Illinois checks on priority big man Castleton

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4-star power forward Colin Castleton from Daytona Beach (Fla.) Father Lopez continues to be a top priority for Illinois and Coach Brad Underwood.

Underwood stopped by Castleton's high school on Monday to check in with him. We spoke to Castleton to get his take on the visit.

Castleton had just finished a workout when Underwood arrived. The Illinois coach spent some time talking basketball with Castleton and getting to know his family.

"It was good, Castleton said about he visit. "I was at school working out, and he came after that and my parents came to join in. He was there for almost two hours talking to my family. My mom is getting to know him really well and so is my stepdad, so its going good."

Illinois hosted Castleton for an official visit two weeks ago, and that trip went very well.

During his official visit and the talks he had on Monday with Underwood, Castleton said Illinois is making it known that he's very high on its recruiting board. He has had a long-term relationship with assistant coach Orlando Antingua, and is now getting to know the Illini head coach better.

"Right now, they really want me and I'm a priority," he said. "I'm trying build a relationship with Coach Underwood. I feel like it's headed in a really good direction. I'm liking Coach Underwood a lot. The more I get to know him he seems like a really good person to be around and be coached by."

Castleton had a strong July on the AAU circuit and he know holds over 15 offers. Purdue was in to see him over the weekend and Michigan head coach John Beilein will be in to see him on Wednesday. Castleton said Baylor is also supposed to drop by soon.

He took an official visit to Florida and now has a trip Purdue on the last weekend of September. Castleton said he may take his last two officials, but he hasn't decided where those will be to yet.

Florida recently offered Castleton, and that was a big offer for him.

"They say they really want me to commit and stuff like that, like most schools," Castleton said about the Gators. "People think they I was going to commit right away, but that's not the case. I'm just going to wait it out and get to know all of the coaches really well. I had a pretty good visit there."

Next up is the trip to West Lafayette. Castleton said Purdue is intriguing to him because of the program's success in developing big men.

"Over the years they have established themselves as a really good school in the Big Ten," he said. "The big players touch the ball on just about every possession. I just have to see how they are going to use me because I'm a different type of big man and try to be position-less. They have had big guys more in the post. "

Though he doesn't have a specific timeline for his final college decision, Castleton said he will likely commit in late October.