Good Morning, Illini Nation: Illinois targets thriving on shoe brand circuits
· Yahoo Sports
May 20—Class of 2027 Illinois commits Mason Martin and Quinton Kitt aren't the only recruits on the Illini's board faring well this spring. Here's a look at a half dozen uncommitted prospects (with an Illinois offer) that are playing well on the Nike and Adidas circuits:
Nasir Anderson, Prolific Prep (Calif.)
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Anderson ranks second on the Adidas 3SSB circuit in assists and is tied for 11th in scoring through two sessions for the Atlanta Celtics. The 6-foot-4 guard, a five-star, top 10 prospect in the Class of 2027, is averaging 18 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists and two steals and had a triple-double (16 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists) in an April 24 win against Mass Rivals.
Anderson Diaz, Overtime Elite
Diaz is another dual threat as a scorer and facilitator. The 6-1 guard ranks ninth on Nike's EYBL circuit in scoring and is 10th in assists, averaging 20.6 points, 4.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds. The 2027 four-star recruit has been efficient, as well as effective, on the offensive end as a 46/43/86 shooter for NY Rens.
NaVorro Bowman Jr., Notre Dame (Calif.)
Bowman might have a football lineage — his dad played seven seasons in the NFL — but he's thriving on the basketball court for Team Why Not on the EYBL circuit this spring. The 6-3 guard, a composite five-star recruit in the Class of 2027, had a 32-point game against NY Rens this spring and is averaging 19.9 points, three assists and 2.6 rebounds.
Caleb Ourigou, Overtime Elite
NY Rens also has one of the top big men in the EYBL in Ourigou, who is fifth on the circuit in both rebounding and blocked shots. The 6-10 center, a 2027 four-star, is putting up 13 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Ourigou has also been an efficient post scorer, connecting at a 66.1 percent clip.
Amarion Smith-Holley, Richwood
Fresh off an N-G All-State First Team caliber sophomore season at Richwoods, Smith-Holley is seventh in scoring on Nike's 16U circuit for Mac Irvin Fire. The 5-11 guard, a three-star prospect in the Class of 2028, averaged 22.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists this past weekend in Memphis, Tenn.
Brady Pettigrew, Bolingbrook
Pettigrew was also an N-G All-State First Team selection during his sophomore year at Bolingbrook. A composite five-star recruit in the Class of 2028, the 6-3 guard helped Brad Beal Elite go 3-1 in Memphis and averaged 21.3 points, four rebounds and 2.5 assists in the process.