THE INNOVATIVE AMPLIFICATION CONTINUES. MOST IMITATED, MOST RESPECTED, THE BEST.
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D.J. Richardson |
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Brandon Paul |
Illini Score Two in '09
by Pat Benninger
October 11, 2007
Bruce Weber took the first step in silencing his critics by landing two heavyweights in the 2009 class. 6'4" D.J. Richardson and 6'3" Brandon Paul both pledged their verbal commitments to University of Illinois this morning.
These two recruits are crucial for Weber for a few reasons. For one, Richardson is one of the very few consensus top 75 national recruits that he has pulled in in recent years. Also, both Richardson and Paul are very highly rated in-state prospects that will fit the Fighting Illini's playing style.
D.J. is an all-around guard who is very comparable to Purdue freshman E'Twaun Moore. He is a hard worker that can score in many ways and also gets it done on the defensive end. When he catches fire from beyond the arch, it is very hard to stop him. Paul saw his stock sore after a strong showing at the 2006 MidStateHoops.com Final Run Player Showcase. He's an athletic guard that has learned to score consistently from the outside and that is good at getting to the basket. Once both players gain overall consistency, they will be very, very good.
There are still a lot of questions regarding the 2008 class but the IlliniNation is nowhere near as worried as they had been in the past. The classes of 2009 and 2010 seem as if they will be great for the program. 6'6" Jereme Richmond is a top 5 national sophomore and pledged his commitment last season. Others prime in-state targets on the Illini radar include 2009's Chris Colvin, Joseph Bertrand, Diamond Taylor along with 2010's Anthony Johnson, DeAndre McCamey, and Crandall Head.
Richardson, Paul, Richmond, and Johnson are all going to be in attendance at Illinois' Midnight Madness tomorrow night. In addition, we've confirmed 6'6" 2009 wing Nik Garcia will definitely be in attedance. MidStateHoops.com will also be in the building.
MSH Player Video: Brandon Paul
MSH Player Video: D.J. Richardson
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