The Illinois basketball program is in the running to land 2022 small forward, Gradey Dick.
A 6-foot-7, 195-pound small forward, Dick is down to his final eight schools. The four-star 2022 prospect has been a primary Illini target since June and has kept the Orange and Blue in the running ever since.
Dick made the news official Monday night via Twitter, as some elite company is after the talented small forward from Sunrise Christian in Witchita, Kansas.
TOP🎱 pic.twitter.com/jcW2xI93ED
— Gradey Dick (@gradey_dick) December 29, 2020
Including Illinois, Big Ten counterpart Purdue has expressed interest, along with Oklahoma State, Baylor, Kansas, Texas Tech, Alabama, and Florida. At the moment, there are no Crystal Ball projections for Dick, but that could soon change as his junior year of high school basketball progresses.
Dick’s coach, Luke Barnwell, spoke highly of Kansas’ No. 2 player in an interview with Zagsblog.com.
"“Gradey has grown so much defensively and with his energy,” Barnwell said. “He is affecting possessions on both ends of the floor for us. He is so talented that he will score double figures without us noticing.”"
As for Dick’s team, they are off to a fast start as 2021 looms large. The Buffaloes currently sit atop the state at No. 1, while they are ranked No. 3 nationally. At 5-0, the team is brimming with confidence, as they recently defeated Legacy School of Sports Sciences, 114-59 on December 15.
The Buffaloes look to build off of a 2019-20 campaign that saw them finish 22-3 overall, capped off by a six-game win streak.
What would Gradey Dick’s decision mean for Illinois?
If the Illini are able to land Dick, this would be massive for the future of the program. His height advantage is difficult to defend, and he can knock down big-time three’s from long-range. Brad Underwood likes game-changers, and Dick certainly does that well.
Check out his sophomore season highlights above, as Dick’s play is electrifying in all facets.
Let’s see if the Illini can win out and continue to build the groundwork for sustained success in the years to come.