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D.J. Richardson lifts ACT score

Posted by: Paul Klee

Thursday, January 8, 2009 6:49 PM

Illinois recruit D.J. Richardson received some good news today. In turn, so did the Illini.

The former Peoria Central standout transferred to a Las Vegas-area prep school to increase his odds of becoming academically eligible to play at Illinois as a freshman. He got his ACT score today after taking the test in December.

"I got a 19," Richardson said tonight. "The ACT class I was taking came in handy. "

Richardson notified the Illinois coaches, who, no doubt, were pleased with the news. He wasn't certain what score he needed, but the 19 was a noteworthy improvement of his previous score. The improved ACT score doesn't guarantee he will qualify under initial eligibility requirements, though it figures to go a ways toward accomplishing that goal under the NCAA's sliding scale.

Shortly before Christmas, a rare snow in the Las Vegas area delayed final exams and the release of first-semester grades at Findlay Prep, Richardson said.

"They haven't really balanced it out yet, (the test score) with my semester grades from the first semester," Richardson said. "I feel pretty good about it, though."

Richardson's Findlay Prep squad, ranked No. 2 nationally in the USA Today Super 25, hosts Eldorado (Nev.) High School tonight. Through 14 games, Richardson is averaging 11.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals for Findlay (14-0).

"I'm doing a lot of stuff besides scoring," Richardson said. "I'm defending pretty well and getting my teammates involved."

- Today's notes on Illinois-Indiana and Verdell Jones' return to C-U: Click here.

pklee@news-gazette.com

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