As expected, Fighting Illini basketball is a finalist for their top remaining recruiting target. On Tuesday night, four-star wing Jordan Goodwin (IL) narrowed his list to Illinois, Northwestern, Missouri, Butler, Alabama, Creighton, and St. Louis. Goodwin is the No. 48 overall player and No. 2 Illinois native in 247Sports' class-of-2017 composite rankings.
Thanks to all the coaches who took their time out and efforts into recruiting me but this is my top 7 pic.twitter.com/0lLXxv9fC2
— JGOOD〽️ (@jGoodwin1123) July 26, 2016
Two surprising exclusions from this list of seven are Michigan State and Texas. However, both programs are currently prioritizing other, more highly-ranked prospects at the same position. Goodwin also has scholarship offers from Purdue, Ohio State, Iowa, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, and Kansas State.
Goodwin was an absolute monster on the Nike EYBL circuit this Spring and Summer. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound prospect averaged 17.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game for the St. Louis Eagles; you can view his complete game log right here. Those performances led to the Illinois native becoming one of the highest stock-risers of the evaluation period, regardless of class.
Although everything could change once Goodwin begins taking official visits, I think Illinois' addition of Jeremiah Tilmon will ultimately be too much for other schools to overcome. The state's top two players seem to have a pretty great off-court relationship, and John Groce has been pitching an 'Illinois Super Class' for quite some time now. I highly doubt Goodwin goes elsewhere now that it's on the verge of actually happening.
Jordan Goodwin Highlights