Interest picking up for Chicago swingman
Chicago Whitney Young junior-to-be Joseph Toye is running with the 16U Meanstreets squad this July. The 6-foot-7 swingman says the competition has been strong - especially during a trip to the Nike Peach Jam earlier this month.
The top competition has helped Toye get a better feel for what he needs to work on and has resulted in a better all-around skill set.
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"It's going pretty good," Toye said about his development this summer. "I'm learning a lot just playing against all those great players. I've been improving everything about my game - my ball handling, my jump shot, getting to the basket."
Long and athletic, Toye plays mostly at the small forward spot but he sees himself as a versatile wing who can eventually play at the shooting guard spot in college.
"I'm just a wing in general," Toye said. "I'm working on my ball handling so I can play more at the 2."
On the recruiting front, interest is picking up steam for Toye, who ranks No. 55 nationally in the class of 2015.
"I got an offer from Memphis on the 4th of July," Toye said. "I already have offers from Creighton, Providence, Auburn, Bradley, and UIC. I've heard from Dayton, Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan State. No favorites yet"
Illinois has five scholarships to give in 2015, and Toye is a player John Groce and his staff will take a long look at. They were in Highland, Indiana to watch Toye in action this past weekend at the Chicago Summer Jam.
The Illini haven't offered yet, but Toye said he is getting a good vibe from the Illinois staff.
"I took a visit to Illinois a couple of weeks back," Toye said. "I know they were here watching me this weekend. Coach Groce and Coach Parham were both here. They said they were going to see me play before they offered me."
Toye says he will "definitely" be interested in Illinois if they decide to pull the trigger on an offer.
"First off, it's real close to home so my parents could always come see me play," Toye said. "And it's a great environment. I feel like it would be a great opportunity to play in the Big Ten."
Next up for the Meanstreets 16's is a trip to Las Vegas this weekend for the Fab 48.