Each Monday, we'll introduce a team participating in the IlliniHQ Shootout at the Hall presented by State Farm Insurance, our annual boys' basketball extravaganza which this year takes place Dec. 12 at the Assembly Hall. Today: Robinson High School, home of Illinois recruit Meyers Leonard

Here's the scoop:

Robinson High School

City: Robinson

Enrollment: 500

Nickname: Maroons

Shootout appearance: Second

Three things to know about Robinson High School, courtesy staff writer Paul Klee:

1

It's been a memorable few weeks for Illinois recruit Meyers Leonard. First, he tripped to his future school for a lengthy stay. He spent time with Deron Williams when the former Illini was in town for his charity event. "I was down there (at Illinois) for four straight days," Leonard said. "Got to hang out with Deron. He was just really cool. You never really know what it's going to be like. You're around a pro that's one of the top three point guards in the NBA. We went out and ate dinner with him (at Flat Top Grill) on Green (Street)." And last weekend was homecoming at Robinson. "It's a good time around here," he said. "Obviously you know everybody so you just have a bunch of fun with your friends."

2

It doesn't sound as though Bruce Weber will have to prod Leonard to get him in the gym. He lifts weights four times weekly and said he's up to 7-foot, 225 pounds. Leonard also goes through extended shooting drills with his coach, Bob Coffman. On Thursday, he made 18 of 25 three-pointers, 42 of 50 free throws and practiced bank shots from just outside the paint, he said. "Coach keeps track of how I do," he said. "It (his numbers) normally stick in my mind if I have a good day." At Robinson, he's used to drawing "triple teams," he said, so he's glad to have the team's top three scorers returning for the 2009-10 season. Leonard said the second-tallest player on the team is 6-foot-4. "All the guys look forward to coming down there (for the Shootout at the Hall)," he said.

3

Somewhat out of the blue, Leonard committed to Illinois just over a year ago. He's counting down the days until he can sign a letter of intent. "Nov. 11, I've got it in my brains," he said. "It hasn't gone out of my head since I was told the date." Where does he figure into the rotation as a freshman? Leonard was wondering as much. With Mike Tisdale a senior, he'll give Weber a pair of 7-footers in the frontcourt, one with a fine shooting touch and one that embraces physical contact. "He (Weber) said, 'There's only Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale ahead of me. What if something happened to them? We'll need someone.' He expects me to get minutes, no doubt," Leonard said. "He's kind of relying on myself to do what I need to do." Travel on the summer club circuit gave him a preview of what it will be like to play college ball, at least in terms of travel. "July was just a big shocker. You're on airplanes and in airports and traveling all over the country," he said. "I had two stretches with 12 days and no days off."

The 2009 field

1. Brehm Prep - link

2. Quality Education Academy - link

3. Rock Island - link

4. Waukegan - link