Tyler Griffey, among other things, is glad his recruiting process is finally over. The 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward currently plays for Lafayette High School in Missouri and for a while considered attending his home-state university instead of Illinois. It was a toss-up, he said, between the two.

But on Wednesday, Illinois head coach Bruce Weber announced that Griffey, a top-100 recruit, signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Illinois next season. He is joined by guards Joseph Bertrand, D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul, also top-100 recruits, to comprise Weber’s best class in his six-year career at Illinois.

But what are Griffey’s plans for the rest of his high school career? Who influenced him the most to attend Illinois? And what does he expect from college?

The Daily Illini spoke to Griffey on the phone during his drive home from basketball practice, his third of the season on Wednesday. He assured us he was driving safely, by the way.

Daily Illini: Tyler, why’d you choose Illinois?

Tyler Griffey: I have a really good relationship with Coach Weber, Coach Price, they’ve been recruiting me for a long time. The three guards committing, Joe, Brandon and D.J., that’s what put me over the edge. I cannot wait to play with those guys, those great group of guys, because they’re all such good ball players. That, and the style of offense that coach Weber runs, it just seems like a perfect fit.

DI: What about Illinois specifically influenced you?

TG: When I came up there for a visit I just loved it, loved the college atmosphere, the football games, the basketball games. I loved every aspect of it. I’m really happy that I finally got it over with and signed today. It really came down to Mizzou and Illinois, and I liked Illinois a lot better.

DI: Tell me about the guys you’ve committed with. What are your expectations for you four?

TG: I’ve talked to them, we’re all eager to get up there and work as hard as we can. Hopefully that will take us where we want to go. I’m not going to set any goals or anything for us at this time but I know all of us are eager to push each other.

DI: What do you expect from your senior season in high school? What are you hoping for?

TG: A state championship. I’m working real hard at it, we just had our third practice. We’re just trying to come together now. We have a lot of work to do. I’ve been to sectionals twice and district finals. I at least want to make it to the final four this season.

DI: Who on the current Illinois roster has influenced you the most to come here? Who have you been talking to?

TG: I’ve been talking to Dominique Keller a lot. He’s a funny dude, he’s a real good dude. He’s been talking to me and messing with me and I’ve grown to know him. He’s a real good player.

He said everyone around there makes it so much easier for him. He said the coaches help him, academic advisors help him, his teammates help him, and I’m really looking forward to being a part of that. He said he’ll be helping us four freshman next year feel like family.

DI: Can you briefly describe how you play?

TG: My strength is playing multiple positions. I can play the two, three or four. Right now my strong point is playing the four and that’s probably where I’ll play my freshman year at college. Then once I show coaches that I can play quicker I could be a Big Ten three guard, and I’ll probably do that more and more.

DI: Specifically, what are you expecting from college compared to high school?

TG: I really don’t know. I know that off-season workouts are going to be a lot more intense. Everything is going to be a lot more intense. The level of play will be higher, I’m looking forward to new challenges and I’m looking forward to starting over. I’m excited to play against new guys, I’m really looking forward to it.

DI: So, do you dream about being at Illinois right now?

TG: (Laughs) My dad always tells people that if I could go up there tomorrow, I’d be there. I’d be up there in a heartbeat.