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Klee's Corner....

Posted by: Paul Klee

Monday, July 14, 2008 12:35 AM

Klee's Corner, a full page of Illinois basketball coverage in the offseason, publishes every Sunday in the News-Gazette. Go here for the entire Corner: http://news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/.

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WHAT THEY SAID
"They changed one of the (entry) codes (to an inside room at the practice facility) to 16-19. So every time we go in there we're reminded of last season." - Illinois junior Alex Legion

WHAT I'M THINKING
(Klee's Random Thoughts)
- I'm thinking the date of the NBA preseason game between the Bulls and Jazz at the Assembly Hall will be Oct. 17. That's a Friday, the day before Illinois football hosts Indiana at Memorial Stadium.

- In a twist, those who thought DERRICK ROSE would play at the Assembly Hall were correct after all. And though it's an exhibition game, I'm thinking a DERON WILLIAMS-DERRICK ROSE matchup is an October treat for area fans whose NBA options are usually limited to TNT and ESPN.

- Odd stat of the day: By my count, it will mark the third time in four years that a pair of top-five draft picks will take the court in the same game at the Assembly Hall. DERON WILLIAMS and Wake Forest's CHRIS PAUL clashed in December, 2004; Ohio State's GREG ODEN and MIKE CONLEY came to C-U in January, 2007. And only two pure point guards have been top-three selections in the last four NBA drafts: Williams and Rose.

- I'm thinking the power forward position in Illinois' lineup is entirely up for grabs. BILL COLE, MIKE DAVIS and DOMINIQUE KELLER, the leading candidates, each bring a type of game that is unique to the others. Unless one player emerges, you could see a power-forward-by-committee situation, where playing time is based on matchups. "We're all trying to get that 4-5 spot," Davis said.

- I'm still thinking DEMETRI McCAMEY is going to be a star. Overlooked, to this point, has been CHESTER FRAZIER'S role in McCamey's development. The senior is a positive influence who also makes it difficult for other guards to take it easy on the court.

- I'm thinking Las Vegas is about to morph into Champaign-Urbana West. In the latter half of this month, it's possible that at least four former Illini will be in Sin City for the NBA Summer League (DEE BROWN, Wizards; SHAUN PRUITT, Hornets; FRANK WILLIAMS, Hornets) and USA Basketball training sessions (DERON WILLIAMS).

- I'm thinking BRUCE WEBER has spoken to USA Basketball about attending at least one of Williams' practice sessions. The timing is ideal for Weber, who was scheduled in Las Vegas on a recruiting swing.

- I'm thinking the dramatic reversal of fortunes for Illinois' recruiting has never been more evident than during this July evaluation period. This time last year, the only prospect committed to Illinois in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 recruiting classes was JEREME RICHMOND. That made for anxious times as the UI coaching staff attended various AAU events with little to show for it. One year later, the coaches have focused on watching their six committed prospects while targeting younger players, specifically those in the 2011 class. "It's better than the other way," Weber said Friday after an AAU event in Chicago.

WHAT I'M READING
(Headlines, deadlines and the best lines)
Brandon Jennings does not have to wait for a test score - he is going to Europe. Arizona's coveted recruit will become the first elite American player to bypass college and play professionally in Europe, his lawyer said late Tuesday.
-Arizona Daily Star

"It's a situation now that if someone's 'one-and-done,' we're not going to pursue them anymore, no way," (Arizona coach Lute) Olson said from his Tucson office.
-Los Angeles Times

(Tom) Crean calls (Tom) Izzo his "best friend," and someone who has helped him through a challenging transition since being hired at Indiana in April.
-Detroit News

UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero was appointed the chairman of the Division I men's basketball committee. Following formal approval in 2009 by the NCAA's championships/competition cabinet, Guerrero will begin his term Sept. 1, 2009, and oversee selections for the 2010 tournament.
-Los Angeles Daily News

WHAT I'M HEARING
(And putting in print)
- Illinois junior ALEX LEGION went through a stretch recently where his shot wasn't falling. He approached BRUCE WEBER, who asked him, "Are you coming in extra (time)?" Legion then upped his workout load and snapped out of the brief funk.

- The lob pass, preferably finished by a layup or a dunk, could become a bigger part of Illinois' offense next season. Three players -- DEMETRI McCAMEY, JAMAR SMITH and CHESTER FRAZIER -- excel in throwing the lob.

