2012 Fred Van Vleet to Wichita State

by **ilstu2013** » July 4th, 2011, 9:36 pm

Arguably the best point guard in the class of 2012 in Illinois, Fred Van Vleet has committed to play for the Shockers. http://ilprepbullseye.com/VanVleet_Wichita_State.html

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by **panther-state** » July 4th, 2011, 10:42 pm

Sounds like a solid talent and a great get for the Shox, however the article leaves me with a few questions.

1)Does anyone know his stat-line from last season? I realize it was just his junior year but I'm still curious as to what he and his team did last winter.

2)The fact that Kent State and NIU were the other major contenders for "arguably the best PG/#2 player in the state" makes me scratch my head. Wouldn't Illinois and Northwestern be offering a talent like this or some other major conference schools? Maybe someone else can give me a little more insight than this article, it doesn't seem to be the highest quality of sources.

In any case if what the source says is accurate, regarding Van Vleet's ball-handling, competitiveness and bball IQ then he is already primed for success and it should be a cinch for Marshall and Co. to develop his other aspects and turn him into an elite talent in this conference.

by **45otseoj** » July 5th, 2011, 12:07 am

panther-state wrote:1)Does anyone know his stat-line from last season? I realize it was just his junior year but I'm still curious as to what he and his team did last winter.

He was the star player on one of Illinois's best teams. His team finished 26-5 and lost to Glenbard East (featuring Illinois State recruit Johnny Hill) in the 4A super-sectional (final 8 team in Illinois's largest class).

2)The fact that Kent State and NIU were the other major contenders for "arguably the best PG/#2 player in the state" makes me scratch my head. Wouldn't Illinois and Northwestern be offering a talent like this or some other major conference schools? Maybe someone else can give me a little more insight than this article, it doesn't seem to be the highest quality of sources.

Illinois has an abnormally weak class for 2012. 2011 produced the most D-I recruits of any state in the union and 2013 and 2014 are loaded with extraordinary talent, but 2012 is just plain bad by Illinois standards.

by **RoyalShock** » July 5th, 2011, 12:29 pm

From what I've read Van Vleet was looking to go somewhere he felt comfortable, wanted and could contribute early in his career. He also had offers from MSU, Colo St. and Nevada, but eliminated them in favor of NIU, Kent St. and WSU. The first two had been on him awhile and WSU was a bit of a late entry, presumably after Marshall hired Dana Ford.

It was also getting around that Illinois and another "high major" were stepping up their recruitment of him.

by **panther-state** » July 5th, 2011, 1:19 pm

Hmm makes sense

by **Snapshot9** » July 5th, 2011, 10:52 pm

H.S. stats as a junior were 18.5 points, 7.5 assists, 5 rebounds and 5 steals per game.

by **panther-state** » July 5th, 2011, 11:50 pm

Snapshot9 wrote:H.S. stats as a junior were 18.5 points, 7.5 assists, 5 rebounds and 5 steals per game.

Thank you, now those are some solid stats. Shows that he is very balanced in his game

by **kochhead22** » July 6th, 2011, 1:50 pm

45otseoj wrote:
panther-state wrote:1)Does anyone know his stat-line from last season? I realize it was just his junior year but I'm still curious as to what he and his team did last winter.

He was the star player on one of Illinois's best teams. His team finished 26-5 and lost to Glenbard East (featuring Illinois State recruit Johnny Hill) in the 4A super-sectional (final 8 team in Illinois's largest class).
2)The fact that Kent State and NIU were the other major contenders for "arguably the best PG/#2 player in the state" makes me scratch my head. Wouldn't Illinois and Northwestern be offering a talent like this or some other major conference schools? Maybe someone else can give me a little more insight than this article, it doesn't seem to be the highest quality of sources.

Illinois has an abnormally weak class for 2012. 2011 produced the most D-I recruits of any state in the union and 2013 and 2014 are loaded with extraordinary talent, but 2012 is just plain bad by Illinois standards.

Thanks for some explanation on this. I was surprised to see that the number 1 point guard prospect and number 2 overall prospect from usually a powerfull basketball state didnt have bigger schools going after him. I'm happy he's decided to play at the next level here and he's a great addition to the WSU family!

by **Snapshot9** » July 6th, 2011, 5:58 pm

He had interest from Pepperdine, Drake, Nevada, and some from Illinois before limiting down to 3 schools in Northern Illinois and Kent State and WSU. Dana Ford, our fairly new assistant coach established a good repoire with Van Vleet, and is mainly responsible for recruiting him.

We are glad he decided to be a Shocker, and are looking forward to watching him play for us.

by **LJay** » July 6th, 2011, 6:21 pm

Something about his name makes me think of the old TV show My Three Sons. :huh: