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Klee's Corner - June 29

Posted by: Paul Klee

Sunday, June 29, 2008 12:38 AM

Klee's Corner, a full page of Illinois basketball coverage in the offseason, publishes every Sunday in the News-Gazette. For the entire Corner, including Gene Pingatore and Robert Smith's thoughts on a Derrick Rose-vs.-Isiah Thomas debate, go to http://news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/.

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KLEE'S CORNER

WHAT THEY SAID
"He's put himself at the top of the list in the state of Illinois in his class (2009). Who else out there, in his class in Illinois, is going to demand a McDonald's spot? He's the only one. Our goal is to continue to promote Brandon for the McDonald's All-American team and as a Parade All-American, because we think he's capable of that."
-AAU coach Dickey Simpkins, who runs Team NLP, on Illinois recruit Brandon Paul

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WHAT I'M HEARING
(In this corner I believe almost everything I hear)
- Illinois recruit JOSEPH BERTRAND will begin the July evaluation period at the RBK U tournament in Philadelphia from July 6-10, Illinois Wolves coach MIKE MULLINS said. Then it's off to Minneapolis (July 12-15), Las Vegas (July 22-26, coinciding with DERON WILLIAMS' Olympic training sessions) and Phoenix (July 27-29).

- Another Illinois recruiting interest, Rock Island sophomore CHASSON RANDLE, will play with the Illinois Wolves in four July events. The class of 2011 prospect is at RBK U in Philadelphia (July 6-10), Best of the Midwest in Indianapolis (July 13-15) and Las Vegas (July 22-26).

- Randle, who is receiving considerable interest from Purdue, among others, could be in line for a scholarship offer from Illinois in the next month or so.

- Illinois recruit BRANDON PAUL also has a packed schedule playing with Team NLP. AAU coach DICKEY SIMPKINS said Paul's squad is at the Hoosier Shootout in Indianapolis (July 6-9), Chicago Summer Classic (July 9-11) and a pair of events in Orlando at the end of July. "I want them to get as much exposure as possible," Simpkins said.

- Here's a possibility to keep an eye on: Simpkins, the former Chicago Bulls forward, believes the late-blooming Paul can be a McDonald's All-American. Simpkins said Paul's performance at the NBA Top 100 camp last week should help his cause. "He played well in front of BOB GIBBONS," Simpkins said, referring to the recruiting analyst who is on the
McDonald's selection committee.

- Also helping Paul's cause: a relatively weak pool of candidates from the state of Illinois in 2009.

- Twelve McDonald's All-Americans have played at Illinois, most recently DEE BROWN (2002). "He (Paul) was ranked 15th out of the players at the Top 100 camp," Simpkins. "And he's going to continue to blossom. His confidence is growing now. He's going to continue to get better."

- Simpkins' program, Team NLP, is in year two on the AAU circuit. Paul is the headlining prospect, with 2010 standout LENZELLE SMITH joining him in a three-guard lineup. Illinois has extended a scholarship offer to Smith, who is hearing from the likes of Florida, Virginia and Stanford.

- Illinois recruit TYLER GRIFFEY is at the tail end of an extraordinary experience. After playing in a tournament in Africa earlier in the week, Tyler, slowed by a minor groin injury, has averaged about 10-12 points in two games in a tournament in France. The Americans beat Israel and lost to Croatia, said his father, CHRIS GRIFFEY.

- SHAUN PRUITT'S circle is predictably optimistic in regards to a potential roster spot with the New Orleans Hornets. The undrafted center was invited to play with the Hornets on their NBA summer league roster in Las Vegas in July. The Hornets, who did not have a draft pick, have nine players under contract (the league maximum is 15) and up to five unrestricted free agents, so there's room for rookies.

- Agent MIKE NAIDITCH wrote in an email: "Although Shaun is likely disappointed that his hard work did not lead to hearing his name on national TV (during the draft), the end result is that he will have an intimate stage where he has a legitimate chance to become a member of the Hornets, a team, like Shaun, that wasn't given much of a chance."

