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Fighting Illini basketball’s coaching staff is back on the road this week to check in on some of their top recruiting targets. At least one assistant (likely accompanied by John Groce) was in Florida on Tuesday to visit three-star forward Mayan Kiir at Victory Rock Prep.
Illinois and Mississippi State at Victory Rock Prep to see Top 100 bigman, 2017 Mayan Kiir
— Scott Golden (@HoopExchange) September 13, 2016
Kiir is essentially the lone remaining big man on the program’s radar, and they’ll be looking to get him on campus for a visit in the coming months. With Louisville out of the picture thanks to Malik Williams’ recent commitment, Illinois’ primary competition for the 6-foot-9 prospect appears to be N.C. State, Mississippi State, and VCU.
Another Illini assistant was also in Chicago to scout Simeon Career Academy’s latest crop of talent at an open gym. Notable players in attendance presumably included 2018 point guard Kezo Brown and 2018 forward Messiah Jones.
Loyola, Eastern Illinois, Illinois, UIC, SIUE, Chicago St. all were in Simeons open gym today @SimeonNation
— ILLBALLERZ (@ILLBALLERZ) September 14, 2016
Wednesday is set to be another big day, too, as John Groce will be in Indianapolis for another visit with five-star wing Kris Wilkes. Wilkes wrapped up an official visit to Champaign this weekend and the Orange and Blue reportedly made a strong impression during the three-day pitch.
For @kadw31 this week. Crean (IU) in today, Groce (ILL) in tomorrow, Mack (XU) with an in-home on Thursday. UCLA was already in earlier
— Brian Snow (@BSnowScout) September 13, 2016
Wilkes also had in-home visits with Tom Crean (Indiana) and Steve Alford (UCLA) on Tuesday; Chris Mack (Xavier) is scheduled to stop by on Thursday. Additionally, the consensus Top-20 prospect has upcoming official visits scheduled to UCLA (9/22-9/24), Indiana (9/30-10/2), Xavier (10/28-10/30), and UConn (11/4-11/6).