Men's BasketballRecruiting

Creighton Bluejays Basketball Recruiting Update (May 2014)

Creighton is grinding hard out on the recruiting scene. We here at WBR will profile some of the names we are hearing that Creighton is pursing the hardest. Offers italicized. 

Alex Illikainen :: 6’9” :: (Grand Rapids) :: Howard Pulley

Alex Illikainen Spring 2014

Anyone who follows Creighton recruiting is well aware of just how much Creighton likes Alex. Illikainen has been a top priority of the staff for over three years now. The staff has seen Alex develop from an active player on both ends of the floor, to a player with a special ability to always put himself in good spaces on the floor. Illikainen is a dominate rebounder who commands the paint. The biggest improvement in Alex’s game has been his outside shot. He possess a polished stroke and when coupled with his talent of finishing around the rim makes him one of the most complete players in the mid-west.

EYBL Sacramento Stat-Line :: 7.3ppg – 3.5rpg (71.5% from 3)

Recruiting Update :: Minnesota, Creighton, California, Oregon, Providence, Wisconsin, Iowa State, & Indiana

Henry Ellenson :: 6’10” :: (Rice Lake) :: Wisconsin Playground Elite

Henry Ellenson 2013 Highlights

Ellenson is 6’10” post player with the skill set of a point guard. He runs the floor well, is a terrific passer and has a very impressive outside shot for someone with his frame. Ellenson is more than capable of backing down any player his age, but can also step out onto the wing and take players off the dribble. He has the ability to guard someone on the wing, but can also face guard a true post. There are things I’ve seen Henry do that I’ve never seen anyone his size accomplish. He has one of the more diverse games in the 2015 class and is looking to make an impact from the day he steps onto a college campus. At Creighton Henry would likely be given the opportunity to start right away.

EYBL Sacramento Stat-Line :: 11.8ppg – 9.3rpg – 1.8apg – 1.5 (30.7% from 3)

Recruiting Update :: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Duke, Michigan State, Creighton & Iowa

Glynn Watson :: 5’11” :: (St. Joseph) :: Illinois Wolves

Glynn Watson @ JayHawk Invitational

Newsflash, Creighton is targeting Chicago. Hard. Case and point is the recruitment of St. Joseph point guard Glynn Watson. Watson has the perfect combination of tough and smooth. He enjoys contact in the lane yet never loses his composure. Despite his uncanny ability to get to the hoop he is primarily a pass first guard. He plays for St. Joseph and Illinois Wolves, two of the most respected programs in the area, and has already played in some high-level, high-stakes games already in his career. Like all of Coach Mullins Illinois Wolves players, Watson is a solid defender who plays suffocating defense on opposing guards. Glynn knows when to pass and when to look for his own points. He recently hit the game winner at the JayHawk Invitational and was seen as one of the top players in the tournament.

Recruiting Update :: Creighton, Nebraska, Purdue & Iowa

Matt McQuaid :: 6’6” :: (Duncanville)  :: Team Texas Elite

McQuaid is a player who fits exactly what Creighton is trying to do moving forward. The 6’6′ Texan oozes athleticism and basketball smarts. Yet, the wing is mostly known for his ability behind the three point line. Creighton has had Matt up for a few games last season including Senior Night against Providence. McQuaid reportedly came away thoroughly impressed and has long claimed Creighton is one of his favorites. McQuaid is no longer a hidden treasure, playing with Team Texas Elite in the EYBL will expose him to a number of top coaches in the nation and he should see recruiting pick up.

EYBL Sacramento Stat-Line :: 8.3ppg – 4.8rpg – 1.8apg (25% from 3)

Recruiting Update :: Creighton, SMU, Michigan & Marquette

Matt Milon :: 6’4” :: (Oviedo) :: Q6 All Stars

Creighton is quickly gaining a reputation as a program known for it’s elite shooters. From Korver to McDermott, the Jays are using the “Shooter U” moniker to attract some of the nation’s deadliest shooters. Enter Matt Milon. Milon is widely regarded as one of the best marksmen in the 2015 class. Watching film of Milon is impressive. He makes the net splash. His mechanics are perfect. The 6’4” lefty has good size for the shooting guard spot with a body that can take the pounding the Big East will certainly offer.

