Basketball

Catching Up with JJ Taylor

Catching Up with JJ Taylor

At the NY2LA Lone Star Invitational tourney in Dallas, I had a chance to catch up with JJ Taylor. Taylor is a 6'8" G/F for the Mac Irvin Fire 16U team. Currently, he is ranked #21 by Rivals and #8 by 247 for the 2023 class.

JJ has the ability to shoot the deep three. His range is impressive. He is also dynamite in the open court and takes the ball to basket often and with intensity. Here's what he had to say. 

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Basketball Recruiting Analysis - 2022 Guards

Basketball Recruiting Analysis - 2022 Guards

Setting aside the hiring of our 3rd assistant coach, Illinois basketball's biggest question for the future is how can they capitalize on the recruiting trail. Getting on the trail and finding impact players for 2022 should be prioritized. Building these relationships will be key, and while other teams may have a “head start” with our staff just now being completed, this recruiting cycle is truly unprecedented due to the COVID restrictions for the last 15 months.

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Catching Up with Owen Freeman and Ty Pence

Catching Up with Owen Freeman and Ty Pence

At the NY2LA Lone Star Invitational tourney in Dallas, had a chance to catch up with Owen Freeman. Owen is a 6'10" F from the 16U MidPro Academy team.

Owen is an athletic big man who has worked to develop the ball handling and passing skills that aren't often seen by many 4s and 5s in today's game.

At the same NY2LA Lone Star Invitational tourney in Dallas, also had a chance to catch up with Owen's teammate, Ty Pence. Ty is a 6'6" G for the MidPro Academy 16U team. 

Ty is an athletic big guard with hops who has a long range three point shot to go with solid ballhandling skills.

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New Illini assistant coach Alexander sees his dreams become reality

New Illini assistant coach Alexander sees his dreams become reality

"The University of Illinois is my dream job.  It's my pinnacle job.  It's what I watched growing up.  It's what I know.  I think it's the best of the best."  Alexander says he got the coaching bug after attending the 1991 NCAA championship game in Indianapolis with his dad, when Duke defeated Kansas for the school's first title.  He played for his dad at Lincoln and, after two years at a junior college in Iowa, he went to play at Western Illinois, where he would meet an assistant coach who would change his life - a guy named Brad Underwood.

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Catching Up with AJ Casey

Catching Up with AJ Casey

At the NY2LA Lone Star Invitational tourney in Dallas, I had a chance to catch up with AJ Casey.

Casey is a 6'8" F for the Meanstreets 17U team. Currently, he is ranked #21 by Rivals and #20 by 247 for the 2022 class. 

Recently, rumors had it that Casey was willing to look at the Illini after a period of time where he didn't show a lot of interest. After his Meanstreets team played well this weekend, he was kind enough to spare a few minutes to talk basketball with an IlliniGuy.

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New offer should be coming for 2022 guard

New offer should be coming for 2022 guard

By Kedric Prince – IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting May […]

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Get to know new Illini assistant coach Geoff Alexander

Get to know new Illini assistant coach Geoff Alexander

(The following text is from the University of Illinois […]

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Has the Tre ship sailed on the Illini?

Has the Tre ship sailed on the Illini?

Is Mitchell a lost cause for Illinois?  Not so fast, says IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting Kedric Prince in our latest I On The Illini podcast that dropped Thursday night. Kedric reminds listeners that Illinois remains the place where Mitchell wants to be and lists the reasons why and says, with the start of summer school classes still three weeks away, the possibility of getting him in Champaign remains.

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Brad Underwood playing a key role in Jaden Schutt recruitment

Brad Underwood playing a key role in Jaden Schutt recruitment

So much has been made lately of 2022 shooting guard Jaden Schutt from Yorkville, Illinois and his recruitment. We at IlliniGuys.com caught up with Schutt to get the latest on his recruitment.

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Illinois’ Chester Frazier giving recruits a new home to view

Illinois’ Chester Frazier giving recruits a new home to view

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The incoming class of 2021 ready and waiting

The incoming class of 2021 ready and waiting

First, let us clear the air when talking to Luke Goode, Ramses "RJ" Melendez and Brandin Podziemski. All three are fully committed to Illinois and plan to be ready to go come June when classes start.

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Mike Cagley's Heat Checks and Hail Marys - The Great Kentucky Raid of 2021

Mike Cagley's Heat Checks and Hail Marys - The Great Kentucky Raid of 2021

Mike Cagley, IlliniGuys Co-Founder The loss of Orlando Antigua […]

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Don't forget about Luke Goode

Don't forget about Luke Goode

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Underwood finds a perfect match in Frazier

Underwood finds a perfect match in Frazier

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Illinois top prep in the class of 2022 resurfaces

Illinois top prep in the class of 2022 resurfaces

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