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SportsWednesday, October 17, 2007 1:50 AM CDT
6-foot-9 Simpson on board with Illini for '08
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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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Reader comments on this story - 7 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Yes, Weber Cannot recruit wrote on Oct 17, 2007 6:47 PM:

" If he could get the kids he should have gotten. The lineup would be G-Collins (KU), G-Scheyer (Duke), G-Rose(Memphis), G- Gordon (IU), heck toss Pruit in there it really doesn't matter just a big body in the middle. 3 of those should have been a lock he would have never gotten Scheyer even with with his brother coaching him wasnt going to matter. That lineup is unreal and probably a preseason #2 this year behind UNC, but a national title in a year. But I digress... Frazier, Meacham, Mccaney, Brock, Randle will keep you right in the hunt for that NIT title. Oh I forgot about Jordan that will sell tickets if daddy decides to show up. I'll take the first lineup!!! "

IU FAN... wrote on Oct 17, 2007 12:45 PM:

" Don't worry, if we see anyone we like or shows promise, we will go ahead and take them from you....thanks for doing our dirty work though "

TDOG wrote on Oct 17, 2007 11:42 AM:

" I agree. A VERBAL means nothing today folks! Yes we will see. Weber still cannot recruit. we were in the championship game 2 yrs ago and have not gotten goooood players since. This year we will struggle. Next year man we will struggle also ok! We have to wait maybe 2 more yrs. Come on folks get a grip and wake up! "

hesitant wrote on Oct 17, 2007 9:58 AM:

" Let me first state I'm and Illini fan, but seriously can we really take any of this crap as truth cough *Gordon* cough. Until I see something on a piece of paper locking them into the program, verbal commitments remind me of the saying "wish in one hand crap in the other and see which one fills up first" I mean seriously can we really trust a verbal commitment from a sophmore / junior in high school. "

I will only get better... wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:22 AM:

" in terms of recruiting classes at Illinois...2010 they already have gotten a verbal from Jeremy Richmond 6'7" wing that is considered the 5th best High School Sophomore in the nation and will without question be a McD's All American...that class also has Deandre Mcamey(the younger brother of freshman Demitri Mcamey already at Illinois) and the younger brother of Luther Head, Crandall Head...there is also a PG in that class Anthony Johnson who loves the Illini and is considered the 2nd best prospect in the state behind Richmond...things are looking up for the Illini, lets hope Bruce and staff can keep up the good momentum! "

iwuchamps wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:02 AM:

" Where's all the "Weber can't recruit" gang these past few days? Haven't heard so much from that bunch. "

Illini fan wrote on Oct 17, 2007 5:13 AM:

" It just keeps getting better and better.... "

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