Illinois State’s Quartet
Thirty-nine miles to the east of Bradley, is arch-rival Illinois State. The league favorite Redbirds have four highly rated rookies of their own. Coach Ryan Pedon landed two players sandwiched between Zobrist and Richardson in the Illinois rankings.
Reginal recruits Nick Allen (sixth) and Tyereek Coleman (fifth) are major steals for Pedon. Coleman is a 3.86 star recruit that was twice named an all-state performer.
“He’s a two-way player walking in the door,” said Pedon. “He can really defend and he’s got some physical gifts in terms of quickness and just being a dynamic athlete.”
He finished his career as Waubonsie Valley’s all-time steals leader (168) and tallied over 1,300 prep points.
Allen is a 6’11, two-time all-state player from nearby Bradley-Bourbonnais High School. He was his school’s all-time leading scorer (1,596) and during his senior year averaged twenty-one points and 13 rebounds per game.
Pedon says he can also defend.
“He has a bright, very bright future,” said Pedon. “He doesn’t get enough credit for defending, blocking shots, rebounds and he’s got a good low post game.”
‘Out of towners’ Mason Klabo (North Dakota) and Isaac Erickson (North Carolina) come higly regarded too.
Pedon says the 6’2 Klabo is an elite scorer. He is his STATE’s all-time leading scorer with 2,395 points. While scoring 27.5 points-per-game, he still managed to hand out 5.9 assists and grab 7.9 rebounds per game.
Pedon likens the 3.71 star’s compeititveness to that of all-league Redbird guard Johnny Kinziger.
Erickson is another talented and tall recruit. The 6’9 rookie is also his school’s all-time leading scorer with nearly 1,900 points. Twice, Erickson won his conference’s player of the year award and was a McDonald’s All-American Game nominee.
Pedon says Erickson is the type of player Valley schools can't normally recruit, but his parents have Midwest roots and were willing to listen to his recruiting message.
“He can shoot and is very versatile,” said Pedon. “He’s a really good passer and a very driven and motivated young man.”