Point guard Mark Smith chooses Illinois over Kentucky, Michigan State, others
Posted Apr 27, 2017
Mark Smith concluded his unprecedented rise from fire-balling pitching prospect to high-major basketball recruit when he pulled on a hat with an orange block I Wednesday. The Illinois Mr. Basketball and Illinois Gatorade player of the year, Smith chose to play for Illinois despite receiving more than 20 offers — including Kentucky, Michigan State, Missouri, Ohio State and Texas.
(St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Related: College Basketball Recruiting
ACC Basketball: 2026 Recruting SnapshotThe 2026 McDonald’s Game included four players who previously committed to ACC programs: No. 2 Cameron Williams (Duke), No. 10 Deron Rippey Jr. (Duke), No...
Sat Apr 4, 2026Illinois lands top-35 Class of 2026 guard, former Wake Forest commit Quentin Coleman
Illinois is preparing for a Final Four, but the Illini also got a big jump on reloading its roster for next season. A day before...
Fri Apr 3, 2026
McDonald's All-American Game box score, results: West wins while Arizona, Missouri commits shine
Despite being held in a 42-42 deadlock at half, the West used a 60-point second half to emerge victorious 102-86 over Team East. Missouri commitment...
Fri Apr 3, 2026
Latest update on Tyran Stokes’ decision timeline, NBA upside
Experts around the recruiting world believe the long-awaited commitment of top-recruit Tyran Stokes is nearing, with ESPN’s Paul Biancardi speculating that Stokes’ decision could come...
Thu Apr 2, 2026