Six Illini basketball newcomers look to make impact on the court
October 17, 2007
Six first-year Illini basketball players will be put on the spot during the next few weeks of practice as they fight for playing time. Here’s a look at each of them.
- Bill Cole– 6-feet-9, 210-pound, Forward, Peoria, Ill.
Cole will be fighting for a spot on the Illinois roster over the next few weeks and is one of a few candidates for a redshirt. A shoulder injury during the Illini’s preseason trip to Canada makes it difficult to assess how Cole fits into the offensive scheme.
Weber’s analysis: “Cole had the shoulder injury and he’s recovered from that. But it set him back a little bit. … But he’s showed some signs of knowing how to play, things we saw when we recruited him – the skill level, knowing how to play, passing the basketball.”
- Jeff Jordan– 6-feet-1, 185-pound, Guard, Highland Park, Ill.
Jordan benefits most from Jamar Smith redshirting this season and the unexpected ineligibility of recruit Quinton Watkins.
He averaged 15 points per game as a senior and was an All-State special mention by the Chicago Tribune.
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Weber’s analysis: “For me, it’s old school basketball (with Jordan). He has a nice little pull up jumper in the lane. I will give him credit, about halfway through the conditioning I wasn’t sure which way he would go, but he’s responded very positively.”
- Rodney Alexander– 6-feet-7, 225-pound, Forward, Benton Harbor, Mich.
Alexander averaged 13.8 points and 5.3 rebounds last year in his second season in junior college and was ranked the No. 14 junior college player in the country.
Weber’s analysis: “He has the body and the athleticism. Like all new guys, he has to figure out how hard to play – the running, the intensity level that you have on a daily basis. But he can do some things and he’s probably as talented as anybody we have on our team. He can do some things that other guys can’t do.”
- Mike Davis– 6-feet-9, 195-pound, Forward, Alexandria, Va.
Davis is a long, skinny forward with tremendous athleticism. He averaged 17.3 points his senior year and has been one of the fastest learners in the new group. He models his game after Tyrus Thomas.
Weber’s analysis: “I think he’s made as much improvement in a short amount of time of anybody I’ve been around. He has the physical ability and the basketball body – he’s long and lanky … I’m not sure (if he’s ready) this year. We just kind of have to see how productive he can be in the next few weeks.”
- Mike Tisdale– 7-feet-1, 215-pound, Center, Riverton, Ill.
Tisdale averaged 28.6 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks as a senior and has been a surprise to the coaching staff. Tisdale, depending on how he plays in the coming weeks and if he continues putting on weight, could develop as an interior presence alongside Shaun Pruitt.
Weber’s analysis: “He’s been kind of a shining spot for our team, for our coaches. We kind of knew he had skills, but his personality has really been positive. … He’s been a leader, pushing some of our older guys. That was totally unexpected. He’s been very focused.”
- Demetri McCamey– 6-feet-3, 205-pound, Guard, Bellwood, Ill.
McCamey has been described as having a build similar to former Illini Deron Williams. In the team’s preseason Canadian road trip, McCamey handled the ball while playing alongside Chester Frazier, something he could continue doing once the season starts.
Weber’s analysis: “McCamey showed some signs of being a true point guard, being able to create, get to the basket, get to the paint. He’s lost weight, he’s been committed to that since he’s got here, probably 12 pounds he’s thinned out. I know he’s very excited about it.”
