'11 IL F Devon Hodges (Former Verbal)

[Bernini]

Another article.......

http://ilprepbullseye.com/page19.html

Mike Mullins, the head coach and CEO of the Illinois Wolves traveling team program, informed us earlier this evening that the University of Wisconsin has received a verbal commitment from 6'7 class of 2011 wing prospect Devon Hodges from Romeoville High School in Romeoville, IL.

While Hodges plays on an extremely talented Illinois Wolves 15-under squad, right now he is a player who remains very much under the radar. We admittedly have not yet gotten a good look at Hodges, but the consensus on him is that he is a highly athletic wing prospect with huge up side and potential. Seeing as though Hodges plays on a high school team that is located right in our front yard, we can guarantee everyone that we will be making a point to watch him play in the near future and offer a thorough scouting report.

The most significant part of Hodges' commitment is what it means to the future of Badger basketball recruiting in the class of 2011 in Illinois. Due largely to the efforts of hard-working assistant coach Howard Moore, the Badgers are also very much in the running for a pair of other prospects who are Hodges' teammates on the Wolves--6'2 combo guard Chasson Randle from Rock Island High School in Rock Island, IL and 6'9 post Nanna Egwu from St. Ignatius High School in Chicago.

Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan has offered scholarships to both Randle and Egwu and there is no question that with Hodges in the fold, it increases the Badgers' chances of possibly landing all three Wolves prospects. In addition, Wisconsin is also recruiting yet another member of the Wolves 15-under team, that being 6'5 class of 2011 shooting guard Jacob Williams, who is currently at Bartlett High School in Bartlett, IL although ineligible to play basketball this season. In all likelihood, he will be back at St. Patrick High School in Chicago come next fall.

Links:

IlliniHSBasketball Discussion
ChicagoHoops Report from November

[Heavystarch]

Recent scouring of his games found this:

December 30th: 12 points

December 28th:

Devon Hodges took a slick feed from Alan Farmer and scored inside with 5.9 seconds left to give Romeoville a 52-51 win over Leyden Saturday in the Large School semifinals of the Lemont Christmas Classic.

Hodges had 13 points and 11 rebounds

December 13th:

"(Devon) Hodges caused problems for us," said Morris coach Joe Blumberg, whose strategy going into the contest was to work his inside game with Kevin Henry. "With his size and length, Hodges clogs the lane and alters shots without even blocking them.

Hodges finishing with 10 points and 3 blocks.

Demarius Miller appears to be Romeoville's go to guy - he is a senior guard. We will probably find out more about Hodges during AAU ball and his upcoming high school seasons

[Heavystarch]

Also maybe worth posting, most of the Illinois fans appear to never had heard of Hodges, but the commitment definitely got their attention. They are highest on Randle, and they seem to think he wants to be "the man" wherever he goes. FWIW, I read Randle hopes to commit sometime this spring or summer

[Bernini]

Excellent article from BadgerBeat which gives an extensive description of his game, informs us he's now 15, and shares he grew up a Badger fan (explaining the ridiculously early commit).

BadgerBeat.com - Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball: Hodges makes verbal commitment

The last weekend of 2008 was a good one for Devon Hodges.
First, the 6-foot-7 sophomore for Romeoville (Ill.) High School scored 13 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and made the game-winning shot in his team's 52-51 victory over Leyden High School on Dec. 27. Two days later, he received a scholarship offer to play basketball at the University of Wisconsin.
Hodges, a lifelong fan of the UW men's basketball team, accepted that offer Sunday night and called UW assistant coach Howard Moore to give him the news.
``He's a great kid. He's only 15 years old and has the ability to play inside and outside. He's a lefty who has a nice jumper to about 17 feet,'' said Romeoville High School coach Jeff Bambule. ``I think the really good thing about him is that he has a lot of potential. He's going to grow and gain weight. I see him getting better and better.''.........

