Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009

Illinois puts together strong recruiting class

Richmond is ranked the 36th best player

CHAMPAIGN -- A year after signing a class of recruits that helped pushed Illinois back into the Top 25 this season, Illini have signed three players considered to be among the country's 100 best.

Forward Jerome Richmond, guard Crandall Head -- the younger brother of former Illinois standout and Indiana Pacer Luther Head -- and center Meyers Leonard signed letters of intent Wednesday indicating they'll join the 23rd-ranked Illini next season, Illinois basketball spokesman Derrick Burson said.

Coach Bruce Weber was not available for comment. He delayed a news conference to discuss the signings until Thursday because of Veterans Day, Burson said.

The 6-foot, 7-inch Richmond is from Waukegan High School. College sports Web site Rivals.com calls him the 36th best player among college recruits this year.

He'll be joined by Head, a 6-5 shooting guard from (Richton Park) Rich South High School. Rivals.com considers him No. 81 on the list of the top recruits. Luther Head was part of the Illini team that went to the 2005 NCAA championship game, losing to North Carolina.

Leonard is a 7-0 center from Robinson High School in Robinson. He is No. 39 on Rivals' list of top recruits.

The Illini, who start regular-season play Friday against Southern Illinoi University Edwardsville, added four top recruits to this season's team: guards D.J. Richardson, Joseph Bertrand and Brandon Paul and forward Tyler Griffey.

Richardson and Paul are both expected to get serious minutes this season and, combined with returning junior Demetri McCamey, Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale, a part of the reason Illinois is in the Top 25 and considered one of the top Big Ten teams.

Billikens sign Chicago forward

St. Louis University men's basketball coach Rick Majerus announced that 6-5 forward Dwayne Evans from (Naperville) Neuqua Valley High has signed with the Billikens.

"Dwayne is a true scholar-athlete," Majerus said. "His father, Dwayne Sr., is earning a doctorate, and his mother, Janice, also has a master's degree. Dwayne is an advanced-placement honor student, and there is no doubt in my mind that he will be an Academic All-American."

Neuqua Valley was 31-2 last season and is expected to be one of the top teams in Illinois this season.

"Dwayne can play two or three positions offensively, although we will look for him to be a 2-3 wing," Majerus said. "He is an excellent rebounder, a fine competitor and someone who places a premium on defense."

Evans was named to the 2009 Daily Herald All-Area team after averaging nearly 14 points and 10 rebounds a game for the Wildcats. He helped Neuqua Valley set a school record for wins last season.

In the sectional finals, Evans scored 30 points and pulled down 17 rebounds. He is ranked as a top-20 player by ChicagoHoops.com, and regarded as a top-25 player by ChicagoSporting.com.

His sister, Janice, is a senior captain on the Washington University women's basketball team.