionally) he's going to have to come out (on the perimeter) and do some things. That's why I think this (USA Basketball) will be good for him."

– Richmond will stay in San Antonio and probably return to the Illinois campus about July 5.

– Meanwhile, Abrams will attend the DERON WILLIAMS Skills Academy after the NBPA camp. Then it's a full July playing with Illinois Wolves. Abrams said he's met Williams "a few times," including at an AAU event last year in Las Vegas. "He's great. Real easy to talk to," Abrams said. "Him and DERRICK ROSE (are two point guards he studies)."

– I'm hearing Abrams' relationship with Illinois recruit MYCHEAL HENRY played a role in Henry's recent commitment to the Illini.

"We're real tight. We talk a lot, joke around," Abrams said. "I think that was the best fit for us and for him. He can help our team out, and we can help our team out. It's a great fit for both of us."

– Abrams' description of Henry: "He's like 6-5 or 6-6. It's hard to describe him. He smiles, but he plays real hard. He does all the little things. He just gets it done."

– Abrams was part of the group that scrimmaged with the current Illini on the unofficial visit that clinched Henry's commitment. Who stood out? "Meechi," Abrams said, referring to incumbent point guard DEMETRI McCAMEY. "He was unbelievable."

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Cleaning out the notebook

– Former Illini CALVIN BROCK, C.J. JACKSON, CHESTER FRAZIER (who didn't play as he nurses a bruised heel) and JAMAR SMITH took part in pickup games with current Illini last week at Ubben Basketball Complex.

– DEMETRI McCAMEY and Smith were in a battle for best player on the court. After finishing his career at Southern Indiana, Smith said he's been invited to play for the Charlotte Bobcats summer league team in July.

– The most likely scenario has Smith heading overseas for his first season – and he's cool with that. "I'm a basketball player. I'm willing to go overseas to play ball – wherever I can go to play," he said.

– Smith's still lanky and weighs about 180. He joked, "I was 180 here (at Illinois) but now I'm really 180." The jumper hasn't changed; it's still a surprise when the ball doesn't swish through.

– When Southern Indiana hired Rodney Watson a year ago, it was a blessing for Smith. Watson coached alongside Bruce Weber at SIU and shares similar philosophies. Smith was able to adapt quickly because he was familiar with Watson's style of play.

"When we started getting into practice and started running our offense and defense, it reminded me of Illinois," said Smith, a Division II All-American as a senior.

– However, basketball wasn't the biggest change for Smith. He's gifted; that part comes easy. It was a lifestyle change, including how he was viewed in public.

"Basketball players (at Illinois) are looked at as celebrities. You walk on campus – just walking to class – and you've got people asking for your autograph," he said. "It's almost like you really are a celebrity just from playing basketball. In Evansville, it gives you a chance to just focus on school and focus on basketball without so much of the spotlight."

– Smith said he plans on being around the UI facility through much of June, working out with the current players. One player, in particular, has stood out.

"Meechi (Demetri McCamey), he is a ballplayer," Smith said. "He surprised me the first time I came to open gym and played with him by how much better he had gotten since the time I had left."

– Freshman MEYERS LEONARD, who is nursing a stress fracture in his left foot, isn't playing in pickup games but continues to lift weights. "I'm pretty limited right now," the 7-footer said.

– Leonard said coaches gave him an offseason goal of finding a go-to move on offense. "They (the coaches) say 'killer' and a 'counter.' So a jump hook and a turnaround (jumper), something like that," Leonard said.

WHAT I'M READING

Headlines, deadlines and the best lines

His offer list currently includes: Butler, Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, IUPUI, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon State, Vanderbilt and Xavier.

Indianapolis Star on Illini recruiting target Gary Harris

THE LIST

As the Illini return to Ubben Basketball Complex, four players – current and former – are on the mend. Here's the injury update:

1. Meyers Leonard (stress fracture) – Robinson's finest says he hopes to return to pickup games "maybe next week" after a doctor's visit

2. Joseph Bertrand (knee) – Showing no ill signs with repaired knee; "I'd say I'm totally healthy," he says

3. Crandall Head (knee) – Says his lateral movement not yet 100 percent; Could've fooled us – he looks fluid and strong

4. Chester Frazier – Former Illini hobbling around practice gym while wearing a walking boot to protect bruised heel

THE NUMBER

4 – Jersey chosen by CRANDALL HEAD, who said of wearing LUTHER'S old number, "I'm just trying to keep the legacy going"