John Wilkins LOI to Illinois State

[tropicalshox]

Wilkins, the son of former Utah Jazz's Jeff Wilkins, has just come over to the US from France and is playing with the Illinois Wolves in Las Vegas. Hoopmaster is reporting 20 schools, including WSU are about to offer him a scholarship. John is a 2008 high school graduate and is listed in the class of 2008. He is French speaking and has dual citizenship. The Wolves' coach says he is an outstanding shooter with great size (6-9), athleticism, and good passing skills. The Wolves are 4-0 in pool play at the Reebok Summer Championship with John. I know he scored 12 points in one game for his new team.

Jeff Wilkins is a former star with Illinois State. He finished his career in Belgium and remained in Europe. Illinois State is one of the interested schools. Others named by Hoopmasters are Indiana, DePaul, Providence, Rhode Island, Dayton, St. John's, Bradley, Butler, Valparaiso, TCU and Baylor.

I'll put him on the 2008 recruiting summary and we'll see what happens.

http://www.chicagohoops.com/articles1/wolvesvegas.html

edit- some more on Wilkins in this Bradley article about 2/3's down:

http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x2109422850/Ex-BU-player-to-have-working-German-honeymoon

[Snapshot9]

This could be the most important sentence in the pjstar article:

"By the way, back home in Belgium is another Wilkins, John's little brother, who already is 7 feet tall at age 14."

[wushock]

Why would we offer a scholorship. Hatch or EO

[Ricky Del Rio]

Why would we offer a scholorship. Hatch or EO

Why does the second sentence mean?

[wushock]

We were talking about offering Wilkens a scholorship. What it means is whose place does he take EO or Hatch. Not to hard to figure out

[rrshock]

Obviously a scholly has to open to offer this kid. Unfortunately I would guess Hatch, since he isn't around this summer.

[The Mad Hatter]

Obviously a scholly has to open to offer this kid. Unfortunately I would guess Hatch, since he isn't around this summer.

That assumes that he is in the class of 08 and not going to prep school or something.

[tropicalshox]

http://indiana.scout.com/2/773370.html

This article says he has 40 to 50 offers. Wilkins will submit his paperwork to the Clearinghouse after playing in a tournament in Phoenix this week. It sounds like he plans on playing D-1 basketball this year.

No favorites or front runners yet.

[shocker856]

I'm kinda curious to why we are continuing offering scholarships to 08 players any idea why???

[tropicalshox]

I wouldn't bet much that we will offer. We were mentioned as one of the many who are on the verge of doing so, but I'm sure some of these 50 or so schools will not. Illinois State was also mentioned and they also have no room on their roster. Some are probably just interested and wish there was some way. Since Wilkins has only been here for 2 weeks, it probably wasn't known if he would be interested in a prep placement or not. It looks like the answer to that is no. With so many schools making contact I doubt if those helping John out really knew at the time of the article which schools will actually offer.

On the other hand, somebody mentioned Hatch and EO. Hatch deciding not to return or EO not being eligible until next year are the only way I see a possible scholarship being available.

[rrshock]

On the other hand, somebody mentioned Hatch and EO. Hatch deciding not to return or EO not being eligible until next year are the only way I see a possible scholarship being available.

It's the only options, seeing as how everyone else is here and taking summer classes already. Makes you wonder though why WSU would show up on an 08 guy this late in the game, no matter what the circumstances are.

[pinstripers]

We have 13 guys that may not be here in the fall. If we offer, it's because the coaches know something we don't know. I agree that Hatch and EO are the most obvious possibilities.

[SubGod22]

Prep school is why. This late in the game I'd bet most schools were looking for that route.

[tropicalshox]

Wilkins is named to the all-tournament team at the 32 team Desert Duel event. His team lost in double overtime by a point in the championship game.

[calfan]

Another possibility would be if Mantas can't come back (No inside knowledge he can't).