- One player who's hardly noticed the deeper three-point line, which was extended from 19 feet, 9 inches, to 20 feet, 9 inches: McCamey. "I always try to step back a foot or two anyway," McCamey deadpanned. "But I don't think it's a big deal."

- Demetri's younger brother, DeANDRE McCAMEY, had knee surgery in May. A junior at Westchester St. Joseph's, DeAndre is hoping to be back for the high school season, though he might be sidelined until January, Demetri said. "We're just making sure he takes it (the recovery) one step at a time," Demetri said.

- Illinois recruit JEREME RICHMOND was a standout performer at the LeBRON JAMES Skills Academy last week in Akron, with BRUCE WEBER and JERRANCE HOWARD in attendance. "I think Richmond is easily the best prospect that coach Weber has committed. I think he has a chance to be really good," said Scout.com recruiting analyst Evan Daniels. "He played really well against some of the nation's best (in Akron). At least based on his performance at LeBron, I just don't see any reason why he won't be one of the best players nationally in his class."

- When Illinois recruit BRANDON PAUL was without an invitation to the LeBron camp, his family was prepared to drive to Akron in case there was a no-show. A last-minute invitation arrived, and the Warren senior made the most of it, Daniels said. That made two invitations for Paul this summer: the NBA Top 100 camp in Virginia and the LeBron James Skills Academy. "He has deep range and was really consistent at the NBA camp," Daniels said. "At LeBron, his athleticism was especially impressive. He more than held his own."

- Multiple recruiting analysts said Paul has the most star potential of Illinois' four recruits in 2009. "That 2009 class for Illinois is starting to shape up as a pretty good one," Daniels said. "When you throw in (2010) recruits CRANDALL HEAD and JEREME RICHMOND, Illinois is looking to get back to when they were in the Final Four."

- Though he usually plays AAU ball with Team NLP, Paul joined LARRY BUTLER and Illinois Warriors in the Nike Peach Jam that began Saturday in Augusta, S.C.

- The best player at the invitation-only LeBron camp? "John Henson, a (2009) kid going to North Carolina, was just tremendous," Daniels said.

- The Scout.com analyst said another LeBron camper with Illinois ties was on the short list of standouts: "Harrison Barnes out of Ames, Iowa. He was terrific," Daniels said. A 6-foot-6 small forward in the class of 2010, Barnes has a scholarship offer from Illinois. The competition for his commitment will be fierce and probably include the likes of Duke.

- Barnes is an intriguing prospect, if for no other reason than his varied interests. "He plays the (saxophone)," Daniels said.

- Illinois' interest in 2010 prospect MEYERS LEONARD, a 6-foot-11 junior-to-be from Robinson, a two-hour drive from C-U, is rising. The Illini could use a big man to round out their 2010 recruiting class. "He's got a motor on him. He's got a body that's going to be fill out," Daniels said of Leonard, who visited the UI in June. "I think he's got a chance to be one of the better bigs in that class."

- Illinois recruit JOSEPH BERTRAND continues to show flashes of brilliance, mixed with stretches of passiveness. An example: at an AAU event in Philadelphia last week, Bertrand erupted for nine points in two minutes, then played 14 minutes with four points. If Bertrand puts it together, one AAU coach noted, he could be the best four-year player in
Illinois' 2009 recruiting class. But he's tough to peg at this point.

- How's this for a travel itinerary: During the first leg of the July evaluation period, BRUCE WEBER was in Akron, Philadelphia, Chicago, Louisville and Augusta, S.C., with stops in between.

WHAT'S HAPPENING
(The scoop, cleaning out the notebook)
- That the Washington Wizards extended an offer sheet to DEE BROWN is a telling indication the Wizards are serious about adding the former Illini to their roster, his agent said. "They were willing to make a financial commitment," said HENRY THOMAS, president of CSMG Sports.

- The offer sheet was for a two-year, partially guaranteed contract. It does not guarantee Brown a roster spot. Still, "He's very optimistic," Thomas said. "He's looking forward to playing in the summer league and proving to them that he belongs."

- Washington Post beat writer IVAN CARTER, who covers the Wizards, also believes Brown is a practical fit for the Wizards. "They have a need for a third point guard type," Carter said. "A quick guy who can push the ball, a guy who can pressure defensively. I think he has a chance of making it. I know (Wizards coach EDDIE JORDAN) has wanted a guy like that the last couple years."

