Interest in Scheyer Growing

While Julian Wright was the headlining name at the Peach Jam, his class of 2006 teammate Jon Scheyer came up with some big shots of his own at the loaded event. The 6-foot-5, 180-pound shooting guard from Glenbrook North in Northbrook, Ill., was key in the Illinois Warriors program run to the title game. Major college coaches were on hand to see him in action along the way, too.

Scheyer lived up to his reputation as an elite scoring guard, especially when his Illinois Warriors needed a big shot. The team could not have won the Peach Jam had it not been for Scheyer’s keen shooting in late game situations. He connected on 17 of 32 shots from three point land and only missed one free throw in the entire tournament. That kind of pressure is right up his alley.

“I love pressure. I mean, I just love it,” Scheyer says with a sly smile. “If the game is on the line, I would hope I’m the guy that can step up and hit that shot or if they send the defense at me, I hope to find the open man and kick it out. I love that kind of stuff.”

His high school head coach Dave Weber said he’s not surprised by Scheyer’s gamesmanship.

“The thing that separates him the most is the fact that he is the most complete player I’ve been able to coach,” Weber said. “He’s a level ahead of anyone. He’s mature enough to play in college right now. When it gets to tight situations, he’ll do whatever it takes to win. That’s what I mean by mature.”

And maybe that is why several schools have been hot on his trail.

The class of 2006 prospect was at Duke’s elite camp last month. While at the camp, Scheyer came home with more than an intimate time with the coaching staff.

“They offered me when I was at Duke,” Scheyer said. “That’s pretty nice. They’ve shown a lot of interest in me and that’s pretty cool.”

His connections run deep to the Blue Devils. Although Scheyer is the star at Glenbrook North High School right now, he’s not the first national recruit or Duke target to play there. Current Blue Devils assistant coach Chris Collins graduated from the Chicago suburb school.

His ties also run deep to other programs, too. His high school coach is the brother of Illinois head coach Bruce Weber while Scheyer’s father played baseball with Cal head coach Ben Braun in college.

“It’s more exciting than anything,” he said of the attention from all of the schools involved in his recruitment. “These days, you can only look forward and focus on basketball but in the back of my mind, I’m definitely excited.”

Scheyer said Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, California, Michigan State and Marquette are also recruiting him. Weber said one school stands out the most in terms of showing the most interest.

“I’d have to say (Illinois is) the most active right now,” Weber said. “They’ve spent so much time building a relationship with him.”

With all of the attention, Scheyer, and his coach, say there is no rush to make a decision right away.

“I think he’ll sit down at the end of the summer and look around to get a good idea of what to expect for next year,” Weber said.

Scheyer averaged 25 points, six rebounds and five assists while shooting 92% from the free throw line, 47% from the field and 32% behind the three-point line as a sophomore.

The sweet stroking rising junior will help his Illinois Warriors defend their Peach Jam title at the AAU Super Showcase in Orlando, Fla., this weekend. Rivals.com will be on hand from the first tip-off to the championship game. Stay logged on for exclusive updates from the event.