State’s top sophomore still sold on Illinois

February 15, 2008
John Brumbaugh

From ChicagoSports.com:

Richmond laughs when asked if there’s any chance he could pull an Eric Gordon on the Illini. Gordon reneged on his commitment and wound up at Indiana.

“That’s not going to happen,” said Richmond, rated the nation’s No. 2 sophomore by recruiting analyst Van Coleman. “And that’s nothing against Eric Gordon. He did what he felt was best for him, and I can respect that.

“I’m even more excited about my commitment (last year) to Illinois after seeing all the top recruits they are getting. (Juniors) Brandon Paul (of Warren) and D.J. Richardson (Peoria Central) are guys I know pretty well.

“Then you’ve got 6-9 Stan Simpson (Simeon senior) and also Joseph Bertrand (Sterling junior). Man, I almost forgot about Crandall Head (of Rich South, ranked by some the No. 2 sophomore in the state behind Richmond).”