Did you hear the news on Monday afternoon? Five-star big man Jeremiah Tilmon (IL) has committed to Fighting Illini basketball. The Illinois native became the program's highest-rated recruit of the John Groce era by opting for his home state school over the likes of North Carolina, Kansas, and Michigan State. That's pretty exciting!
But things may soon get even better for Illinois. The Orange and Blue still have three available scholarships for their 2017 recruiting class, which already ranks No. 2 in the nation behind UCLA. Tilmon is evidently very aware of this fact, and he's already recruiting four-star wing Jordan Goodwin to join him in Champaign.
Pressure on you now good @jGoodwin1123
— Jeremiah Tilmon (@jeremiahtilmon_) July 11, 2016
Goodwin, the star of Belleville-Althoff's Class-3A State title team, replaces Tilmon as Illinois' new No. 1 recruiting target. 247Sports has ranked the four-star wing as the No. 56 in the country, and he has other scholarship offers from Michigan State, Texas, Indiana, and a host of other high-major schools.
Goodwin spoke to Illini Inquirer's Derek Piper shortly after the Tilmon news broke; he stated that his commitment "definitely opened up his eyes for his own decision."
Belleville Althoff wing Jordan Goodwin tells me Jeremiah Tilmon's #Illini commitment: "Definitely opens up my eyes for my decision."
— Derek Piper (@DPiperScout) July 11, 2016
@jeremiahtilmon_ congrats big bro
— JGOOD〽️ (@jGoodwin1123) July 11, 2016
Fellow Illinois commits Javon Pickett and Da'Monte Williams also extended some welcomes to their new teammate over social media. Here are some of the other highlights from Twitter.
@jeremiahtilmon_ congrats my brother
— Javon Pickett (@JavonPickett) July 11, 2016
Welcome to the family bro @jeremiahtilmon_
— Monte (@DAWilliams14) July 11, 2016
Congrats to my brother J-Till on his commitment to Illinois @jeremiahtilmon_
— Brian Bowen (@20tugs) July 11, 2016
Congrats big bro ‼️ @jeremiahtilmon_ https://t.co/Tdqn5DG88r
— Tyger Campbell (@tygercampbell15) July 11, 2016
#Illini #WeWillWin pic.twitter.com/ZuLmxfdMal
— Illini Basketball (@IlliniMBB) July 11, 2016