Illinois State gets commitment from 2011 guard

[Da Coach]

Johnny Hill of Glenbard East has verbally committed to ISU.
He is a 6'3" wing-forward, but will likely play the 2-guard position in college.
This article suggests Bradley was following him-

http://blogs.suntimes.com/hoopsreport/2010/06/emerging_johnny_hill_picks_isu_1.html

http://blogs.suntimes.com/hoopsreport/2010/06/mvp_hill_glenbard_east_impress_1.html

http://ilprepbullseye.com/page33.html

http://ilprepbullseye.com/page23.html

Hill is not listed in the Scout or Rivals database.
And he is not listed among the top 25 players in Illinois for 2011-

http://www.chicagohoops.com/articles1/2011rankings.html

http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=15755

[Da Coach]

About a week ago, teammmate of Johnny Hill on Glenbard East, Zach Miller, a quality point guard, committed to Northern Illinois University.

http://www.chicagohoops.com/articles1/zachmiller.html

[tornado]

is he related to Bobby Hill?

[Da Coach]

No relation to Bobby Hill.

[CubbieBear]

No freaking way...I have seen this kid play, he has a LOT of game, and I know he was on our high interest list...WTFYet another reason on my constantly growing list to hate ISU

[Da Coach]

I wouldn't get too worried yet. Hill is talented, but he's more of a forward, despite being just 6'2"-6'3". This kind of kid can be very good at the high school level, but usually does not immediately transition to the college game. I think he can develop the wing guard skills needed to be a good college player eventually, but it will take time.
There is a reason the only offers he had were from low-midmajors.

[BostonBird]

i don't know much about him but espn disagrees with you slightly dacoach

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player?recruitId=111115&season=2011

April, 2010: Hill is an excellent athlete that possesses good length for his size. He scores mostly on quick athletic slashes to the rim. His first step and attack dribble are both extremely good and Hill usually gains an advantage on his defender when he decides to make a one on one move. The middle game is also a nice asset of Hill. He can stop and pop after a couple rhythm dribbles going either way. He must work to extend his shooting range which would take his offensive skill package to the next level. On the defensive end of the floor Hill is very impressive as well. He is an excellent on ball defender. He has quick hands and good lateral foot speed. He can stay in front of the ball handler and really make him work to advance the ball. Hill is a solid all around wing with excellent upside.

List him as a guard and describe him as a guard as well.

[Da Coach]

I don't see much there that disputes anything I have said.
Have you seen him play? I haven't, but people who have seen him say he needs to improve his ball-handling and shooting skills, as he is more of a forward than a guard. I am not knocking the kid. Perhaps he'll turn into a star. But Redbird fans were saying the same things about Zeke Upshaw a year ago, and predicting he'd play a lot and be a stud. I thought he would take more time because he played mostly forward in high school, not guard, and that's apparently what Coach Jank thought.

[BostonBird]

"I thought he would take more time because he played mostly forward in high school, not guard, and that's apparently what Coach Jank thought."

Well you both had the same final conclusion, i wouldn't say that the logic for getting there is the same.

I wasn't trying to be a cool-aid drinker, just reading the review on him and sounds like a guard to me. I've watched some youtube of him...i think he plays the 3 for his team, but they have two midget guards, so he might just be playing a 3 guard offense. Also, seems like he gets most of his points off the bounce and plays on the perimeter.

[houstontxbrave]

I wouldn't get too worried yet. Hill is talented, but he's more of a forward, despite being just 6'2"-6'3". This kind of kid can be very good at the high school level, but usually does not immediately transition to the college game. I think he can develop the wing guard skills needed to be a good college player eventually, but it will take time.
There is a reason the only offers he had were from low-midmajors.

We had a guy years ago who was 6'3" or so and he played mainly center in HS and he ended up being a pretty decent guard.

He appears to be talented period and another loss to ISU in the recruiting battles. For all of the deserving grief given to Jank on his scheduling, other then that he is running a very solid program.

Having respected connected assistant coaches IE Parham and Judson are paying off bigtime at ISU.

[Da Coach]

He sounds very athletic. It's always hard to evaluate a kid like Hill this early, but he could blossom into another Rayvonte Rice (who also played forward in HS). Let us know how he's doing this summer and next season.

[CubbieBear]

Happened to see him in the Loyola Rambler shootout (my cousin was playing in it). Didn't know who Hill was at the time--but was very impressed with his smooth style and skills--he can handle the ball, has good range, really penetrates well, and was the best defensive player in the shootout. ( I believe he was the MVP--but not sure about that?) When I later found out that we were recruting him, along with DePaul, Loyola, Murray State, etc...I was very excited. And now...Did I mention I hate ISU

[Future Walk-On]

The only reason I think ISU one-ups us occasionally is the fact that they are a big school and we are a small private school...

what else could it be?

[Da Coach]

The only reason I think ISU one-ups us occasionally is the fact that they are a big school and we are a small private school...

what else could it be?

First- Bradley did not offer a scholarship to this kid (Jonny Hill). So it would not be accurate to say that ISU "one-upped" us or "beat out Bradley" in this case. Who knows if Bradley would have ever offered the kid later if he had waited to commit. But in this case, all we can say is that ISU beat out Wisconsin-Green Bay, Northern Illinois, Loyola, and Murray State- all schools that are inferior and they should be able to beat out for a recruit most of the time.

I think most high school kids do look to commit to the school that has the highest profile. I suspect they think- why not shoot for the highest level to play at. But there are a few that select a school on other criteria, like relationships with coaches, style of play, and opportunity to get playing time. Some even consider academic factors. Tim Jankovich and his assistants are good recruiters. But then even Porter Moser landed Osiris Eldridge somehow.

[Chico]

There have many players that both schools were interested in. Some went to isu and others went to the Braves. No reason to get upset.