Remaining 2008 Basketball Recruits

Assuming the Illini continue the hunt to sign someone from the 2008 class, the remaining possibilities that are known are as follows:


Devoe Joseph, a Canadian shooting guard that sounds a little like Jamar Smith from a basketball standpoint. Joseph is listing nine major programs with offers on Scout.com, so he seems like a longshot at this point.

Stan Simpson, a big man (6-9) from the Public League, visited campus this past weekend with his coach Robert Smith. Simpson would be a nice commitment, since we have no verbals yet for the class, and he is from Chicago's Simeon high school.

Renaldo Woolridge, a forward who is the son of Orlando Woolridge, has the Illini listed along with Georgetown, USC, Tennessee and Marquette. He seems like a longshot, but it would be nice to have two ex-Chicago Bulls in the stands next season. Profile

Verdell Jones, a big point guard prospect from Champaign Central, needs an offer from the Illini, and maybe they could land him. He lists Illinois, Kansas, Connecticut, Kentucky, Oregon, Texas, Virginia on Scout.com.

Justin Watts is a 6-4 shooting guard from Durham, North Carolina. He sounds like an awesome guy to land for this class. He lists Clemson, Georgia, Illinois, Virginia, East Carolina, Fairfield, George Mason, and Penn State, which make the Illini the best choice for basketball, although Virginia might also be a good one for him. Profile

Deividas Dulkys has an interesting name, and he plays shooting guard for Henderson, NV high school. He lists the following schools: California, Florida State, Miami (Fl), Oregon, San Diego State, Cincinnati, Illinois, Mississippi, Fresno State, Oregon State, and Tennessee. Scout Profile

The other way to go is redshirt two of the 2007 recruits, so that Bruce has a hybrid class of 2008. Plus, there are so many walk-ons with decent quality, we should be OK for awhile. The 2009 class in Illinois is very deep with guards, so maybe that is the year of the guard for us.