Top Illinois recruit Tilmon confirms he will play senior season in metro-east
Jeremiah Tilmon, the 6-foot-10, 235-pound power forward and centerpiece of basketball coach John Groce’s 2017 recruiting class at the University of Illinois, says he’s returning to East St. Louis for his senior season.
Tilmon left East Side after averaging 11 points per game his sophomore year to attend La Lumiere School in LaPorte, Ind. The rumor mill almost immediately began churning out reports of his eminent return to the metro-east, either at East St. Louis or with the Illinois 3A state champion Althoff Crusaders.
The five-star college recruit — who announced his commitment to the Illini early in July — confirmed that there was some truth to both rumors. He said he had even spoken to Althoff head coach Greg Leib about wanting to be a Crusader.
It just came down to me wanting to be around family and my mother.
Jeremiah Tilmon
on why he decided to return to East St. Louis for his senior seasonUltimately, Tilmon said his decision was based on his desire to be closer to home. He registered Tuesday for classes at East St. Louis Senior High School.
“It just came down to me wanting to be around family and my mother,” said Tilmon, rated in the top 25 nationally by most college recruiting services. “She’ll be able to be a little more hands-on when it comes to looking after me and my academics.”
Neither Leib nor East St. Louis head coach Phillip Gilbert returned calls for comment Tuesday.
Tilmon next year will join Belleville East senior Javon Pickett with the Illini. The announcement of his commitment was viewed as a positive sign among Illini fans that his other good friend and AAU teammate, Althoff forward Jordan Goodwin, also would choose Illinois to play out his college career.
Tilmon said he was as surprised as anyone when Goodwin last Friday announced he would play at Saint Louis University instead. But that announcement had no influence on Tilmon’s decision to go to East Side instead of Althoff, he said, nor will it cause him to reconsider his commitment to Illinois.
Jordan's decision is his own and I'm proud of him for picking his school. I support him 100 percent and I'm happy for him.
Jeremiah Tilmon
speaking of his friend, Althoff forward Jordan Goodwin“Jordan’s decision is his own and I’m proud of him for picking his school,” Tilmon said. “I really hoped we would be playing together at Illinois, but it’s all good. I support him 100 percent and I’m happy for him.”
ESPN.com had Tilmon as the top rated 2017 recruit in Illinois and No. 23 nationally. Scout.com lists Tilmon as the National 19th overall recruit, while Rivals.com has him at No. 24. He is the highest-rated recruit during Groce’s tenure at Illinois.
Tilmon helped lead La Lumiere to the national championship game before suffering a dislocated shoulder during a televised game. He says rehabilitation has progressed on schedule and that he’ll be ready to play by the start of the season in November.
The Flyers graduated 10 seniors from a 2015-16 team that finished 12-14. Jermaine Grissom will be the top returning scorer at six points per game. Terrence Hargrove is the top returning rebounder at 4.3 per game.
“I’m looking forward to being back home and playing for coach Gilbert and closer to family,” Tilmon said.
Todd Eschman: 618-239-2540, @tceschman
This story was originally published August 16, 2016 at 8:51 PM with the headline "Top Illinois recruit Tilmon confirms he will play senior season in metro-east."