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Julian Wright Now Figures To Be The Center Of Attention For Illinois
Brian Stinnette
November 6, 2003
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Having lost the recruiting battle for the services of Shaun Livingston to Duke, Illinois now figures to shift its in-state recruiting focus to landing Homewood-Flossmoor’s Julian Wright. Wright is the Chicago Hoops #1-ranked Class of 2005 prospect in the state of Illinois.
The battle to sign Julian Wright figures to be just as fierce as the war to land Shaun Livingston. Wright, who checks in at 6-8, is best described as a point forward. In addition to being the top Class of 2005 prospect in the state of Illinois, Wright also rates among the top players nationally in his class.
In addition to Illinois, Wright is high on the shopping list of a number of other major college basketball programs. Indiana, Arizona, Kansas and Purdue are just a few of Wright’s suitors. Look for the level of pursuit to intensify over the course of the next year. Wright’s Homewood-Flossmoor high school team figures to be one of the best in Illinois, and Wright will also lead the Illinois Warrior’s 17-U AAU squad that will be among the best in the country next summer.
Wright is nothing short of electrifying on the basketball court. He is superb in transition, and loves to put both his passing and dunking skills on display. Earlier this fall, Wright told Chicago Hoops that playing on the AAU circuit in the summer gives him a chance to really open up his game.
Wright, who could top out at 6-10, is working hard to add both weight and muscle. Even more frightening for Wright’s opponents is the fact that he is only now getting totally healthy. Last year, Wright missed a number of games with a respiratory illness that greatly impacted his ability to breathe.
Illinois should have Dee Brown and Deron Williams in their backcourt for the next three years. Thus, losing Shaun Livingston was not a devasting blow. However, Illinois will need a strong Class of 2005 recruiting class. Landing Wright, and one of their post targets, 6-9 David Palmer (Nashville, TN) or 6-11 Clarence Holloway (Chicago Harlan), will ensure that Champaign remains stocked with talent for years to come.
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