By Joe Henricksen

Whether it's college coaches watching one weekend or talent evaluators/recruiting gurus watching the next, all eyes are on high school basketball players in the exposure events played throughout the spring and summer. There is no question that there can be too much stock put into a weekend's performance, especially when it comes to national talent evaluators. Nonetheless, reputations are built, scholarships offers are made and stock can fall -- fairly or unfairly -- for prep players in these events.

Continue reading "Exposure has its advantages for many" »

By Joe Henricksen

There are a pair of hard-nosed, productive players who come to play every day and are players you win with in the Class of 2009 in Illinois that have had solid springs, yet are sitting with one scholarship offer between them. Have no fear, D.J. Cooper and Conrad Krutwig, the offers will be coming.

Continue reading "Offers will be coming their way" »

By Joe Henricksen

When it comes to evaluating and ranking high school players, I sometimes find it difficult to truly rely on the national talent evaluators. I have just seen too many discrepancies when it comes to Illinois prep players over the years, the players the Hoops Report focuses on 12 months a year.

Continue reading "National evaluators have their purpose" »

By Joe Henricksen

It was just three years ago when New Trier coach Rick Malnati was included in a City/Suburban Hoops Report issue as one of the five top coaches in Illinois prep basketball. And it was just a few months ago when as part of a "Best Of" issue in the Hoops Report, Malnati was singled out as the Best Coach. Now he's no longer the head coach at New Trier following his resignation after 12 years at the Winnetka school.

Continue reading "Top coach stepping down not a big surprise" »

By Joe Henricksen

It's too bad every class that enters high school these days is hyped to the extreme by so many people, because when a truly talented one actually does come through it might not stand out or be adored and appreciated as much as it should. In recent years it's been rather ridiculous the accolades bestowed on these young players simply because they are, well, young.

Continue reading "Class of 2011 truly one to watch" »

By Joe Henricksen

Flash's Spring Hoops Review featured a bevy of individual talent on display, which included several of the top players in the Class of 2009 and went as far down as getting an early look at some of the better 8th graders in the state that traveled to the campus of Illinois Wesleyan on Sunday.

Continue reading "Flash's event puts talent on display" »

By Joe Henricksen

Eastern Illinois coach Mike Miller continues to take steps in rebuilding the basketball program in Charleston. Earlier today the Panthers received a verbal commitment from Elgin's Jeremy Granger. The 6-1 point guard will sign officially next Wednesday.

Continue reading "EIU lands late bloomer Granger" »

By Joe Henricksen

Prep basketball fans in Illinois have plenty to look forward to in coming years, thanks to the abundance of young, individual talent in the current sophomore and freshmen classes in the state. College coaches around the country have certainly taken an early notice of these young prospects in Illinois. And now even the juniors -- the players in the Class of 2009 -- have blossomed into what looks to be a very solid class.

Continue reading "Fifty to watch in '08-'09" »

By Joe Henricksen

Talk about individual talent. Good 'ol Mac Irvin's Fire sure have it. But before breaking down the star-studded roster of the Fire, I have found that not all basketball in March is fun to watch. Maybe part of it is the calendar still says March. That is the time, after all, when we are accustomed to watching the best basketball of the year, whether it be state tournament action in Illinois or the NCAA Tournament. But all-star games are being played and the AAU season has started. I guess it's still called basketball, nonetheless.

Continue reading "Mac Irvin's Fire ridiculously loaded" »

By Joe Henricksen

While recruiting for the Class of 2008, for the most part, wrapped up last November during the early signing period, a lot was learned about those players over the past four months. The ink dries on the letters-of-intent, college coaches move on to younger players and fans watch and analyze those recruits during their senior year.

Continue reading "How do those November signings look now?" »