Offered/Committed Elsewhere 2019 - Francis Okoro, 6-9/225, C, Normal Community West HS

[Birdman85]

With very little knowledge of the situation I would say I like our chances of making the cut. Hometown team and has been around the program. In the end making the final 5 means nothing.

 

[Adunk33]

With very little knowledge of the situation I would say I like our chances of making the cut. Hometown team and has been around the program. In the end making the final 5 means nothing.

Slim. Very slim chances. But Zion Griffin had us in his final 4... so....yeah, means nothing to be in top 5.

 

[DannyCooksey]

With very little knowledge of the situation I would say I like our chances of making the cut. Hometown team and has been around the program. In the end making the final 5 means nothing.

well said. agreed.

but still......can't be the final 1 if you're not in the Final 5. LOL

 

[Jsnhbe1Birds]

I give it very little chance. Mainly because this isn't his "hometown team". He's moved around and has only been here for only a couple of years. He has no allegiances to ISU. He will go P5/Big East

 

[V Boy]

With very little knowledge of the situation I would say I like our chances of making the cut. Hometown team and has been around the program. In the end making the final 5 means nothing.

Slim. Very slim chances. But Zion Griffin had us in his final 4... so....yeah, means nothing to be in top 5.

It does mean something to be in the final 5 on these high-major recruits. It shows you who Muller is after. It shows you we are beating out other P5s to get into that position. It shows our brand next to the other brands, which creates a perception that we are a program on the rise. Building your brand takes a long time. Every single occasion where we are in a top 5 helps a little bit. It will eventually help us break through from time to time.

 

[Birdman85]

Brad Underwood is in person today at Pekin.

 

[isuquinndog]

Brad Underwood is in person today at Pekin.

https://twitter.com/hoijim/status/946403634165587968

 

[TIMMY]

With very little knowledge of the situation I would say I like our chances of making the cut. Hometown team and has been around the program. In the end making the final 5 means nothing.

Slim. Very slim chances. But Zion Griffin had us in his final 4... so....yeah, means nothing to be in top 5.

It does mean something to be in the final 5 on these high-major recruits. It shows you who Muller is after. It shows you we are beating out other P5s to get into that position. It shows our brand next to the other brands, which creates a perception that we are a program on the rise. Building your brand takes a long time. Every single occasion where we are in a top 5 helps a little bit. It will eventually help us break through from time to time.

exactly

 

[Bird Friend]

Pekin Holiday Tournament (Normal West = Champions)

12/27 vs. Limestone
NCWHS 59 - LHS 51 (Okoro had 14/7 and 1 block, drew 4 fouls)

12/28 vs. Lake Zurich
NCWHS 60 - LZHS 51 (Okoro had 22/12, 1 asst, 2 blocks, drew 9 fouls)

12/29 vs. Morton
NCWHS 48 - MHS 32 (Okoro had 10/6, 2 assts, 2 blocks, drew 4 fouls)

12/29 vs. Springfield Lanphier’
NCWHS 52 - SLHS 48 (Okoro had 19/14, 1 asst, 1 block, 1 steal, drew 12 fouls)

Interesting stat with “Fouls Drawn” — Okoro was 7-14 from the line in the championship game, 17-30 overall. The game against Morton saw a total of 3 free throws (2 by MHS, 1 by NCWHS) all missed.

 

[cpacmel]

https://twitter.com/hoijim/status/946958494380511237?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eios%7Ctwgr%5Ecom.apple.UIKit.activity.Message

 

[DannyCooksey]

He will look great playing next to Chris Payton in Redbird Arena starting in 2019.

 

[Redbird Alum 2004]

He will look great playing next to Chris Payton in Redbird Arena starting in 2019.

That would be a pretty fun front court to watch.

 

[johnaaa10]

He will look great playing next to Chris Payton in Redbird Arena starting in 2019.

 

[Jsnhbe1Birds]

Unfortunately no way that happens. Okoro isn't from here, hyas only been here a few years, wont even play all 4 years of high school here, and has no allegiances to the community or schools. He is bound for P5/Big East. I'd be floored if he came to ISU (but ecstatic)

 

[ISU FAN 1]

Pekin Holiday Tournament (Normal West = Champions)

12/27 vs. Limestone
NCWHS 59 - LHS 51 (Okoro had 14/7 and 1 block, drew 4 fouls)

12/28 vs. Lake Zurich
NCWHS 60 - LZHS 51 (Okoro had 22/12, 1 asst, 2 blocks, drew 9 fouls)

12/29 vs. Morton
NCWHS 48 - MHS 32 (Okoro had 10/6, 2 assts, 2 blocks, drew 4 fouls)

12/29 vs. Springfield Lanphier’
NCWHS 52 - SLHS 48 (Okoro had 19/14, 1 asst, 1 block, 1 steal, drew 12 fouls)

Interesting stat with “Fouls Drawn” — Okoro was 7-14 from the line in the championship game, 17-30 overall. The game against Morton saw a total of 3 free throws (2 by MHS, 1 by NCWHS) all missed.

It's a shame Phil will no longer be here to mentor Okoro on FT shooting.

 

[ISU FAN 1]

Unfortunately no way that happens. Okoro isn't from here, hyas only been here a few years, wont even play all 4 years of high school here, and has no allegiances to the community or schools. He is bound for P5/Big East. I'd be floored if he came to ISU (but ecstatic)

Seems like we sign a lot of players that aren't from here. Not sure what that has to do with anything. I think the local angle can only help. But then again, I'm a big make lemonade out of lemons guy.

 

[Bird Friend]

Unfortunately no way that happens. Okoro isn't from here, hyas only been here a few years, wont even play all 4 years of high school here, and has no allegiances to the community or schools. He is bound for P5/Big East. I'd be floored if he came to ISU (but ecstatic)

Seems like we sign a lot of players that aren't from here. Not sure what that has to do with anything. I think the local angle can only help. But then again, I'm a big make lemonade out of lemons guy.

But what if life gives you rotten tomatoes?

 

[redkerr1]

Unfortunately no way that happens. Okoro isn't from here, hyas only been here a few years, wont even play all 4 years of high school here, and has no allegiances to the community or schools. He is bound for P5/Big East. I'd be floored if he came to ISU (but ecstatic)

Okoro is very close to the family of Ayo Dosunmu.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

Unfortunately no way that happens. Okoro isn't from here, hyas only been here a few years, wont even play all 4 years of high school here, and has no allegiances to the community or schools. He is bound for P5/Big East. I'd be floored if he came to ISU (but ecstatic)

Okoro is very close to the family of Ayo Dosunmu.

Isn't there an Illini board you can hang out on? :roll:

 

[Birdswin]

I was at the West vs Danville game last night - terrible job by the refs last night. Danville was pushing, grabbing and holding Okoro with nothing called. Several other West parents who are ISU season ticket holders - we all said that type of defense is not allowed in college. Okoro is definitely a physical specimen, can play around the rim and can rebound. Comparable to Fayne, but a little more athletic - both similar touch on jump shots and free throws.