Illinois Grades Out As An A

Illinois is currently involved in the recruiting process of Ike Diogu (left), a 6-8 forward from the state of Texas. However, they trail Arizona State and Connecticut in this process. Diogu might have a decision today. We will keep you posted on this possible announcement.

Dee Brown (right), a smooth 6-0, 170-pound point guard from Proviso East High School in Maywood, IL, committed to Illinois over Michigan State last September.

Brown will fit nicely in the backcourt with Deron Williams (left), a 6-3 and 195-pound point guard from The Colony High School in Texas. Williams is one of the better floor generals available in the class of 2002. Williams especially solidified this statement toward the end of the summer.

Williams is a tremendous leader with very little extraneous matter to his game. Deron handles the ball with robot like precision, finds open teammates around the basket and oh yes, he can score a little bit too when his team needs him to pitch in offensively. “Add it all up and you have without a doubt the top PURE point guard in the Class of 2002,” said Rivalshoops.com’s Russ Blake.

To help out in the front court, Self and his staff landed Kyle Wilson (right), a 6-8, 215 pound combination/power forward from Jesuit H.S. in Dallas, Texas. Wilson stated one of the main reasons he chose Illinois was the coaching staff. "Coach Self and his staff are great," Wilson said. "They are losing a lot of guys after this season. There is going to be a big need for players like myself."

Wilson has the ability to put the ball on the floor for a big man and face the basket with range out to about 18 feet. Though he will need to continue getting stronger to mix it up more effectively inside, he may eventually be able to play the three slot at the Division I level.

Another player Illinois is excited about is 6-10, 215 pound center/power forward James Augustine (left) of Lincoln-Way H.S. in New Lennox, Illinois. A long lefty insider, Augustine had a solid summer too. He made some progress in his perimeter game.

Always working hard no matter what the score, Augustine’s best days are ahead of him. Augustine is very agile and mobile, and he flies in for offensive rebounds and stickbacks. He likes to step out on the wing and put the ball on the floor a bit and shoot the occasional three pointer, but that's not really where his future lies.

James will make his living in the paint. He is smooth and is learning the post up game. On the defensive end, has long arms to frustrate opposing team's big men.

Augustine will make a nice bookend with Kyle Wilson in the future. It seems this Illinois recruiting class was well thought out and well executed. Self may try for one more so we will keep you updated on who they might try to get involved with down the road. But for now, give them an “A.”