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With most schools now finalizing their recruiting classes, here??™s a look at the top 10 in-state recruits who are most likely to make immediate impacts.
1. Darius Smith, combo guard, 6-2, Eastern Illinois: It??™s not often you see a UConn recruit end up at Eastern Illinois. Smith was one of Chicago??™s top high school players in the Class of 2009 and was highly recruited. He ended up at Connecticut, but was unhappy and left after one season. He played last season at Southern Idaho junior college and is now returning to his home state. Smith, who has two years of eligibility left, should be a game-changer for Eastern Illinois and could bring security to coach Mike Miller??™s job.
6. Johnny Hill, shooting guard, 6-2, Illinois State: Outside of Simeon??™s Jabari Parker, Glenbard East??™s Johnny Hill showed the most ability at this year??™s Illinois state tournament. In the state semifinals against Simeon, Hill shot 7 of 11 from the field, 3 of 4 from 3-point range and scored a game-high 22 points. Hill has the ability to get to the rim and shoot from deep. He has a bright future in the Missouri Valley.
9. Jalen Crawford, 6-2, combo guard, Bradley: Crawford isn??™t as highly-touted as his older brothers Joe, who starred at Kentucky, and Jordan, who starred at Xavier, but he does have game. Crawford can score from inside and out and has improved his point guard skills. He should compliment returning guards Dyricus Simms-Edwards and Walt Lemon.
10. Dantiel Daniels, power forward, 6-6, Southern Illinois: Daniels??™ size might throw some people off as a power forward, but he plays much bigger than his frame. He??™s athletic and has a high motor. He averaged 21.4 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.9 blocks this past year in the St. Louis area.
1. Darius Smith, combo guard, 6-2, Eastern Illinois: It??™s not often you see a UConn recruit end up at Eastern Illinois. Smith was one of Chicago??™s top high school players in the Class of 2009 and was highly recruited. He ended up at Connecticut, but was unhappy and left after one season. He played last season at Southern Idaho junior college and is now returning to his home state. Smith, who has two years of eligibility left, should be a game-changer for Eastern Illinois and could bring security to coach Mike Miller??™s job.
6. Johnny Hill, shooting guard, 6-2, Illinois State: Outside of Simeon??™s Jabari Parker, Glenbard East??™s Johnny Hill showed the most ability at this year??™s Illinois state tournament. In the state semifinals against Simeon, Hill shot 7 of 11 from the field, 3 of 4 from 3-point range and scored a game-high 22 points. Hill has the ability to get to the rim and shoot from deep. He has a bright future in the Missouri Valley.
9. Jalen Crawford, 6-2, combo guard, Bradley: Crawford isn??™t as highly-touted as his older brothers Joe, who starred at Kentucky, and Jordan, who starred at Xavier, but he does have game. Crawford can score from inside and out and has improved his point guard skills. He should compliment returning guards Dyricus Simms-Edwards and Walt Lemon.
10. Dantiel Daniels, power forward, 6-6, Southern Illinois: Daniels??™ size might throw some people off as a power forward, but he plays much bigger than his frame. He??™s athletic and has a high motor. He averaged 21.4 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.9 blocks this past year in the St. Louis area.
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