It has always been important for the Illinois basketball team to establish solid relationships with high school and AAU programs from the Chicago area.
Developing these relationships gives trust to the coaches and players of those respective teams that the college head coach will take care of their players like they were one of their own. The coaches at the high school level want their players to succeed and having trust in a college coach who can help the player accomplish that goal is paramount.
Morgan Park High School is a program that has produced some of the top talent in the nation. From Marcus LoVett to Charlie Moore to Ayo Dosunmu, this program has pumped out great players. The trend of talented players coming from Morgan Park isn’t slowing down either.
The Mustangs are going to have a solid team this upcoming season. The highest rated recruit, Adam Miller, is wanted by just about every team in the nation. He is ranked as the No. 28 player in the class of 2020. The rest of the Morgan Park lineup can hold their own as well. Players like Marcus Watson – a returning guard – and Brandon Weston – a transfer into the program – should help this team get back to being one of the top programs in the nation.
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and his coaching staff have Morgan Park right in their backyard. This program has some of the top talent in the nation, and Underwood’s relationship with Morgan Park and Coach Nick Irvin would go a long way in potentially landing some of these talented recruits.
I was curious about what the relationship was like between the Illini coaches and Morgan Park. There was a sense with the previous regime that the connection wasn’t strong. Had things changed? The Writing Illini was able to get a little insight into the situation from Kedric Prince of Rivals.com and QCOnline.
“It’s very good, Brad gets along with them and he talks to them himself along with Chin. It’s a good situation. I’m not sure you saw it, but when they (Morgan Park) won state, Brad hugged the staff,” said Prince.
The Underwood era of Illinois basketball seems to have developed a strong connection with the Morgan Park program. Was that always the case since Underwood arrived? Did he always have a strong connection with the Irvin’s?
“Yes, as soon as Chin was hired, he said he’s always supported Illinois,” said Prince.
The relationship that has been built between the two programs is something that will benefit both teams moving forward. Illinois will be a place where Morgan Park can send their players and know that they are in good hands. That is the most important part of all of this.
Some of the players on the Morgan Park roster right now are targets for the Illini. Miller is obviously the biggest target for the Orange and Blue. Watson is also a big target, though. He is the No. 339 player in the class of 2020 but continues to rise in the rankings. Illinois needs more guard help and Watson would fit that bill.
Weston was also just offered a scholarship by the Illini as well. I am sure Underwood and the coaching staff isn’t done there, though. There is a lot of talent on this Morgan Park team who can help Illinois get back to prominence.
But the first step into creating that pipeline for Morgan Park players to consistently come to Illinois is to develop a solid relationship with the Mustang’s coaching staff. Clearly, that has been accomplished.