Memphis native Leron Black gave Illini Nation some really uplifting Illinois basketball news yesterday to take their minds off some really bad Illinois football news.
How many times have I said over the past 20 years? Leron Black made his official UI campus visit this weekend and took in the Illini football team’s narrow victory over lowly SIU. Then he gave a verbal commitment to hoops.
So while Tim Beckman’s football team looked as bad or worse than the 2-10 squad of last year, John Groce hoops team got some really great bews for the future.
Leron Black is the highest rated Illini recruit since Jereme Richmond and/or Meyers Leonard, depending on the recruiting service you follow. He’s considered a national top 35-45 player; a four star, or maybe a five star.
Leron Black is a great ball handler with the potential to create matchup problems for opposing power forwards.
The 6-foot-7 power forward from White Station (Tenn.) commitment comes via his AAU coach Norton Hurd. He’ll give the Illini some much-needed frontcourt depth and substance in frontcourt for the 2014-15 season
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. An analyst for 95.7 The Fan, he also writes on Chicago sports media for Chicago Now. President Obama follows him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)