Bruce Weber has locked up more help for the next two seasons, and he continues to recruit the next generation of Illini.
Forward Dominique Keller of Lee Community College in Baytown, Texas, committed to Illinois on Monday. The Illini will need help along the front line next season because of the departure of their top two rebounders, Shaun Pruitt and Brian Randle.
And for the second year in a row, Weber has offered a scholarship to a high school freshman. Last year Jereme Richmond of Waukegan committed early, but Bartonville Limestone point guard Donivine Stewart is going to take his time.
Keller, who is 6 feet 7 inches and 220 pounds, averaged 25.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game this season. The native of Port Arthur, Texas, chose Illinois over Oklahoma State and Oregon State and had earlier interest from Kansas State.
Keller takes the scholarship slot of Brian Carlwell, who announced plans to transfer two weeks ago. Weber saw Keller play last week, and Keller attended Illinois’ home games against Minnesota and Michigan State last week. Assistant coach Jerrance Howard spearheaded his recruiting, and Keller spent time with guards Jamar Smith and Alex Legion, who are redshirting.
“Coach Howard is half the reason I’m going to Illinois, and Jamar and Alex are the other half,” Keller said. “They have a starting spot open at forward.”
Asked to describe himself as a player, he said he was “versatile and unorthodox.”
“He has an unusual style,” Lee coach Roy Champagne said. “He doesn’t score like Ray Allen, but he puts the ball in the basket. He doesn’t have a low-post game like Dwight Howard, but at the end of the game, he has stats.”
Meanwhile, Limestone coach Dan Sparrow said Stewart was in no hurry to decide where he’d attend college.
“We’re trying to see what the best course of action is,” Sparrow said. “He’s very flattered they want him to be one of the first in the Class of 2011. Who wouldn’t want to play for the state school? But he has to look at his options.”
Stewart averaged 24.3 points, 4.7 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 steals for Limestone, which finished 19-8.
Stewart, 15, is 5-11. “He’s still going to grow,” Sparrow said, citing family history.
Illinois is the first school to offer Stewart a scholarship, but Sparrow said he had received a call from North Carolina, letters from Southern California and interest from Ohio State, among others.
It’s a lot of attention for a freshman, but Sparrow said Stewart can handle it.
“This is a very, very mature kid we’re dealing with,” Sparrow said.
“There are not many kids who can handle these situations, with people calling and recruiting you.”
Layups
Weber said guard Chester Frazier probably wouldn’t practice this week because of the bruised knee he suffered Saturday against Minnesota. “We’re just trying to save him for the game,” said Weber, whose team opens Big Ten tournament play Thursday against Penn State. … Forward Rodney Alexander, who suffered a concussion Thursday against Michigan State and didn’t play Saturday, should be cleared to play if his headaches subside, Weber said.