- Washington's point guard position appears stable, though GILBERT ARENAS is coming off knee surgery and ANTONIO DANIELS turned 33 in March. "Some of those smaller, quicker backup point guards have given them problems," Carter said. "Guys like (Charlotte's) EARL BOYKINS, those kinds of guys. That's why I think he's (Brown) got a shot."

- Illinois coach BRUCE WEBER said the Wizards contacted him about a week ago in regards to Brown. "They said they were looking for someone like Dee; a change-of-pace kind of guy with some speed," Weber said. "Maybe he brings something they don't have. Obviously it's a great opportunity for Dee. Hopefully he can go in there and make an impact and show them he belongs. If they're going to put money on the table ahead of time you have
to think they like him and they're serious about it."

- Illinois sophomore MIKE DAVIS arrived in August last year, so this is his first summer of pickup games and conditioning at Illinois. "I just came in last year at 195 with no (history of) lifting," said Davis, who's about 210 pounds. "And then the season started right away, so I couldn't really gain weight. Now I've gained weight. Hopefully by next year I'll be about 215, 220."

- Asked what part of his game has his focus, Davis had a simple reply. "Rebounding. Rebounding," he said. "Me and MIKE (TISDALE) down low, and DOMINIQUE (KELLER) down low, we're probably going to be the rebounders. So we've got to be aggressive and crash the boards."

- Illinois sophomore ALEX LEGION injured the thumb on his shooting hand while home in Detroit, but he returned to playing pickup games Thursday. "It's nothing serious," he said.

- For Legion, the waiting is the hardest part. By the time he's eligible to play for Illinois -- probably just before Christmas -- it will have been over a year before he's played in a college game. "I just can't wait to get out there," he said.

- Just as it was during the spring semester, Weber said Legion won't be able to able to travel with the team until he's eligible.

- Not surprising because he was sidelined last eason, a list of the 10 premier three-point shooters on ESPN.com did not include JAMAR SMITH. That didn't deter Legion, who's played against and often defended Smith since Legion arrived at Illinois in January. "I think he's one of the five best shooters in the country," Legion said.

- Illinois strength and conditioning coach JIMMY PRICE designs unique workout plans for players in the offseason. Generally speaking, players focused on weight gain and strength -- "Guys like Mike Tisdale and Mike Davis," Price said -- usually will lift weights four times a week. "Guys like CHESTER (FRAZIER), who are where they need to be physically, are going to have a different program because their needs are different," Price said. So Frazier lifts thrice weekly.

WHAT'S NEXT
Friday-July 20: NBA Summer League, Las Vegas.
Tuesday: End of the early July evaluation period, where coaches watch high school prospects.
Wednesday-July 21: Dead period for recruiting.
July 22-31: Late July evaluation period.
July 21-24: USA Basketball training sessions, Las Vegas.

THE LIST
NBA summer leagues are the proving grounds for professional hopefuls. Here's an update with five former Illini and where they stand:
1. BRIAN RANDLE, Oklahoma City - For the team formerly known as the Sonics, Randle appeared in four of five games and averaged 4.5 points on 7-for-11 shooting
2. JAMES AUGUSTINE, Magic - Through four games in the Orlando summer league, third-year pro averaged 8.3 points, the same as teammate KEVIN KRUGER
3. SHAUN PRUITT, Hornets - The former Illini center began play Saturday in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas; He's teammates with FRANK WILLIAMS
4. WARREN CARTER, N/A - His agency had talks with the Mavs about joining their summer league roster, Bruce Weber said; As of Saturday he wasn't on a roster
5. FRANK WILLIAMS, Hornets - This might be the final shot at NBA stability for Williams, who likely will return to Italy if he doesn't find a home on an NBA roster

THE NUMBER
1 - Congratulatory text message sent from DEMETRI McCAMEY, a former St. Joe's standout, to DERRICK ROSE, a former Simeon star, on the night of the NBA draft, when Rose was selected No. 1 overall by the Chicago Bulls

-For the rest of Klee's Corner -- a conversation with Illinois recruit TYLER GRIFFEY on his tour of Europe and Africa -- go here: http://news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/.

Klee
pklee@news-gazette.com