Nov. 12, 2014
Champaign, Ill.-University of Illinois head coach John Groce announced Wednesday the signing of four student-athletes to national letters of intent. High school seniors Jalen Coleman-Lands, Aaron Jordan and D.J. Williams are new additions to the program while junior college sophomore Darius Paul officially rejoins the Fighting Illini.
Illinois has recruited a national top-15 class, checking in at No. 8 by 247Sports, No. 11 by Scout and No. 12 by Rivals. This is Groce's second top-25 class in his three seasons in charge of the Illini program.
"We are thrilled with this class and are excited to publicly welcome Jalen, Aaron and D.J. to the Fighting Illini family as well as to officially re-sign Darius, who has remained an extended part of our family," Groce said. "We look for a certain type of player who fits our culture, which I call an `Illini guy.' These young men are definitely Illini guys, and that also is a testament to the parents, families, coaches and friends who surround them.
"When looking at what they bring to the court, I don't know if there's a class in the country with a better set of shooters than Jalen and Aaron," Groce continued. "They are lights-out from the perimeter. And D.J. is one of the most skilled and versatile players in the entire 2015 class. He can play practically anywhere on the floor. These three are a perfect fit for our system.
"Regarding Darius, we have remained in communication with him and his family since he left last spring," Groce added. "We are proud of the progress he has made both on and off the court. We look forward to his continued improvement and a successful return to our program."
Coleman-Lands is a 6-3 guard from Indianapolis. A consensus top-40 recruit, he attends La Lumiere School, where he averaged 19.2 points last season.
Jordan is a 6-5 guard from Plainfield, Illinois. A top-100 recruit by various services, he earned all-state honors as a junior at Plainfield East High School after averaging 19.4 points and shooting 48.1 percent from 3-point range.
Williams is a 6-7 wing from Chicago. A consensus top-65 recruit, he averaged 10 points, six rebounds and four assists last season at Simeon Career Academy.
Paul is a 6-8 forward from Gurnee, Illinois. He is currently in Texas attending Lamar State College-Port Arthur after transferring from Illinois last spring. Paul is averaging 14.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 blocks through his first three games with the Seahawks.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 2015 RECRUITING CLASS PLAYER BIOS
JALEN COLEMAN-LANDS
Guard, 6-3, 180
Hometown: Indianapolis, Ind.
High School/Coach: La Lumiere/Shane Heirman
AAU Program/Coach: All-Ohio Red/Marcus Gill
Notes on Coleman-Lands: Consensus national top-40 recruit (No. 34 on rscihoops.com) ... Ranked No. 27 nationally by 247Sports, No. 34 by ESPN, No. 35 by Scout and No. 38 by Rivals ... Attends La Lumiere, a prep school in La Porte, Indiana, the preseason No. 4 team in the country by MaxPreps and No. 9 by USA Today ... Has opened his senior season strong, registering 42 points and seven rebounds vs. Indiana Elite Prep, 20 points vs. Quakerdale Prep (Iowa) and 22 points vs. Planet Athlete Academy (Ariz.) ... Averaged 19.2 points as a junior ... Honor roll student at La Lumiere and recipient of the school's Bransfield Award, the highest award given to an underclassman ... Previously attended Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, helping lead Cathedral to a 25-6 record and IHSAA Class 4A state runner-up finish as a sophomore ... Averaged 14.6 points and shot 46 percent from 3-point range during his sophomore season ... First Indiana native to sign with the Fighting Illini in 30 years, since Noblesville's Scott Haffner in 1984.
Groce on Coleman-Lands: "Jalen is without question one of the best shooters in the country. He also is a terrific defender. Jalen is capable of playing and guarding multiple positions on the perimeter. He is a hard worker, an outstanding young man of the highest character and a winner."
AARON JORDAN
Guard, 6-5, 190
Hometown: Plainfield, Ill.
High School/Coach: Plainfield East/Branden Adkins
AAU Program/Coach: Illinois Stars/Troy Johnson, Mike Ciepierski
Notes on Jordan: Ranked No. 85 nationally by Rivals and No. 86 by 247Sports ... Averaged 19.4 points and 4.5 rebounds as a junior at Plainfield East, and shot 48.1 percent from 3-point range ... First-team All-State by Champaign News-Gazette and second-team All-State by Associated Press and Illinois Basketball Coaches Association ... Special mention All-State by Chicago Tribune and All-Area selection by Chicago Sun-Times ... Scored a career-high 38 points last season vs. Plainfield South, hitting 12-of-19 shots and 14-of-17 from the line ... Scored 25 points vs. Plainfield Central in regular-season finale, leading Plainfield East to an outright Southwest Prairie Conference title ... National Honor Society student.
Groce on Jordan: "Aaron is an exceptional shooter with great size for his position. He has gotten better every single time I've watched him throughout his career. Aaron has tremendous work ethic, is an outstanding student and will take great pride in representing his state school."
D.J. WILLIAMS
Wing, 6-7, 205
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
High School/Coach: Simeon/Rob Smith
AAU Program/Coach: MeanStreets/Tai Streets
Notes on Williams: Full name is Dennis Williams Jr., but goes by D.J. ... Consensus national top-65 recruit (No. 62 on rscihoops.com) ... Ranked No. 50 nationally by ESPN, No. 55 by Scout and No. 62 by Rivals ... Averaged 10 points, six rebounds and four assists as a junior at Simeon, earning special mention All-State honors by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association ... Named MVP of the MPAC Sports Elite International Tournament this past summer in Dubai, leading Simeon to the title while averaging 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists ... Totaled 32 points, seven boards and four assists in the title game vs. Huntington Prep ... Participated in USA Basketball U17 Training Camp this past summer in Colorado Springs ... Member of Simeon teams that won IHSA Class 4A state titles his freshman (2012) and sophomore (2013) seasons ... Continues a proud tradition of Simeon alumni attending the University of Illinois that includes future Illini teammates Kendrick Nunn and Jaylon Tate, along with past standouts such as former NBA star Nick Anderson, all-time UI scoring leader Deon Thomas, Kevin Turner, Bryant Notree, Ervin Small and Calvin Brock.
Groce on Williams: "At his size, D.J. is as skilled as anyone in the country. He can handle it, is an incredible passer, scores it and is capable of using both hands to finish. D.J. is one of the most versatile players we have ever recruited. He loves this university and will be the latest in a long line of outstanding Simeon graduates to suit up for the Illini."
DARIUS PAUL
Forward, 6-8, 225
Hometown: Gurnee, Ill.
Junior College/Coach: Lamar State-Port Arthur (Texas)/Lance Madison
Notes on Paul: Listed in Sporting News preseason issue as one of the top five junior college players nationally ... Averaging 14.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 blocks through first three games at Lamar State-Port Arthur ... Tallied 19 points, seven rebounds and six blocks vs. Pensacola State College ... Had 16 points and seven rebounds vs. Gulf Coast State College ... Seven points and eight rebounds vs. Houston Community College.
Groce on Paul: "Darius is in a great situation at Lamar State-Port Arthur. We are proud of the progress he has made as a person, student and player. He is an extremely talented and skilled player who will strengthen our frontcourt upon his return to campus."
