Moderator: Good afternoon everyone, thanks for coming by for another Illinois basketball chat. I'll be here for about an hour.

Jeff Jordan won't be returning to the basketball team. Here's what Jeff said in a press release a few minutes ago:

"I loved playing for the Fighting Illini and appreciate the support I was given by my teammates, coaches and the great fans here. But I have come to the point where I'm ready to focus on life after basketball. I will concentrate on earning my degree from the University of Illinois and the opportunities that await upon graduating."

Best of luck to him. He was a pleasure to cover the past two seasons.

Klee

Cameron, River Forest , Illinois: Which basketball recruit does Illinois need to get in 2011 to be a final four contender? Also, what are your thoughts of Nnana Egwu?

Moderator: Cameron- I don’t think there’s one guy that turns Illinois into a Final Four contender. Except for Jereme Richmond. He has that potential, and he’s already in the fold.

“I can’t wait” to sign a letter of intent in November, Richmond told me Monday.

If there is one type of player that Illinois could really use, it’s a Jeff Adrien-, Joey Dorsey-type of forward, a guy that bullies other guys. I thought Jack Cooley could have been that guy. There doesn’t appear to be anyone in the state in 2011 – or otherwise – that fits that type of mold. But you never know. One could come along.

As for Nnana Egwu, I’m more impressed after watching him Monday. He’s promising. In one game he hit three 15-foot jumpers with a nice high release. And he’s a listener and a learner and welcomes coaching, so you figure he’s going to get better. Doesn’t hurt that Nnana is going to receive coaching from Rich Kehoe and Mike Mullins, who both see the potential in Egwu.

One Big Ten assistant – not from Illinois – dropped a JaJuan Johnson comparison on me. After watching Egwu on Monday, I can see where he was coming from. The kid’s got a ways to go, just like Johnson did in high school.

Klee

larry harnly , springfield, il: Other than Eric Gordon, who is the one basketball player from Illinois that the Illini failed to land and would help the most now?

Moderator: Larry- E.J. Gordon was always going to be a one-and-done guy. That was the understanding, had he attended Illinois. But to answer your question: Evan Turner. No question. Klee

michael, melvin, IL: does dee brown plan on resigning with maccabi or trying out for the nba again this summer?

Moderator: Michael- Jerrance Howard tells me his close friend will attempt to land on an NBA summer league roster in July. Hopefully I can get in touch with him soon to hear of his plans. He’s also hosting a fundraiser in Rochester on Saturday. For more information on the event check out Klee’s Corner from last weekend.

Klee

Jim, Mahomet, Il: What is the truth to the rumor that Jordon is not returning for next year?

Moderator: Jim- Apparently, Jeff Jordan decided he wants to pursue a life after basketball and focus on the future. Doesn't surprise me. He's not like most 20-year-olds, as you might suspect. He has other options. Bruce Weber told me Jeff spent part of May on an internship with Nike and would return to the internship later in the summer. So Illinois knew this was coming.

I can appreciate what Jeff Jordan is doing and how he operates. He knows his future wasn't on the basketball court. Like I said earlier, no one knew what to expect when Jeff Jordan let everyone know he was walking on at Illinois. But he was one of the most accessible players on the team and never turned down an interview request. Not an easy thing when there are as many interview requests as he received.

This decision doesn't really alter the UI playing rotation. He was likely going to be a situational defender, especially with the influx of three guards.

Klee

Bob, Champaign, IL: Klee, What do you think about the recent scholarship offer to Jabari Parker?

Moderator: Bob- I think Illinois followed it up with offers to classmates Alex Foster and Tommy Hamilton Jr. Those are three guys that have yet to attend a high school class but have college scholarship offers.

I think all three guys could be very good, mainly because they seem to have great support systems around them, and that’s half the battle. They're not as good right now as, say, Jereme Richmond was at the same time, but the potential is evident.

