Illinois HS Basketball News: Issue 15
Week of September 26, 2020
No analysis today, just the news.
I’m getting married today, so I cut some newsletter corners.
Six commitments this week (outside of my own). Tons of girls basketball offers. All that and more.
Reminder: To send me stories or recruiting news, find me on Twitter or email rudnik.jakub@gmail.com. And if you like the newsletter, please share with others who would like it!
Let’s get to basketball!
Neuqua Valley Star Commits to Ivy League
Neuqua Valley 2021 SG John Poulakidas announced his commitment to Yale. I spoke to Poulakidas about the decision and much more. Rick Armstrong also wrote about Poulakidas for the Naperville Sun.
Aurora Christian Star Announces Decision
Anna Griffin, a 2021 forward from Aurora Christian, verbally committed to Virginia over more than 30 other schools. Kaleb Carter wrote about Griffin and her college choice for Illinois-Basketball.com.
More Commitments
Lake Forest 2021 SF Walter Mattingly announced his verbal commitment to D2 Hillsdale. Mattingly played for Deerfield last year.
Geneva 2021 PF Dylan Fuzak announced his verbal commitment to NAIA Indiana Tech.
Schaumburg 2021 SG Emma Raupp announced her verbal commitment to D3 Edgewood College.
Altamont 2021 SG Brooke Runge announced her verbal commitment to NJCAA Parkland College.
Transfer News
“Two of southwestern Illinois’ top basketball programs take hits with key transfers” writes Dean Criddle for the Belleville News-Democrat.
Boys Recruiting News
Tuscola 2022 PG Jalen Quinn received an offer from Loyola.
Romeoville 2019 graduate Ikenna Okeke, who averaged 10.9 points and 5 rebounds as a freshman at Northern Oklahoma (juco), received a D1 offer from Alabama State.
Brother Rice 2021 PF Luke Moustakas received an offer from D2 Wisconsin-Parkside.
St. Patrick 2021 guard Nicholas Galati received an offer from D3 Lakeland.
Pekin 2021 PG Adam Cash received an offer from D3 Monmouth College.
Girls Recruiting News
Kenwood 2022 guard Brianna McDaniel received an offer from Florida.
Whitney Young 2023 guard Skylar Jones received an offer from Syracuse.
Carmel Catholic 2023 forward Jordan Wood received an offer from DePaul.
Libertyville 2023 guard Emily Fisher received an offer from DePaul.
Joliet West 2023 guard Lisa Thompson received an offer from Syracuse.
Thornwood 2022 PG Nayo Lear received an offer from Indiana State.
Kenwood 2022 G Whitney Dunn received an offer from Coppin State.
Bartlett 2022 G Kenzie Hare received an offer from Wyoming.
De La Salle 2021 guard Takiya Howard received an offer from Murray State.
Evanston 2022 wing Lola Lesmond received an offer from Florida Atlantic.
St. Charles North 2021 SG Talia Pellegrini received an offer from D2 Bemidji State.
Downers Grove South 2021 PF Ashley Lang received an offer from D3 Dominican.
York 2021 PG Kenzie Senffner received an offer from D3 Ripon.
Loyola Academy 2021 G Silvana Scarsella received an offer from D3 Millikin.
Coaching Stories and News
“Joe Ruklick: From Princeton’s Famous Five to NBA footnote in Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game” from Dave Eminian at the Journal Star
Illinois Players in the Pros
“Noted Naperville Central star Parker adds defensive award to resume” from Patricia Babcock McGraw at the Daily Herald
“Peoria ‘where it started’ for NBA assistant Brian Randle” from Stan Morris at the Journal Star
Illinois Players in College
“Adam Miller, Andre Curbelo part of competitive workout for Illinois men's basketball team” from Joey Wagner at the Herald & Review.
Other Stories and News
“Play against the boys? Oak Forest sophomore Janae Kent ‘put on a show’ of heart and talent in taking game to the next level” from Tony Baranek of the Daily Southtown.
“Rockford’s greatest basketball players No. 1: Fred VanVleet: Rockford’s greatest keeps getting greater” via Matt Trowbridge of the Rockford Register Star
“Something big is starting at St. Rita” Joe Henricksen writes for the Sun-Times. I wrote about St. Rita and all its young talent earlier this month.
Batavia 2017 graduate and former player Devion Davis was shot and killed in Chicago, the team’s Twitter account announced.