Illinois junior a major Big Ten target

THE RIVALS150: Class of 2014 - Class of 2015

If people hadn't already figured it out, the secret is out on four-star junior guard Aaron Jordan. He can play and he's a major target in Big Ten country.

A 6-foot-4 junior shooting guard at Plainfield (Ill.) East, Jordan ranks No. 60 nationally in the class of 2015. This year he feels like he is much more equipped mentally and physically to compete.

"Last year was kind of different because I was skinny, well I'm still skinny, but I'm definitely stronger and can't be controlled as easy by the football guys they try to stick on me," Jordan told Rivals.com. "I do have way more confidence than last year. Being a junior and an upperclassmen now I need to be the man out there for my team."

A smooth shooting off guard who is quick and explosive along the baseline, Jordan has attracted offers from the likes of Butler, Illinois, Indiana, Northwestern, Purdue, Wisconsin and Xavier while Georgetown is also keeping tabs

"It actually caught me by surprise a little," said Jordan of the recruiting attention. "But, all of the work I was putting in it was bound to happen because I have all of my teammates, coaches and family supporting me to help keep my head on straight."

Jordan has done a very thorough job of feeling out the programs recruiting him and has taken several unofficial visits.

"It's so important because at the end of the day my parents aren't going to be there," said Jordan. "I have to find a place that I'm comfortable and feel like home."

According to Jordan he has been to Wisconsin four or five times and he likes what he sees in Madison.

"They have a great coaching staff and Madison is a great city to be in," said Jordan of Wisconsin. "The basketball game when I went up there was live."

John Groce and the Illini have made Jordan a priority.

"They have taken a hard approach and I like that," said Jordan. "I like colleges showing how much they want or need me. Down there is good people, the basketball games are good and I like everything about Champaign."

More recently, the Hoosiers have been getting aggressive in Jordan's recruitment.

"Indiana has been on me really hard too," said Jordan. "I've been talking to coach Buckley and Coach Crean a lot more. I definitely want to get back up there for a game when the Big ten season starts."

Jordan wouldn't say which school or schools are his favorites just yet, but he could have a decision in the relatively near future.

"Right now I'm smooth sailing and focused on my high school season," said Jordan. "The colleges are always going to be there and I will keep looking and seeing who is coming to my games and supporting me the most.

"I'll probably make a decision towards the end of this high school season and maybe sooner."

Eric Bossi is the national basketball recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. You can click here to follow him on Twitter.

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