Klee

Chuck , Champaign , Ill: Hello Paul. Of all the Illini basketball assistant coaches; who appears to be the most interested in obtaining a head coaching position. Who appears to be the closest to achieving this? Thanks.

Moderator: Chuck- It's a good question. In the last few months I've asked all three coaches if they're still interested in becoming a head coach. All three said yes. With the attention Jerrance Howard has received from other programs in recent months, he would be the most likely to earn that nod. But you never know. Some programs value experience, and Wayne McClain and Jay Price have much more than Jerrance.

The UI staff is in a good place at the moment. They complement each other.

Klee

MR, Chicago, IL: Paul,

The 2013 offers aside, did you find out anything new about our potential recruits in the 2011 class?

Is Sam Thompson injured? He was on the Young bench at the team camp, but he was in street clothes.

Also, what was the deal with those two IU buttheads? Pretty brazen to be wearing Air Gordon shirts and peacocking around, trying to get attention.

Thanks.

Moderator: MR- Sure, lots. Wrote how Nnana Egwu is not, in fact, close to a college decision, as some had said. He told me he probably won't decide for another 14 months. That could change, of course, but that's what he said.

I saw once again how Tracy Abrams can dominate a game from the point guard position. I saw again why Jereme Richmond is the best prospect in the state since Derrick Rose. I don't think Dre Henley will be back at De La Salle and I'm not convinced Mike Shaw will be, either. As for Sam Thompson, he had some sort of foot or ankle injury and didn't compete with Young. I don't see Illinois being a serious player for Thompson - at this time! - though that could change, of course. There was some other stuff. I love the Moody event.

Didn't see the Air Gordon folks.

Klee

iLLini_Dan, Madison, WI: Hi Paul,

Two questions. First, do you know any of the non-BCS teams (besides Gonzaga) that Illinois will play in the non-conference schedule?

Second, given that Mike Tisdale has so far been primarily only an offensive asset and a liability on defense and rebounding, and with a longer group of guards, could you see Illinois starting Keller instead of Tisdale if Dom steps up his defense and rebounding? I thought that Keller was playing pretty good ball at year end.

Moderator: Dan- It's going to take a big push from Keller to nudge Mike Tisdale from the starting lineup. Bruce Weber was complimentary of the way Tisdale performed in Colorado Springs last week and he was a big reason Illinois led the Big Ten in assists last season. That little 10- to 12-foot jumper is an asset in the motion offense. He has to rebound better, no doubt about that. Another question is who among the guards will take over for Chester Frazier's 5-rebounds-per game. I think D.J. Richardson can be a 5-rebounds-per game guard from the get-go.

Klee

Jay Cutler , Denver , CO: Based on recent but limited news about the new recruits on campus, how do you currently see the depth chart shaking out? I know its early and they are just pick up games but there has to be some trends already showing up.

Moderator: IDKWTI- Good to see you last week in Chicago. Actually it was painful, and best of luck with those receivers. Yes I remain bitter about The Trade.

To your question: I’m the only media guy that’s watched pickup games, but that was last week and Illinois has said I can’t watch pickup games until further notice. After watching them twice last week I came away impressed with Joseph Bertrand and Stan Simpson, specifically. Bertrand flourishes in the pickup environment, and Simpson was a spirited rebounder. Things will change once Mike Davis returns in late July or August, as well.

But the one thing that stood out was how competitive the games are. There's been a competition-level upgrade. And Brandon Paul threw an alley-oop to Joseph Bertrand, something you haven't witnessed in recent seasons: a guard-to-guard alley-oop.

Klee

Ashu, Gilberts, Il: Paul,

Do you think Rich Semrau will be back for 2010-2011 season?

Moderator: Ash- No, my opinion is that he probably won't be back for a fifth season. Klee

Moderator: Going to take a full timeout, there's someone at the door, be back in five minutes. Klee

Brent, Chicago, IL: I haven't heard anything about Tyler Griffey since he got to campus. How has he looked in scrimmages with the returning players? And how are all the freshmen handling the adjustment to their college classes and lifestyle?

