Jon Ekey said he is coming to Illinois State to play basketball. Another player from Chrisman High School in Independence, Mo., might be making the trip with him.
Ekey, a 6-foot-7 guard/forward, has given ISU a verbal commitment to sign a national letter of intent during the November signing period. He averaged 13.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 blocked shots per game as a junior for Chrisman last season, sinking 77 shots from 3-point range and twice blocking 10 shots in a game.
Chrisman coach John Vickers said 6-4½ guard Justin Clark, whose 25.6 scoring average was the best in Missouri last season, also is leaning toward committing to ISU. Vickers expects Clark to make a final decision in the next day or two.
“I’m telling him it would be great for us both to be there,” said Ekey.
Ekey played guard last season for Chrisman, which uses the fast-paced style popularized by Grinnell College in Iowa. Chrisman set a state-record with 342 3-point baskets in the 2007-08 season while compiling a 14-14 record in Class 5A, the largest class in Missouri.
“He’s very versatile and does a lot of things really well,” said Vickers. “The style of play Illinois State has and the freedom Coach (Tim Jankovich) gives and their attacking nature is similar to what we do with our own guys.”
Ekey said he had offers from four other Missouri Valley Conference schools ? Wichita State, Missouri State, Creighton and Drake ? as well as Santa Clara.
“In talking to Coach Jankovich he said they play hard defense and get up on opponents and try to force turnovers. That’s the way we always play,” said Ekey. “Offensively they’re not as fast as Grinnell, but he said they still shoot 3s and attack the basket. It’s the KU (Kansas) style they’re running.”
Vickers said Ekey’s biggest presence has come on the defensive end. His 151 blocked shots last season were No. 1 in Missouri.
Ekey played as a face-up power forward with his AAU team, the KC Pump N’ Run, which won two major national tournaments this summer. That’s the position he expects to play with ISU.
“I need to get bigger. I’m skinny now,” said Ekey, who weighs 180 pounds. “I have to try and put on a few pounds. I need to hit the weight room hard. In Division I you have to be faster and stronger.”
NCAA rules prohibit Jankovich from commenting on recruits until they sign.
“He (Jankovich) is the kind of guy Jon wanted to play for,” said Vickers. “He felt very comfortable with him and the staff and all Illinois State has to offer academically and basketball wise.”
Vickers said Ekey ranks No. 9 academically in a class of about 400.
Forward Kellen Thornton, who will be a walk-on for ISU this season, will receive one of the four available scholarships for the 2009-10 season. The Redbirds are expected to look for a power forward or center with the last scholarship if Clark commits.
Missouri recruit commits to ISU
Ekey, a 6-foot-7 guard/forward, has given ISU a verbal commitment to sign a national letter of intent during the November signing period. He averaged 13.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 blocked shots per game as a junior for Chrisman last season, sinking 77 shots from 3-point range and twice blocking 10 shots in a game.
Chrisman coach John Vickers said 6-4½ guard Justin Clark, whose 25.6 scoring average was the best in Missouri last season, also is leaning toward committing to ISU. Vickers expects Clark to make a final decision in the next day or two.
“I’m telling him it would be great for us both to be there,” said Ekey.
Ekey played guard last season for Chrisman, which uses the fast-paced style popularized by Grinnell College in Iowa. Chrisman set a state-record with 342 3-point baskets in the 2007-08 season while compiling a 14-14 record in Class 5A, the largest class in Missouri.
“He’s very versatile and does a lot of things really well,” said Vickers. “The style of play Illinois State has and the freedom Coach (Tim Jankovich) gives and their attacking nature is similar to what we do with our own guys.”
Ekey said he had offers from four other Missouri Valley Conference schools ? Wichita State, Missouri State, Creighton and Drake ? as well as Santa Clara.
“In talking to Coach Jankovich he said they play hard defense and get up on opponents and try to force turnovers. That’s the way we always play,” said Ekey. “Offensively they’re not as fast as Grinnell, but he said they still shoot 3s and attack the basket. It’s the KU (Kansas) style they’re running.”
Vickers said Ekey’s biggest presence has come on the defensive end. His 151 blocked shots last season were No. 1 in Missouri.
Ekey played as a face-up power forward with his AAU team, the KC Pump N’ Run, which won two major national tournaments this summer. That’s the position he expects to play with ISU.
“I need to get bigger. I’m skinny now,” said Ekey, who weighs 180 pounds. “I have to try and put on a few pounds. I need to hit the weight room hard. In Division I you have to be faster and stronger.”
NCAA rules prohibit Jankovich from commenting on recruits until they sign.
“He (Jankovich) is the kind of guy Jon wanted to play for,” said Vickers. “He felt very comfortable with him and the staff and all Illinois State has to offer academically and basketball wise.”
Vickers said Ekey ranks No. 9 academically in a class of about 400.
Forward Kellen Thornton, who will be a walk-on for ISU this season, will receive one of the four available scholarships for the 2009-10 season. The Redbirds are expected to look for a power forward or center with the last scholarship if Clark commits.
Missouri recruit commits to ISU
