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Illinois Basketball: Top Illini recruiting targets at the Peach Jam

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 06: General view of Illinois Fighting Illini basketballs seen before the game against the IUPUI Jaguars at State Farm Center on December 6, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 06: General view of Illinois Fighting Illini basketballs seen before the game against the IUPUI Jaguars at State Farm Center on December 6, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – JANUARY 25: A basketball with a Nike logo lies on the court during a timeout in the second half of a game between the Fresno State Bulldogs and the New Mexico Lobos at The Pit on January 25, 2022 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Bulldogs defeated the Lobos 65-60. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

The biggest AAU tournament in the world is being held right now, and the Illinois basketball team has numerous recruits they are keeping tabs on.

The talent level that the Nike EYBL has amassed is quite impressive. They not only have the Peach Jam, which features the elite teams in the AAU league but there are also three other tournaments going on, which is great for development. It also gives teams, like the Illini, a chance to see a wide range of players from across the country.

Illinois’ coaching staff will be eyeing quite a few talented recruits at these tournaments, but there are a few players who I think should be the top priority right now.

Here are the top Illinois basketball recruiting targets at the Peach Jam

Jeremiah Fears – Brad Beal Elite (EYBL)

You know a player is really good when he is already rated and ranked for a class that is two years down the road. That is the case with Jeremiah Fears.

Fears is a 6-foot-2, 165-pound combo guard who attends Compass Prep out in Arizona. He is rated as a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 35 player in the class of 2025. He is also the No. 6 combo guard in the country and the No. 2 player coming out of Arizona.

Despite Fears playing for Compass Prep, he played his first two years of high school basketball at Joliet West. He also plays his AAU basketball with Brad Beal Elite.

Brad Beal Elite has started the Peach Jam 2-1, with its only loss coming to Mokan Elite, who leads Group D in the round-robin. A lot of the success of Brad Beal Elite has to do with Fears playing well. He is averaging 12.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in the first three games. His best showing was against AZ Unity where he put up 21 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and one block on 57.1% shooting from the field and 57.1% shooting from three-point range.

Fears is one of those recruits Illinois needs to keep in-state. The fact he just finished up his sophomore season in high school and is already torching the upperclassmen is impressive. Fears is going to be a feared name at the college level. Hopefully, it is with the Illini.

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