Moderator: Brent- The freshmen are currently off-limits from media interviews. Here's what Bruce Weber told me yesterday about the freshmen:

“It’s only been a week. So we’ll see," Weber said. "Guys get a little bit of homesickness. You’ve got to get through some of that stuff.

"Just in talking to the academic people and Jimmy Price, the weight coach, they’re good listeners. They’re trying to do what they’re supposed to. That’s the most important thing right now, that they’re taking care of business and get in good habits of doing the right thing.”

Klee

Mary Ann, Springfield, Il: In your opinion who would you expect to get Jeff's minutes now that he has decided not to return?

Moderator: Mary Ann- I think it opens minutes for another one of the freshmen. D.J. Richardson was going to play regardless. Brandon Paul and Joseph Bertrand will fight for minutes as well. I don't see any of them redshirting, though that could change. It's only June.

Klee

Andrew, Milwaukee, WI: Bruce Weber still has not had one of his recruits drafted, and tomorrow looks like no exception. In your opinion, is this a lack of proper player development, a poor selection of talent, or a combination of both?

Moderator: Andrew- I think it's a product of poor recruiting for several years after the Final Four run. It's not player development. Guys get better under Weber. The improvements made by Davis and Tisdale are some of the most dramatic I've witnessed in such a brief window.

Klee

Jeff, Champaign, IL: Paul, although a lot of people saw Mike Davis's potential even in his limited minutes as a freshman I don't think anybody expected to make as big of a leap as he did this past season. What's your educated guess for most improved player next season?

Moderator: Jeff- Among the guys that played last season, I'll go with Demetri McCamey. I think he'll benefit as much as anyone by playing with these new guards - in games and in workouts. Klee

John M., Washington, D.C.: Since the recruiting classes of 2009 & 2010 are set, then that makes the class of 2011 critical. Another outstanding class and it might be National Championship time. So who do you expect will be the "big names" in that group? Any strong inside the paint DeJuan Blair types?

Moderator: John- Wrote in Klee’s Corner on Sunday that Illinois still has a lot of work to do in the 2011 class. I don't think it's going to come together as smoothly as 2009 and 2010, and I don’t think the finalized 2011 class is going to include the names you might have guessed, say, a month ago.

Klee

Jim, Peoria, IL: How is Brian Randle looking this summer? Is there a chance he could end up playing with any NBA teams this coming season after a pretty successful year in Israel?

Moderator: Jim- If Brian Randle is around town this week I'll catch up with him. He excelled in Israel last season, and in pickup games at Ubben last week. He's also getting married in the near future.

Klee

Jack, Savoy, Il: How do you see the USA team trials helping Tisdale during this offseason?

Moderator: Jack- I think the experience showed again that his main weakness is physical strength. You can go through the big guys selected to the World University Games roster - Trevor Booker, Deon Thompson, Jarvis Varnado, etc. - and notice a trend. They're not 7-footers, but they're physical players that don't shy from contact. Weber said Varnado and Booker were especially impressive.

"He blocked everything," Weber said of Varnado.

Great experience for Mike Tisdale, though. Not many guys get that opportunity. I would have liked to see both Tisdale and Davis get the chance to play in Colorado Springs. For one, Mike Davis could have gotten that NBA exposure from all the scouts, something he was looking forward to.

Klee

Brett, Des Moines, Ia: There was a lot of talk that Demetri needed to loose several pounds for him to gain more speed and beat defenders off the dribble, has he been working on his weight and speed in the offseason?

Moderator: Brett- Yes, Demetri said he's down to 200 pounds. He wants to hit 195 by season's start. That was in the Corner on Sunday.

Klee

Moderator: Going to wrap this up. Plenty more basketball coverage coming the rest of this week. Thanks for all the questions, my apologies to those that didn't get answered. Klee