Two Big Ten Schools Battle For Pruitt

It is likely that Shaun Pruitt will spend his college basketball days playing in the Big Ten Conference, but he has not decided what school he will play for. The 6-foot-8, 220-pound power forward West Aurora High School in Aurora, IL., has already unofficially visited Michigan State and will spend a few days on the Illinois campus, as his unofficial visits begins on Thursday.

“I’m taking an unofficial visit to Illinois in a few days. I’ll be gone Thursday and Friday, so that will give me a couple of days to see the campus,” Pruitt said. “I really want to see what the practices are like at Illinois.

“I wanted to have a decision about a school before my senior year started, but it doesn’t look like that will happen,” he added. “There is a chance that I might officially visit Michigan State and Illinois in the fall, but I have not decided yet. I will end my recruitment when I feel I’ve made the best decision.”

While Pruitt did admit that Illinois and Michigan State are his favorites, they are not the only schools being considered. Should something fall through with either school, he has other options.

“I really feel that I’ll play for Illinois or Michigan State, but if something does happen and neither of those schools are an option, Indiana and Marquette are two schools that I really like,” Pruitt said.

There was a time when Pruitt had indicated that he might take an official visit to Arizona, but he has decided that will only prolong his decision, so the Wildcats are no longer being considered.

Rivals.com ranks Pruitt No. 76 on the Rivals150 list and the 19th best power forward in the class of 2004.