[Jcwisco]

Good to see that Howard Moore has some Pull in Chicago, I get the feeling with Tubby in the Fold in Minnesota Bo wont be able to get whoever he wants to from there any longer. Thats okay though Chicago traditionally has better players than Minneapolis, what are the chances that a teamate of Micheal Finely's from high school would have a son that's 6'7" athletic and wants to come to Wisconsin. {Not to over hype a 15 yr old but this is the type of player we have despretley needed} It doesn't happen very often. Bo just may be starting to realize that he cant win the big one with just his system but that he needs to take a different approach to recruiting, this is a coup for Wisconsin now lets hope they lock up the rest of his AAU team as well

[TroyD92]

Originally Posted by Jcwisco

Good to see that Howard Moore has some Pull in Chicago, I get the feeling with Tubby in the Fold in Minnesota Bo wont be able to get whoever he wants to from there any longer. Thats okay though Chicago traditionally has better players than Minneapolis, what are the chances that a teamate of Micheal Finely's from high school would have a son that's 6'7" athletic and wants to come to Wisconsin. {Not to over hype a 15 yr old but this is the type of player we have despretley needed} It doesn't happen very often. Bo just may be starting to realize that he cant win the big one with just his system but that he needs to take a different approach to recruiting, this is a coup for Wisconsin now lets hope they lock up the rest of his AAU team as well

I think that Bo can get almost anyone he wants honestly now he has his limits If we are competing with the UNC and Duke's of the world chances are we dont get that recruit(unless he is in state) However when it comes to the Marquettes and Florida's of the world I think we can hold our own now a days and as evident by some of the recent commits Wisconsin is starting to get a bit of a rep in basketball(kinda like the Football team 2 years ago)

[TroyD92]

question why cant Jacob Williams play? Is it academics or more of a Larry Bradley situation?

[TroyD92]

Take it for what its worth but ESPN has Devon in their top 100 for 2011.

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/school?schoolId=275&page=briefingroom&season=2009& action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn .go.com%2fncb%2frecruiting%2ftracker%2fschool%3fsc hoolId%3d275%26page%3dbriefingroom%26season%3d2009

so that makes three straight top 100 prospects according to ESPN

[Heavystarch]

From yesterdays game

Crow flies, Plainfield N. rolls :: High Schools :: YourSeason

Vachon scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half and gained the edge in his head-to-head battle with Romeoville's 6-7 Devon Hodges. Both big men grabbed 7 rebounds. Hodges was limited to 8 points on 4-of-7 shooting.

[Bernini]

Devon scored 10 in a loss to Oswego

[OnWisconsin07]

Some good interviews with Devon talking about his recruitment:

ILLINOISHSBASKETBALL.COM - The Best in Illinois High School Basketball Scouting.

Devon Hodges - Committed to Wisconsin | PrepChamps

[Heavystarch]

At Plainfield S., Bonds market soaring :: High Schools :: YourSeason

Romeoville was paced by 6-7 sophomore Devon Hodges, a University of Wisconsin recruit. He scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds and probably blocked another half-dozen shots.

Miller rescues Spartans :: High Schools :: YourSeason

Sophomore forward Devon Hodges finished with a 11 points and 7 rebounds.

Romeoville's late magic stuns Plainfield C. :: High Schools :: YourSeason

Trailing 44-41, Farmer found Hodges (10 points, 9 rebounds) alone underneath for a dunk

[Heavystarch]

Plainfield C. uses a rally for the 'W' :: High Schools :: YourSeason

2/21/09

With their leading scorer out with an illness, Hodges managed 11 points and a game high 12 rebounds.

[Heavystarch]

Catching up with basketball recruit Devon Hodges - JSOnline

6/16/09

Hodges team plans on learning the swing offense, which would obviously help his transition.

In addition to working out with his high school team, Hodges will travel with his club team, the D-Rose All-Stars, which is coached by Derrick Rose’s brother, Reggie, and do one-on-one work with a friend.
“Right now I’m trying to work on my game as far as being a three, four and five, being a great player inside and outside, working on my handle, my shooting ability as well as getting my strength up and my post moves,” Hodges said. “I’m working on my all-around game. I want to be the best player I can possibly be.”

[cyismydog]

City/Suburban Hoops Report
Joe Henricksen thinks he's a mid-major player, though Joe doesn't know a ton, IMO. (For instance, Tracy Abrams over Dre Henley, Mike Shaw, Chasson, Jacob Williams, Wayne Blackshear, etc. ?)