- Hornets assistant general manager BRIAN HANEY was the central figure in contact with Pruitt's party, Naiditch said.

- Leading up to the draft, BRIAN RANDLE had private workouts with the Atlanta Hawks, a team that has expressed interest in placing him on a summer league roster, the Pacers and the Sonics.

- Given its personnel overhaul, Illinois wants to transition from a slower-paced outfit to a relatively up-tempo scheme next season. However, coaches are going to place an emphasis on taking the correct shot -- not the first shot, because their guards really, really like to shoot.

- Coaches are especially pleased that former Illini star FRANK WILLIAMS has participated in pickup games at the team's practice facility. They believe the presence of an accomplished point guard like Williams is helpful in the development of rising sophomore DEMETRI McCAMEY.

- UI football/basketball player C.J. JACKSON continues to participate in pickup games at Ubben.

- On an overseas tour to Poland in May, Illinois guard ALEX LEGION was offered a contract to play for a European team.

- Former Illini forward RODNEY ALEXANDER said Thursday he likely will reveal his next school in July. All signs point toward Oklahoma City University, an NAIA powerhouse, where Alexander currently resides and would be eligible to play immediately.

- Several Illinois officials empathized with former Indiana athletic director RICK GREENSPAN, who resigned Thursday. The prevailing sentiment in UI circles is that Greenspan was not the central figure behind the hiring of KELVIN SAMPSON.

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WHAT I'M READING
(Headlines, deadlines and the best lines)
Brian Carlwell, a 6-foot-11, 265-pound center who has spent the past two years at Illinois, said that he is transferring to (San Diego State).
-San Diego Union-Tribune

A former area coach and Indiana University graduate said the Hoosiers men's basketball program is at an all-time low after additional NCAA charges Thursday and the subsequent resignation of athletic director Rick Greenspan.
-Indianapolis Star

With USA Basketball selection Greg Oden in town Saturday, it got us thinking: Could Deron Williams one day be an Olympian?
-The News-Gazette (Jan. 7, 2007)

So we asked the director of USA Basketball, Jerry Colangelo. "I see that as a very distinct possibility," Colangelo said. "I do see him, not necessarily in this (three-year) cycle, it might be the next cycle. But definitely, I see him fitting in in the future."
-The News-Gazette (Jan. 7, 2007)

If he looked to his left at Monday's news conference, Deron Williams could find side-by-side pictures of himself and John Stockton in their blue USA Basketball jerseys.
-Salt Lake Tribune

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WHAT I'M THINKING
(Opinions and random thoughts)
- I'm thinking the transfer of BRIAN CARLWELL to San Diego State puts to rest one of the most tumultuous tenures for an Illinois basketball player. I remember his eye-opening first day of practice, and BRUCE WEBER'S comments that Illinois rarely has featured a player with Carlwell's shot-blocking ability. And I remember sitting in the lobby at Carle Foundation Hospital, watching teammates leave his room the morning after a tragic car accident, an event that unfortunately will define a brief stay in C-U.

- Truthfully, I was mildly surprised B.C. chose to continue his college career. During a conversation late last season, Carlwell reminded me that he didn't begin playing basketball until high school, and only because others told him, "You're tall, so you should play." Before he left the UI, he told at least one teammate that he wasn't certain if he would continue to play, or simply focus on school and earn a degree.

- I'm thinking I hope Brian Carlwell enjoys a turmoil-less final three seasons of college basketball. Huge personality, that one.

- I'm thinking it's interesting that USA Basketball will hold its July 21-24 training sessions at a tiny high school gymnasium in Las Vegas. Valley High School is the same intimate setting where No. 1 Illinois played No. 17 Cincinnati in 2004.

- Looking for the RODNEY STUCKEY of the 2008 NBA draft? I'm thinking it's Courtney Lee, taken by the Magic at No. 23. A mid-major product with big-time talent, joining a roster that can afford to be patient in his rookie season.

- I'm thinking Illinois strengthened its ties with star recruit JEREME RICHMOND in June. In a span of 18 days, he attended two Illinois team camps and joined CRANDALL HEAD on a visit late last week.

- In ambush terms, the Illini have surrounded the 16-year-old with orange-and-blue influences: the Richmonds are big fans of fellow 2010 recruit Crandall Head, his parents left a conversation with UI coaches in early June with high praise for their efforts, his high school coach (Waukegan's RON ASHLAW) gushed about BRUCE WEBER'S helping hand in the Ashlaw-Richmond relationship, his AAU coach (Joy of the Game's BRIAN DAVIS) is a former Illinois football player, and JERRANCE HOWARD'S July itinerary includes every one of Richmond's AAU games.

- What does it all mean? Decommitment rumors, substantiated or not, will swirl until the November, 2009, signing period. Such is life in the post-E.J. Gordon era. But Illinois is covering all the bases in regards to securing its prized recruits.

***

WHAT'S HAPPENING
(Cleaning out the notebook)
- Things are looking up for BILL COLE, who turned 19 on June 12. He was cleared in May after a knee injury plagued his freshman season, and he's been playing in pickup games at Ubben for most of June. Cole, who's now 6-foot-9, 215 pounds, said he's no longer receiving treatment on the knee.

- "It's back to 100 percent," Cole said of the knee. "It feels a lot better now that you can go 100 percent every play. You don't have to worry about running hard. You can actually hustle. Toward the first part of when I had to sit out, I couldn't even go two or three plays in a row. I had to walk down the other end of the floor. So that's good."

- Cole said he realized the severity of the knee injury while going through a layup line in a game at Michigan State. His spirits were lifted in the past month as he attempts to regain the form that led BRUCE WEBER to indicate last October that Cole was in the conversation for a starting spot. "Yeah, I remember that," Cole said. "If I can just do what I did last year in the first couple practices and show the staff what I can do, what I bring to the table, they'll have the same evaluation they did last year at that time."

- The power forward slot appears to be the biggest positional question mark heading into next season. Cole is in the mix for minutes, along with at least three other players. "I think we'll be deep," Cole said. "We can keep adjusting, cause mismatches. I think we'll be able to defend with the best of them next year. We have a lot of versatile big guys to hold down
the spot. I think we'll be okay."

- Peoria invaded Ubben Basketball Complex on Wednesday. In attendance: Cole, JAMAR SMITH and former Illini FRANK WILLIAMS and SERGIO McCLAIN. Williams scrimmaged with the current Illini, and, even after numerous appearances, that remains a big deal to the current players. "In Peoria he's pretty much a legend," Cole said.

- Cole wears No. 30, but not because Williams wore No. 30. "It's funny because all my friends, they were trying to get No. 30 (Illinois) jerseys since he was No. 30 when he was here," Cole said. "So now there's a bunch of bootleg Billy Cole jerseys back home." With a typically dry sense of humor, Cole deadpanned, "I'm definitely taking credit for those
(jerseys)."

- Cole wore No. 42 in high school -- "That's what my dad wore at (Peoria) Richwoods" -- and said he reverted to No. 30, his elementary school number, when he arrived at Illinois. "Brian Randle had 42 when I got here," he said.

- Another sport has consumed Cole's attention in July. "I've been watching the Euro soccer (championship)," he said. When he's forced to miss a match on ESPN, "I DVR it so I can watch it later." He was rooting for a Spain-Germany final, and got his wish when Spain beat Russia on Thursday to move into today's championship against the German side. "I hope Spain wins," he said. "I like watching (Spanish striker) FERNANDO TORRES."

- The soccer interest stems from Cole's days on a club team in grade school. "I played defense, right back," he said, before foregoing a soccer career in favor of football, then basketball. "I was pretty good," he said. "Yeah, I was nice."

- The newest Illini, junior DOMINIQUE KELLER and freshman STAN SIMPSON, are off-limits from media interviews until the end of the summer, a decision made by the coaching staff, according to the UI sports information office.

