Last night, Mark Smith officially became the first state of Illinois prep Mr. Basketball to join Illini basketball since 2010 (Jereme Richmond). Let’s hope for the sake of everyone involved that Smith’s career, and life after college basketball, works out better than Richmond’s did.
Mark Smith is a four-star prospect is now ranked No. 52 by Rivals, No. 74 by 247 Sports Composite and No. 76 by Scout in the top 100 for the Class of 2017. He’s a 6-4 guard from Edwardsville who recorded a career-high 45 points in a sectional final win over Ottawa on March 10.
Mark Smith 4th most trending term nationally right now.#illinination #illinitwitter #Illini https://t.co/Z1FWyDo5kJ
— Paul M. Banks (@PaulMBanks) April 26, 2017
This is a massive statement for recently minted Illini basketball coach Brad Underwood, as he establishes himself now on the local recruiting trail. Smith chose Illinois over Michigan State and Kentucky.
Smith was also considering Northwestern before he narrowed his list to down to his final grouping, so it’s possible that his decision could trigger the Purple Mafia contingent of the Chicago sports media.
You might be getting a hot take Illini basketball hit piece again in the near future from someone at the Chicago Tribaily Northwestern.
While Mark Smith rounds out an Illini basketball group of guards that could one day become elite, who will they have up front? The guards will be young, but they have huge potential. As for the forwards tbough…you only have one guy on the current roster who’s over 6’7″ and that’s Michael Finke.
Leron Black is that second tallest player.
Sure, you were going to start three guards anyway, but this line-up is sure going to see a ton of small ball. Right now, if no one else is added, Underwood would have to start Kipper Nichols at the four and Leron Black at the five.
Or play four guards.
Give me Nichols at 4 Black at 5. https://t.co/NSq36MV8KQ
— Writing Illini (@WritingIlliniFS) April 27, 2017
Of course, there are still transfers out there and graduate school immediately eligible big men and yes recruiting dominoes still to fall. Smith said he’s been talking to Jeremiah Tilmon, a once Illini basketball signee who is now back on the market. Tilmon has wavered three times on his commitment to Illini basketball and only time will tell where he finally commits without further waffling. Bear in mind he’s absolutely free to waffle as much as he wants.
It’s his recruitment, and his future college experience, he can handle in any manner that he sees fit.
Perhaps Smith can be the guy to help Tilmon end his vacillating and make him feel comfortable. Then there’s Francesco Badochhi, who’s down to Illinois and Virginia; having just eliminated Wichita State from the running.
https://twitter.com/DanielleBloeme/status/857380965211131905
Learn more about him in this Scout profile. There’s plenty more news to come this Illini basketball “off season,” so watch this space.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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