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Simeon's Jaylon Tate commits to Illinois

Thu, 10/04/2012 - 6:06pm | Marcus Jackson

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CHAMPAIGN – John Groce’s staff has reopened the Simeon-to-Illinois pipeline – again.

Jaylon Tate, a 6-foot-2 senior, said today he has given a verbal commitment to play basketball at Illinois.

The point guard’s commitment arrived less than a month after Chicago Simeon teammate Kendrick Nunn committed to Illinois. Tate committed today after receiving his first high-major scholarship offer during an unofficial visit to Illinois.

That makes four prospects in the Illini’s 2013 recruiting class: Malcolm Hill (Belleville East), Maverick Morgan (Springboro, Ohio), Nunn and Tate.

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Bwp 5P wrote on October 04, 2012 at 6:10 pm

Nice work Coach!!!!

ptevonian wrote on October 04, 2012 at 7:10 pm

So who can offer an objective comparison between Jalen James, who Groce clearly didn't think was going to get the job done at Illinois, and Jaylon Tate?  Is it just that now we're more desperate, or is Tate a clearly better player or better fit for Groce's system?  What are the thoughts on Tate's upside?

Brownshoe wrote on October 04, 2012 at 7:10 pm

I don't have a clue, but I suggest that "all of the above" might answer your questions. And then there is that other Simeon guy named Parker.

illinibrave wrote on October 04, 2012 at 8:10 pm

Desperate or not, I have faith in what this coaching staff can do with a PG that fits their system.  Look at what they did with DJ Cooper at Ohio.  Cooper only had offers from Ohio, Kent St.,and Loyola Chicago.  He outplayed some much bigger names in the tourny last year...Wouldn't it have been nice to see him in Orange and Blue last year! 


Tate has been getting a lot more interest as of late.  Georgetown had been in to scout other players on the team, and starting inquiring about Tate after seeing him in open gym.  Last year was his first season at Simeon.  He was learning a new system, getting to know new teamates, and getting used to a new coaching staff.  He backed up their Senior PG last year, but this year he will be running the show! 


Congratulations to Jaylon and to the Illini Coaching Staff! Go Illini!

Brownman07 wrote on October 04, 2012 at 8:10 pm

Tate's ranked a bit higher but he's been progressing while Jalen James ranking has declined in the last year. Tate's ballhandling skills definitely seem better than James'. He might not be the best shooter but that's not necessary with the rest of the recruits they have. Especially if they get XRM. They're going to have a very special class even if they don't get any other high recruits. Recruiting this class without even coaching a single year at Illinois just says so much about Groce's and Illinois' potential in the next few years. 

Bear8287 wrote on October 04, 2012 at 8:10 pm

Congratulations to Coach Groce and his staff and to Jaylon!

lmaran wrote on October 04, 2012 at 9:10 pm

The way I perceive, Jaylon Tate has two things going for him: he is a more committed PG than J James, and J Tate is in the Simeon-Illinois network. Further, XRM won't feel intimidated by this recruitment.

GO ILLINI! GO COACH GROCE>

peterborich wrote on October 04, 2012 at 11:10 pm

Is he Loren's illegitimate great grandson ?

lmaran wrote on October 05, 2012 at 8:10 am

The other way round; Loren is Jalen's illegitimate  pretender grandfather. 

WestChampaign wrote on October 05, 2012 at 9:10 am

I have seen your worthless rants about Loren Tate before, but this comment is uncalled for, someone needs to put you in your place. I suspect by the amount of energy you put into letting us know who much you hate the sports journalist you already have.  Not sure why it is okay to continuously make fun of Loren's age- if he were a minority, gay or of another protected class you would be blacklisted. I don't always agree with Loren's comments but I appreciate his years of experience and zest for working.  He should be an example to us all but instead you prefer to make fun of him, why, becasue he is old? Because you don't agree with his analysis of Illini sports?  When Loren is gone many of us in the community will miss him - I doubt very seriously the same will be said for you. Long live Loren and down with the Loren haters!

Lou-a-villini wrote on October 05, 2012 at 9:10 am

Yes, one more player from Simeon would be nice.  The last time Illinois got three commits from one team - named Frank, Sergio and Marcus - things worked out pretty well. 

Bear8287 wrote on October 05, 2012 at 11:10 am

Yes and if the Illini were to sign up Jabari Parker to make it three, I'm sure that things would also work out very well.  :-)

Go Illini!

Moonpie wrote on October 05, 2012 at 10:10 am

I agree with WestChampaign that Obi Wan Tate shouldn't be criticized for his age.


We should criticize him for being a lousy columnist and condescending know -it-all who hates fans.


 


 

PeoriaIllini wrote on October 05, 2012 at 11:10 am

It takes real courage to anonymously criticize a columnist on the internet, I'm glad this country still has truly brave individuals.

Moonpie wrote on October 05, 2012 at 3:10 pm

PeoriaIllini--it takes real courage to anonymously critize someone who was anonymously criticizing.


Maybe you don't understand--this isn't a board requiring lockstep conservative, blind allegiance to Obi Wan Tate, or or a board only for people who never feel the Illini ever do anything wrong. Maybe you could start one of those boards and call it Cheerleaders for the Illini.

houstonillini84 wrote on October 08, 2012 at 10:10 am

wow. I guess you cant realize that there is a difference between blind allegiance, and not being a complete jerk. Sometimes I agree with Tate and sometimes I disagree. Either way, we can voice our opinion and still be respectful. There is no need to be a complete db. If you despise Tate to such a pathological extent, why read his column? Its really weird... and you seem to be the only person who doesnt realize that.

PeoriaIllini wrote on October 05, 2012 at 11:10 am

It takes real courage to anonymously criticize a columnist on the internet, I'm glad this country still has truly brave individuals.

Brownshoe wrote on October 05, 2012 at 1:10 pm

Moonpie, people like you are the reason we have middle fingers.

Moonpie wrote on October 05, 2012 at 3:10 pm

No, Brownshoe--people like me are why there's still folks who will question authority and not blindly submit, like, apparently you.

optimator wrote on October 05, 2012 at 4:10 pm

lollers @ cowpie. funny stuff dude. you are hilarious.

ILLINI04 wrote on October 06, 2012 at 1:10 pm

Moonpie...since your full of all sorts of knowledge about ILLINI sports and have an opinon about Tates articles every week,why dont you just start your own board about ILLINI SPORTS! Instead of wasting time bashing Tate everytime he post a article.

smartines wrote on October 06, 2012 at 12:10 am

Glad to see Groce is recruiting winners.  Talent only gets you so far.  Getting guys who know how to win in crunch time is what's been missing.  Those type of players have the intangibles to win close games.  Like beating Arizona in the Elite 8.  

houstonillini84 wrote on October 08, 2012 at 10:10 am

We desperately needed a PG and if you cant get your main target its great to get a guy from Simeon, even if he isnt very highly ranked. I hope he does well at UI, becomes a good PG, and gets his degree and sets a good example for future Simeon recruits.