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For the second consecutive year I attended the University of Illinois Team Tournament at Assembly Hall and the Ubben Center in Champaign, Illinois.  Last year featured some great talent and this year was no different.  Three Illini commitments were on hand as well as many targets from the Class of 2011, 2012, and yes 2013.  Who put on a show for the staff and fans?
 

Class of 2010

Jereme Richmond SF Waukegan (IL) Class of 2010 (Illinois)

Jereme caused quite a buzz in the morning and it had nothing to do with his playmaking abilities on the floor.  He was scheduled to play the second game of the morning and Waukegan was there.  Jereme wasn't!  There had been rumors that he might be transferring to Findlay Prep in Nevada.  The 50 or so people in the Hall at this time had the exact same thing on their mind.  I waited until the tip of the game and once there was no sight I headed over to another game at the Ubben.  Jereme would show up midway through the game from what I was told.  In the games I did see Jereme play he was his usual explosive self.  I have always said his passing is his best attribute and it has even improved since I last saw him in March.  If Bruce Weber wanted to he could have Richmond run the show as a point forward.  He was more aggressive overall throughout the day.  In stretches he absolutely dominated the game by himself with his advanced skill set.  Richmond played more on the perimeter than he has in the past.  This is most likely to get him adjusted to his natural position in college and the NBA.  In the past he has played more on the interior for Waukegan.  His shot is still not as good as it could be, but it is coming along.  His rebounding ability has continued to improve over the years.  Defensively he lacks great intensity except when shot blocking.  He loves to set underneath the basket and swat the ball out to start a fast break!  I truly believe that Jereme is the in the contention for the #1 overall spot in the Class of 2010 Rankings nationally.  He is a consistent jump shot away from being the best player in the nation!  When I asked Jereme about the whole Findlay Prep rumors he flat out told me he will be back at Waukegan for his senior season.
 

Myers Leonard C Robinson (IL) Class of 2010 (Illinois)

I will be honest.  I wasn't overly impressed when I saw Myers play against my old high school in the high school season.  He was passive and did not have much of a mean streak.  That changed big time in Champaign!  The first game I saw him play he started of slow and lacked intensity.  The next game I caught was against Brehm Prep and their front line of 2011 PF James Siakam and 2012 C Emmanuel Ochenje.  The Brehm bigs played physical against Myers and Myers had enough of it!  In front of cheers and encouragement from future teammates Tracy Abrams, Jereme Richmond, and several current Illini, Myers TOOK OVER!  He threw down one dunk so hard I thought the Ubben would blow its top.  The crowd went nuts.  After that dunk he had this glare in his eye like he wanted to prove that he is the best big man in the state and show his future running mates what he was about.  Once he started playing aggressive and with passion there was no stopping him in the post, high post, or in transition.  He scored in multiple ways.  He showed great footwork on his post moves.  He passes great for a big man and makes the high to low post better than any 7 footer I have seen in high school recently.  Leonard has a defensive presence that shies guards from trying to score on the interior.  The big man needs to continue to add muscle to his frame.  With added muscle Myers should be an impact player for the Illini in 2010-2011.  He dramatically improved from the last time I saw him.  Leonard is a top 35 prospect nationally after his showing on this day.

Brandon Spearman SG Simeon (IL) Class of 2010

Brandon is a bulky shooting guard that can really shoot it.  He is a big time competitor and loves to win.  Spearman has some great leadership qualities.  He was hurt later in the day, but told me he would be fine and it was nothing serious.  Spearman is a low high major or a high mid major prospect.  The athletic guard is a top 100 prospect in the Class of 2010.

Class of 2011

Tracy Abrams PG Mt. Carmel (IL) Class of 2011 (Illinois)

Abrams was the third Illini commitment on hand.  He is a strong and explosive point guard in a compact build.  Abrams got in the lane pretty much when ever he wanted with his penetration ability.  He is a good passer, not exceptional.  He struggled running the team to a certain extent in the half court.  This is something he will need to continue to work at.  In transition though he had no problem finding the open man and maneuvering to the right void in the floor.  He is fast with the ball in his hands going from end to end.  Abrams has solid form on his shot, but it can be inconsistent at times from deep.  I see Abrams being a point guard that leans toward a scoring point guard, but should be able to lead a team by the time he arrives in Champaign.  Abrams is a top 50 recruit in the Class of 2011.

Sam Thompson SG Whitney Young (IL) Class of 2011

Thompson has been one of the more highly touted players in the Class of 2011 in the state of Illinois.  He has been overshadowed in the past on  one of the talented and deepest teams in recent memory in the state.  I thought this would be Thompson's coming out party.  WRONG!  He really struggled when he did play and didn't play a ton in the games that he did see the floor.  He looked out of it and very disinterested.  You can see the potential, but the production is not there.  He is still a raw project and that needs to start to change as he will be a junior and one of the go to players for Whitney Young in 2009-2010.  I heard one of the WY assistants saying that Sam needs to have more fun out on the court.  At this point Sam is still a top 60 recruit based on potential, but if the production doesn't match it soon he is going to drop!

James Siakam PF Brehm Prep (IL) Class of 201 (Illinois)

The first thing that jumps out about Siakam is that he is not as big as I had seen him listed in some places.  He is 6'6" tops.  His bulk makes up for it though.  He is not afraid to bang down low with guys that are taller than he is.  His compact strength lets him out muscle opponents on the boards.  His teammate Ochenje has the higher upside, but James is the better player.  He has a decent offensive skill set, but he will earn a scholarship based on his defense and rebounding.  Siakam is a top 100 prospect in the Class of 2011.

DeJuan Marrero SF/PF Bowman Academy (IN) Class of 2012

Marrero has a small forward's body, but plays on the interior for Bowman.  He has a good frame, but needs to continue to add muscle.  He projects as a 3 to me and to do that he needs to improve his jump shot.  Marrero struggled in the first game I saw him, but after that he was very solid throughout the day with his scoring ability.  He did not get much help from his teammates on this day.  Marrero is a top 50 type talent for the Class of 2012.

Jabari Parker PG/SG Simeon (IL) Class of 2013

LET THE HYPE BEGIN!!!  Parker is 1/3 of the "Holy Trinity of 8th Graders" that will be making an impact on the Chicago High School basketball scene this year.  He is a tall point guard right now and he isn't even in high school yet.  I didn't know if Parker would be here.  He was and started and played major minutes in every game I saw Simeon play.  Parker runs the team well and has great vision for a player his age.  He did play at the 2 some and showed scoring ability when in this situation.  The freshman guarded Abrams in their match up and did an ok job on the junior.  The Class of 2013 will not be ranked nationally by me for a while, but Parker has all the tools of a #1 overall prospect nationally.