2021 wing Jordan Nesbitt recaps Illinois visit
St. Louis 2021 four-star small forward Jordan Nesbitt was one of the many visitors on campus this weekend in Champaign to watch Illinois play Indiana, and, ultimately, get its 20th win of the season.
Nesbitt came into the weekend un-offered from the Illini, and Nesbitt said they haven’t done so “yet” but are “very interested.” Nesbitt said he may expect Illinois to extend an offer to him during AAU.
Nesbitt said he really enjoyed his visit to campus and having a chance to build more of a relationship with the Illinois coaching staff.
“I really like the environment and I think it’s somewhere I could play at it,” Nesbitt said. “The coaching staff told me that I fit their style of play. I’m a big guard, like Ayo (Dosunmu). They really like my game.”
This visit was also Nesbitt’s first opportunity to meet Illinois head coach Brad Underwood, who he met after the Indiana game on Sunday.
“Man, he’s a funny guy. After the game, he’s dancing and screaming at the guys after getting a big win. I really like that. I like a coach that shows a fun side and isn’t strictly “coach,” he can relate to us as well. I really like that from Coach Underwood.”
Nesbitt said he has the best relationship with Illinois assistant coach Orlando Antigua, who periodically checks in on him and was the coach who showed him around on his visit.
A coach who does that for players they’re recruiting is a coach that sticks out in the eyes of Nesbitt.
“He came to my practice and talked to me and was just checking up on me and was seeing how I was doing. I’m building a really good relationship with him,” Nesbitt said. “I love a coach that takes time out of their day to talk to a recruit and see how they’re doing. He doesn’t even ask or talk to me about coming to Illinois. He just asks me how I’m doing in school and how I’m doing in practice and how I’m doing with my grades. That really gets me, and I really like that.”
The 6-foot-6, St. Louis Christian Academy forward said he sees a snug fit for himself at Illinois as he’s really enjoyed watching the way Illinois has utilized Dosunmu.
“I like the way they’ve fit him in and getting him ready for the next level,” Nesbitt said. “I also like the way they all fit. Anybody can get their own shot and they’re not just one person. It’s really spread out.”
Illinois also being a destination that can develop guys into NBA players is something that’s also enticing about the program, Nesbitt said.
“I’ve been watching Ayo since he was at Morgan Park, so him committing to Illinois really opened my eyes for me,” he said.
Nesbitt currently holds six offers and said that Ole Miss, Nebraska and St. Louis University are the Top 3 schools that are currently showing the most interest, but he later added that if Illinois was to offer and actively recruit him, the school would rise significantly in his list of offers.
While Nesbitt’s decision of where he’s going to play college basketball is still a near ways away, he’s looking for a program that’s not going to give him the keys right away. He wants a school that’s going to make him work for it. He feels that’s the best way for him to achieve his dreams of playing in the NBA.
“Taking me in and helping me become a better person for the future when the basketball stops. Also helping me prepare my game and getting better every day and helping me get to the next level,” Nesbitt said. “I don’t want no coach coming in and telling me I can play right away. I feel like I’m the type of person that wants to work for something. I don’t need to come in and play right away. I’ve always been the underrated kid so I feel like I can always prove myself and get to the top so I feel like I need to be at a school that can help me prepare and get better each and every day.”