- Keller, a 6-foot-7 forward, has had a daily presence at Ubben, scrimmaging with his new teammates and interacting with coaches. "We've been hard on him right from the beginning," Weber said. "We've explained to him that if you're going to play, and you're going to be successful, you're going to have to use the next six months to make the progress. He has to play both ends of the court, he has to play hard all the time, he has to take care of business in the classroom, all of those things. I think he understands it."

- Since NCAA rules prohibit coaches from supervising summer pickup games, Weber said he's leaning on the players to provide basketball guidance for Keller. "If the guys say, 'He's better near the bucket, he's not a great three-point shooter, I say, 'You guys have to tell him. Not only me, but you've got to tell him," Weber said.

- During Keller's recruitment, coaches were straightforward in telling Keller they wanted a forward who would rebound and defend. "The thing is, we don't need him to take a lot of shots," Weber said.

- Future Olympian DERON WILLIAMS mirrored the sentiments of former teammate DEE BROWN when asked what has been missing from the Illinois program over the past two seasons. "They've got to get that swagger back," Williams said in an interview.

- The announcement that Williams was named to the U.S. Olympic roster stirred a buzz in UI basketball circles much of last week.

- Illinois had zero input in terms of the selection, but Weber had spoken to USA Basketball coaches MIKE KRZYZEWSKI and JIM BOEHEIM over the past year, and USA Basketball managing director JERRY COLANGELO, a UI alum, had conversed with athletics director RON GUENTHER. "A year ago they said it was a no-brainer," Weber said of Williams' selection, citing CHRIS PAUL'S MVP-caliber season and CHAUNCEY BILLUPS' availability as factors that could have swayed the decision.

- And yes, Illinois is going to milk the Olympics selection in recruiting efforts. "We'll have the USA jersey out and his picture everywhere," Weber said. "Any time you can promote Illinois basketball -- and they're going to say, Deron Williams from the University of Illinois and the Utah Jazz -- it's good for us. It's a good recruiting tool, it's good to sell the program. And then Deron has had a very positive attitude toward our program. He's been very positive about our program. All of that helps."

***

WHAT'S ON TAP
July 6-15: Evaluation period for college coaches and prep prospects.
July 21-24: USA Basketball training sessions in Las Vegas. BRUCE WEBER
said he hopes to attend the July 21 session, as he'll be in Las Vegas on a
recruiting swing.
July 22-31: Evaluation period.

***

THE LIST
As expected, three Big Ten players were selected in the NBA draft -- so what's left? Enough to give the impression the 2008-09 standings will mirror 2007-08: strong at the top, followed by a radical drop-off. Here is a (very) early projection of the Big Ten next season:
1. Purdue - At least one NBA scout believes sophomore JaJuan Johnson has most potential as a pro
2. Michigan State - Watch for freshman Delvon Roe, who could help MSU to first Big Ten title since 2001
3. Wisconsin - Senior Marcus Landry on our All-Big Ten ballot last season, returns as POY candidate
4. Ohio State - Evan Turner's high school and AAU coaches said he's NBA-bound after college
5. Illinois - Kentucky transfer Alex Legion showed surprising burst with rare dunk in scrimmage
6. Minnesota - When Gophers meet Illini, it will be 10th anniversary of their most recent win in series
7. Michigan - Sophomore Manny Harris returns as leading candidate for Big Ten scoring title
8. Penn State - After the No. 6 slot it gets dicey -- both in terms of projections and quality of teams
9. Northwestern - Somewhat quietly, Bill Carmody's staff putting together solid recruiting classes
10. Iowa - That Todd Lickliter manufactured six conference wins last season a relative accomplishment
11. Indiana - With one returning scholarship player, IU's single-season record for losses (17) in trouble

THE NUMBER
3.8 - The GPA required to earn Distinguished Academic All-American status from the National Junior College Athletic Association, an honor awarded to Central product Andrew Chisholm, a sophomore point guard at Lincoln Land Community College last season who has been working out at Ubben in hopes of joining the Illinois roster as a walk-on

-For the rest of Klee's Corner, go to http://news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/.

Klee
pklee@news-gazette.com

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