Redbird verbal: Jon Ekey

[BTbird]

Anybody see him play or know anything about him?

http://www.examiner.net/sports/x282404425/Bears-Ekey-commits-to-Illinois-State

[Mc Bulldog]

Congrats to the Redbird fans .. I think you have a very solid player in Ekey.

[ericbossi1]

Illinois State is getting a very promising player in Ekey. He's always shown glimpses but really exploded during June and July. He's about 6-7, has long arms, runs very well and is an outstanding shooter from between 15 and 20 feet. He lacks strength and is skinny, but he may have some growing left to do. Surprising athlete who blocks a lot of shots and gets a lot of tip dunks.

Also, it's important to point out that he's the high school and summer teammate of another Illinois State -- and pretty much rest of the Valley -- target Justin Clark. A 6-4 WG, Clark is a lean shooter with serious range and a quick release. Also, like Ekey, Clark took an unofficial visit to ISU over the weekend.

[BeeLine]

I really like Ekey alot ; was confused as to why we never offered. Both he and Clark visited last year, and the Bears have offered Clark [ as has the world] but just didn't pull the string on Ekey. He's a rangy 6'7 that looks like he could get even taller. Has a nice efficient shooting motion that can extend out to the trey line. Rebounds well for lack of bulk, gets up pretty good; blocks an awful lot of shots because of his long deceptive reach. Good passer, the kind of player that can fill multiple roles and makes everyone around him better. He was on my list of kids I would have liked to have gotten, so I think ISU has gotten a guy who will be a very productive Valley player. Congrats to the RedBirds.

[redbirdfan21]

According to this article...

http://pantagraph.com/articles/2008/08/12/usports/doc48a1a4a52bd83378105467.txt

Justin Clark may be close to verbally to the Birds as well.

"Chrisman coach John Vickers said 6-4½ guard Justin Clark, whose 25.6 scoring average was the best in Missouri last season, also is leaning toward committing to ISU. Vickers expects Clark to make a final decision in the next day or two."

This would obviously be a huge get for the Birds... time will tell if it will happen or not I guess....

[ericbossi1]

Missouri State did offer Ekey, but not until recently.

Clark commitment should be going down sooner than later and it looks very, very good for the Redbirds.

[BeeLine]

Clark would be a great get; he's a legitimate 6'4 shooting guard with a quick release, great range, and scorers mentality. And he's more athletic than given credit for, because he's more prone to taking the outside shot than flashing to the hole. But the one down at this point is he is reportedly along way from qualifying academically, but does have a full year to try to get something done.

[BTbird]

Thanks for all the great info on Ekey.

[Mc Bulldog]

Clark is by far a much bigger target. He might develope NBA caliber talent before it's all said and done. Good luck to all of the MVC in landing this young man. If a particular school in the Valley did land him it would be a huge get IMO. In a picture dictionary, there would be a picture of Clark next to Stud Biscuit.

[SubGod22]

I've read nothing but good things about both of these guys. I've only seen them once each at the WSU Specialty Camp I watched. Ekey didn't really stand out that day. Clark had a nice looking shot and had confidence in it despite the fact that his shot wasn't falling the few games I saw. I believe WSU had offered both though. Both were somewhere on my list of guys I wouldn't bee too bummed about getting. Very nice get by ISU from my understanding and nice to see the great Eric Bossi offering some info.

I'm still holding out hope that someday ShockerNet hooks up with Scout and that Bossi would be involved to some extent. I'm assuming Bossi is still involved with Scout.