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| SportsWednesday, October 17, 2007 1:50 AM CDT |
6-foot-9 Simpson on board with Illini for '08
CHAMPAIGN — Bruce Weber’s basketball recruiting binge continues. Stan Simpson, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound senior at Chicago Simeon High School, gave Weber and the University of Illinois a verbal commitment Monday. Simpson becomes the fourth recruit Weber has landed in the past five days and the first for the Class of 2008, which means he’ll be an Illini freshman next season. Simpson’s decision comes after Weber received verbal commitments late last week from three players who will arrive in 2009. Those players are current high school juniors D.J. Richardson of Peoria Central, Brandon Paul of Gurnee Warren Township and Joseph Bertrand of Sterling. Simpson, who didn’t play organized basketball until arriving in high school, was an all-Catholic League player at Chicago Leo before transferring to Chicago Simeon in the Chicago Public League for his senior year. His coach at Simeon, Robert Smith, said Simpson is just “scratching the surface” in terms of his individual development. “Right now, his biggest attribute is shot blocking and rebounding, although he can score around the basket,” Smith said Monday night. “You have to remember he’s only been playing for three years. “I think coach Weber’s offense fits the way Stan plays. And they will bring him along and take him to the next level.” Smith said Simpson was positively influenced by Richardson’s decision. “Stan was making his official visit (on the weekend of Oct. 6), and at the same time D.J. was making an unofficial visit,” Smith said. “They’re friends, and I think D.J.’s decision made Stan more comfortable.” Smith said new Illini assistant Jerrance Howard had also met with Simpson and talked with him about coming to Illinois. Simpson plays for the Illinois Warriors AAU team coached by Larry Butler, who said he thought Illinois would be a good destination for Simpson. Simpson was recruited by a number of schools, including Minnesota, Kansas State and Indiana, but in the end it came down to Illinois and Arkansas. Get area high school sports scores and statistics at Varsity Sports. |
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Yes, Weber Cannot recruit wrote on Oct 17, 2007 6:47 PM:
IU FAN... wrote on Oct 17, 2007 12:45 PM:
TDOG wrote on Oct 17, 2007 11:42 AM:
hesitant wrote on Oct 17, 2007 9:58 AM:
I will only get better... wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:22 AM:
iwuchamps wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:02 AM:
Illini fan wrote on Oct 17, 2007 5:13 AM:
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