» WATCH: Groce Talks Tilmon & 2017 Class
Champaign, Ill. – University of Illinois head coach John Groce announced Thursday the signing of five-star center Jeremiah Tilmon (East St. Louis, Ill.) to a national letter of intent.
Tilmon is a consensus national top-25 recruit, ranked No. 19 by Scout and No. 25 by both Rivals and 247Sports composite. An All-America candidate, Tilmon is the highest-rated recruit of Groce's Illinois tenure and is the first five-star player to select the Fighting Illini in the last seven recruiting classes.
Tilmon averaged 13 points and eight rebounds as a junior at La Lumiere, a prep school in La Porte, Indiana. He is now at East St. Louis Senior High School for his senior season.
"We are thrilled to officially welcome Jeremiah to the Illini family," Groce said. "He has been a top priority for our program for a number of years. Jeremiah has tremendous size, talent and skill. He is a dominant big with unlimited potential."
With the addition of Tilmon to last week's signees Trent Frazier, Javon Pickett and Da'Monte Williams, Illinois has landed a national top-10 class according to three major recruiting services. The class checks in at No. 8 by Scout, No. 9 by ESPN and No. 10 by 247Sports. It also is ranked by every service as the top class in the Big Ten.
JEREMIAH TILMON
Center, 6-10, 245
Hometown:Â East St. Louis, Ill.
High School / Coach:Â East St. Louis Senior / Phillip Gilbert
AAU Program / Coach:Â St. Louis Eagles / Corey Frazier
Notes on Tilmon: Consensus top-25, five-star recruit (No. 25 on rscihoops.com) ... Ranked No. 19 nationally by Scout, No. 25 by both Rivals and 247Sports composite and No. 37 by ESPN … Highest-rated recruit of Coach Groce's Illinois tenure … First top-25 recruit to select the Fighting Illini since the 2010 signing class … Averaged 13 points and 8 rebounds as a junior at La Lumiere, a prep school in La Porte, Indiana, under the direction of Coach Shane Heirman … Helped lead La Lumiere to a 27-4 record and championship game appearance at the Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals Tournament in New York City.
Groce on Tilmon:Â "Jeremiah is one of the best frontcourt players in the country. He has everything you want at that position, he's skilled, a good scorer and passer, protects the rim, plays with toughness, and understands the game."