Recruiting Update :: Creighton, Florida State, Purdue, Boston College, & Michigan

Cody Schwartz :: 6’7” :: (West De Pere) :: Wisconsin Blizzard

Cody Schwartz @ NY2LA Spring Extravaganza

Schwartz has been a recruiting priority for this staff for over two years now. Creighton was one of the first schools involved with Cody when the Jays called the Valley there home. Despite the move into the Big East Cody remains a top target as his game, like McQuaid translates into what the Jays are hoping to accomplish with their roster. Schwartz plays the all important stretch four position, with the ability at 6’7” to drain any open shot, yet has the body and skill to defend the post. Check out these highlights from this tournament last week. His game is eerily similar to a few Creighton Bluejays I can remember, I mean he even wears an under-shirt!

Recruiting Update :: Creighton, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Marquette, & Northern Iowa

Aaron Falzon :: 6’7” :: (Northfield Mount Hermon) :: Expression’s Elite

Aaron Falzon 2013-2014 Season Highlights

Falzon is the definition of a skilled big. His game is predicated on his outside abilities, but attempt to take that aspect of his game away and he will drive past you and finish strong at the rim. Falzon is one of the more under-valued players in the entire class. I believe he has the ability to be a All-Conference type player by the time he finishes his college career. Look for the Jays to remain highly interested in this Prep School prospect.

Recruiting Update :: Boston College, Northwestern, Providence, Creighton, Rhode Island, Penn State, & Dayton

Kain Harris :: 6’4” :: (St. Rita) :: Chicago Meanstreets

Kain is quickly becoming a recruiting priority for the Jays. His play for Illinois high school state champions Morgan Park help catapult him into national relevance. Kain drips with confidence, something that has helped him earn the nickname “Baby Kobe,” for his tendency to want the ball in the clutch and produce when it matters the most. Harris has an excellent frame and seems to get better every week. Harris is extremely under-recruited and should see a host of new schools come in to play following this summer’s EYBL season, however Creighton was one of the first schools on Kain and has a really good relationship with he and his family.

EYBL Sacramento Stat-Line :: 5.3ppg – 2.3rpg – 1.3apg  (25% from 3)

Recruiting Update :: Creighton, Minnesota, DePaul, Virginia Tech, & Oklahoma

Jalen Adams :: 6’1” :: (Cushing Academy) :: Mass Rivals

Jalen Adams @ Adidas Gaunlet

Adams is widely considered one of best combo guards in the nation for 2015. He leads Cushing Academy a perennial powerhouse in the New England Prep School league. . Adams like most lead guards, Jalen has outstanding vision and is one quickest players with the ball I’ve ever seen. At 6’1” Adams has little problem finishing at the rim and is at his best when he breaks down his own man and is forced to make quick decisions.

Recruiting Update :: UConn, Kansas, Creighton, & Georgia Tech

Billy Wampler :: 6’6” :: (Regis) :: D1 Minnesota

Billy Wampler @ Comets Shootout

Every season a player seems to burst onto the AAU scene and really climb into the national spotlight. This season that player is undoubtedly Billy Wampler. The 6’6” wing from Wisconsin had an excellent high school season and has transitioned that nicely into a productive start to the AAU season. Wampler succeeds at any position on the floor. He can shoot, pass, rebound, defend, and is seen as one of the vocal leaders on his team. His has sneaky athleticism and is tough to defend as he can finish at the rim, has a good mid-range game, and is a solid three point shooter.

Recruiting Update :: Creighton, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Marquette, & Stanford

Christian James :: 6’5” :: (Bellaire) :: Houston Hoops

James is the pure definition of a scoring guard. He has great size and abilities with the ball in his hands. He is a constant threat to score from nearly anywhere in the flow of an offense. At 6’5” he is a tough match-up for most 2’s and would be lethal in the McDermott’s system coming off screens and cutting to the hoop. Creighton has been very active in his recruitment and look for James to visit Creighton in the near future. James is the elite type of athlete Creighton has missed out on in the past while a member of the MVC, we’ll see if he is the type of player Creighton wants to sign moving forward.

EYBL Sacramento Stat-Line :: 9.3ppg – 4.3rpg – 0.8apg (25% from 3)

Recruiting Update :: Oklahoma, Creighton, Houston, & Alabama

Chris Clarke :: 6’5” :: (Cape Henry Collegiate) :: Boo Williams

Clarke is a lunch-pail type of wing. He does the little things on the court that produce wins. He has a high-major motor to go along with an improving skill set. He puts himself in the right places on the floor with be dangerous on the offensive end, and prides himself on tough, in your face defense.

