Illini offer rising sophomore wing
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2017 forward Justin Smith from Lincolnshire (Ill.) Stevenson has a family connection to Illinois, so the offer he picked up from John Groce this week definitely got his attention.
"It was a big moment in our family," Smith said about the Illini offer. "Both of my parents went to Illinois."
The 6-foot-6 Smith raised his stock during the high school season teaming with McDonald's All American Jalen Brunson to help lead Stevenson to a state title.
For the season, Smith averaged 10.3 points and more than 4 rebounds. He's now off to a fast start this spring playing up with the 16U Mac Irvin Fire on the AAU circuit.
Smith was one of several Illini offers that went out following the evaluation period over the weekend, including two of Smith's AAU teammates.
"When I called Coach Groce we talked about everything that they like about me, and all of the positives about Illinois," Smith said. "They offered a lot of players from inside Illinois. They are basically trying to keep us all home, and have us all play together."
Besides the family ties, Smith said he likes the idea of playing the Big Ten conference. He also noted the Illini's 2015 recruiting class, which ranks No. 16 in the nation according to Rivals.com.
Long and athletic, Smith is a run and jump athlete with an improving skill set and a very high ceiling. With Brunson moving on to the college ranks, many feel Smith will blow up this fall as the lone returning start at Stevenson.
Smith talked about his game, and the strong spring that led to the offer from Illinois.
"I project as a wing, because of my versatility, shooting ability, and athleticism," he said. "So far this spring it's been a good experience being able to play up and play the kind of style that the Fire plays."
The Illinois coaches were around the Stevenson program when they were recruiting Brunson, and Smith said he had become familiar with the staff. The Illini showed early interest, according to Smith, and it recently picked up.
Some visits could be in the plans this summer, but Smith said nothing is locked in yet. So far, he has offers from Illinois, Wake Forest, and Rice, so those schools could get the first visits.
It's very early in the recruiting process for Smith, as he gets to know coaches and become familiar with all of the program that are recruiting him. He named a handful that have been actively recruiting him of late.
"I've heard from Virginia, Nebraska, Wake Forest, Rice, Northwestern, DePaul, and Villanova," Smith said. "I'm just trying to take it all in and weighing all my options."
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