2019 big man talks Illinois visit

Illinois got an early start in the recruitment of 2019 power forward E.J. Liddell, extending an offer to the Belleville (Ill.) West product this past June.

The 6-foot-7 Liddell was in Champaign over the weekend for an unofficial visit.

“I liked the campus, and the football game,” Liddell said. I got to talk to the coaches about more than just basketball. I got to watch the team scrimmage.”

Saturday was Liddell’s second trip to Illinois this year. He was in Champaign over the summer when Illinois offered.

On this trip, Liddell watched the Illini practice at the Ubben basketball facility. He talked about what stood out to him.

“How intense they were, and how the coaches got after them when they weren’t doing things right,” he said. “I love how they work the ball inside, and they run the offense through their big men.”

Liddell said he has gotten to know the coaches at Illinois, including head coach John Groce and assistant Jamall Walker, who recruits the St. Louis area for Illinois.

“I like Coach Groce a lot,” Liddell said. “He sees me improving and playing both the 3 and the 4 position when I get older and improve my ball handling skills.”

Basketball practice begins at Belleville West in two weeks, and Liddell is looking forward to the season getting started. As a freshman last year, he averaged 18 points and six rebounds per game.

At a recent open gym, several college coaches were at Belleville West too see Liddell in action.

There were coaches here from Iowa, Butler, Bradley, Kansas State, St. Louis U, and DePaul,” Liddell said. “Coach Walker from Illinois was down here.”

Liddell says he has taken an unofficial visit to St. Louis U, and might make stops soon at Kansas State and Iowa.