CHAMPAIGN – How to describe the latest prospect to commit to the Illinois basketball program?

"Pau Gasol," said AAU coach Terrell Ramey, "I always tell people, he plays like Pau Gasol."

This time last year, Bruce Weber’s recruiting was under fire; Now it’s on fire, causing a buzz on the summer camp circuit.

Nine months into his tenure as an Illini assistant, Jerrance Howard is keeping busy on the recruiting trail.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – About a week before making his college choice, Nathan Scheelhaase sent an e-mail to Illinois quarterback Juice Williams.

All he wanted to know, Scheelhaase said, was "Would you pick Illinois if you had to do it all over again?"

On Sundays during the offseason, beat writer Paul Klee will take you around the world of college basketball.

You might need a GPS to track down Tyler Griffey.

France. Senegal. Mali. Los Angeles. Those are four of his stops in the last three weeks.

It isn't just the quantity that has the recruiting experts shaking their heads in amazement. It's the quality.

Almost seven months before signing day, Ohio State has 24 commitments. Rivals.com gives four stars or higher to 17 of the 24. The other seven are all three-star recruits.

CHAMPAIGN – Illinois coach Terri Sullivan announced five signees to her incoming freshman class Friday, bringing to 10 the number of new players for next season.