One of the great things I love about the Illinois basketball program is that they don’t just focus on the micro.
Landing top talent for the 2022 class is important, but laying the groundwork for successful classes in the future is also a key to winning. Brad Underwood and the Illini know this, and that is why they offered a player like Bryce Heard.
Heard is a 6-foot-5 combo guard from Kenwood Academy and resides in Chicago, Illinois. He isn’t rated or ranked by recruiting sites just yet, but that isn’t due to his skill level. The reason Heard isn’t ranked nationally is the fact he is from the class of 2025.
Blessed to receive a offer from university of Illinois 💙🧡 pic.twitter.com/T7w6d67Yf8
— Bryce Heard (@Bryceheard_) September 21, 2021
Back on September 20, Illinois decided to offer Heard a scholarship. The kid hasn’t even played a game at the high school level, yet teams like Illinois can already see the potential he has in the next four years. That is how good Heard has a chance to be at Kenwood.
Illinois basketball is by no means the only team eyeing Heard.
While it is nice that the Illini offered an incoming high school freshman a scholarship, they aren’t the first program to see this kid’s potential.
In addition to Illinois, Heard has also received offers from DePaul, Jacksonville, Western Illinois, and LSU. I would venture to say by the time Heard reaches his junior year in high school that every major DI program will have offered him a scholarship. The sky is the limit for this kid.
Heard has earned these scholarships with the work he has put in on the court. He was dominant with the Mac Irvin Fire 14U team this past summer, leading them to the title game. His game will continue to grow over the next four years in high school as well.
I like Heard’s game. He obviously has a chance to do something special at the next level, and teams already see that. The length that Heard brings to the court is going to help him tremendously. His ability to slash to the basket is also a great asset. He always seems to be moving and looking for the right play, which shows his basketball IQ.
Establishing a relationship with the young players will only benefit the Illini down the road. This is a smart offer by the Illinois coaching staff.