EYBL Sacramento Stat-Line :: 11.5ppg – 6.5rpg – 2apg

Recruiting Update :: Maryland, Creighton, Virginia Tech, Minnesota, Miami, & VCU

Donovan Mitchell :: 6’4” :: (Brewster Academy) :: The City

Mitchell is the growing crop of North Eastern based recruits Creighton is beginning to get involved with. Mitchell is great scorer who prides himself on getting to the basket with his speed and strength, yet does posses a good jump shot. Mitchell is being chased by a number of top schools in the Big East, with Creighton being near the top of his list. At 6’4” Donovan is being recruited as both a point guard as well as scoring guard, at Creighton I believe he would fit in as more of a scorer than distributor.

Recruiting Update :: Providence, Boston College, Creighton, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Cincinnati & Iowa

Terance Mann :: 6’5” :: (Tilton School) :: BABC

Mann is a highly emotional player who is best when attacking the basket. Mann plays with an aggressiveness that Creighton seemed to lack at times this year. He is active on he boards and in the passing lanes. Mann is the next in line of the many talented New England Prep school scoring guards. He has a similar game to former Xavier player Semaj Christon in that he is elusive with the ball and can contort his body a number of ways while still getting his shot up. Mann is also a

EYBL Sacramento Stat-Line :: 8.3ppg  – 7.3rpg – 3.3apg

Recruiting Update :: Florida State, Boston College, Creighton, Marquette, & Virginia Tech

Juwan Morgan :: 6’8” :: (Waynesville) :: MoKan Elite

Morgan is an solid athlete who is active both on the offense and defensive ends of the floor. He battles for loose balls and has a knack for finding a rebound over big players. He is a good finisher with both hands and quick with the ball in the post.

EYBL Sacramento Stat-Line ::  6.8ppg – 4.3apg – 1rpg

Recruiting Update :: Creighton, Missouri State, & Vanderbilt

Ed Morrow :: 6’8” :: (Simeon) :: Mac Irvin Fire

Morrow dunks everything. He is a big time athlete with a nose for the rim. He is electric in the open court. He is originally from Nebraska as his parents both attended UN-L, who is seen as one of the leaders for his services. Morrow reportedly took and unofficial visit to Creighton last month and has the Jays near the top of his list of potential suitors.

EYBL Sacramento Stat-Line :: 15ppg – 9rpg

Recruiting Update :: Nebraska, Florida State, Minnesota, Creighton, Iowa & DePaul

Jimmy Whitt :: 6’4” :: (Columbia-Hickman) :: KC Run GMC

Jimmy Whitt @ JayHawk Invitational

Whitt is a wiry guard who has a lethal jump shot and floater in the lane. He can both initiate the team’s offense or work himself around screens to get his own shot. He is brave in the lane and has under-rated athleticism. Whitt is not the biggest or best athlete on the floor but seems to consistently dominate the game.

Recruiting Update :: Arkansas, Creighton, Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, Wichita State, Minnesota, Kansas & Nebraska

LuWane Pipkins :: 5’11” :: (Bogan Preparatory) :: Mac Irvin Fire

Pipkins is an electric lead guard. He is one of the more talented players in Illinois and is beginning to burst onto the national scene following good showings with Mac Irvin Fire. Pipkins’ recruitment has been slowed because his size is often used against him when discussing rather he can replicate his high school scoring prowess in the NCAA. Pipkins has been hunted by a number of mid-majors but it being closely monitored by the Jays. Be on the look out for Pipkins to visit the Hilltop sooner than later.

EYBL Sacramento Stat-Line :: 19.6ppg – 3rpg – 2.3apg (38.7% from 3)

Recruiting Update :: Illinois, Illinois State, Bradley, Purdue, Creighton, DePaul, & UMass

Davon Dillard :: 6’5” :: (Bowman Academy) :: Mac Irvin Fire

Davon Dillard @ Future’s Camp

Dillard is a strong wing player who plays with incredible bounce. He prefers to finish everything with a dunk and is capable of not only putting the ball on the court to blow by defenders, but can also finish above bigger players in the lane.

EYBL Sacramento Stat-Line :: 13ppg – 5.7rpg – 1.7apg (42.6 from 3)

Recruiting Update :: Purdue, Iowa, Indiana, Creighton, & Michigan State

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