Illinois coach John Groce secured his second top five in-state recruit in the Class of 2015 as Plainfield East star Aaron Jordan committed to the Fighting Illini on Saturday.
Jordan, a talented junior guard averaging just over 20 points a game on the year, will join Simeon’s D.J. Williams in Illinois’ Class of 2015 recruiting class. Currently, Jordan is ranked as the 60th best prospect in the country, according to Rivals.com, and No. 77 by Scout.com.
Jordan and his family were as thorough as they could be throughout the recruiting process. It was more about investing time to secure the best decision rather than enjoying the ride.
“We wanted to take that time, look at things together, because my family and their input is a big part of helping me make my decision, so it was important to have them around on all the visits I took,” says Jordan. “But at the end it just felt right. Illinois felt like home.”
The homework put in by the Jordan camp has been ongoing over the past 12 months, with multiple visits to schools in attempt to get familiar and close with the coaching staff, the players, campus and community. Finding the right fit from a basketball standpoint was important, but so too was finding the ideal situation academically and socially.
All along, Jordan envisioned playing for his home state school and was always able to check off each box in every one of the three categories — basketball, academics and the social aspect — when it came to Illinois.
“Illinois has everything I could ask for as far as a school and with the basketball part of it,” says Jordan. “And being from Illinois, growing up in this state, it’s all I’ve ever really known. I’m excited to be able to play for my home state.”
With offers from the likes of Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Creighton, Xavier, Georgia Tech, Illinois State and Butler, it certainly wasn’t a cliché when Jordan stated he was trying to find “the perfect fit.” He made a number of trips to Illinois before pulling the trigger on Saturday while taking in Illinois’ win over Penn State.
What Jordan will instantly bring to the Illinois program is a consistent, high-level perimeter shooter with size at 6-4 and a quick trigger. He’s an efficient shot-maker with range out to the three-point line and a very advanced pull-up game that is smooth and fluid.
Plus, Jordan is about as low maintenance as they come with tremendous character and outstanding academics.
