The Gophers coaching staff has made Alex a top priority for the 2015 recruiting class.
Alex Illikainen, a 6-9, 210-pound junior from Grand Rapids, is considered one of the top players in the state in the Class of 2015. Illikainen helped lead Grand Rapids to a 16-10 mark, but they missed out on making their fourth straight appearance in the Class AAA state boy’s basketball tournament, after falling to Hermantown 53-47 in the section semifinals.
Illikainen talked to Gopher Hole at the Class AAA semifinals at the Target Center about the latest on his recruitment and his upcoming senior season.
Gopher Hole: You were watching the game at the state tournament. How hard is it to be watching when I am sure you would love to be playing?
Alex Illikainen: It would be great to be down here again. It sucks that we lost in the semifinals, too. We lost to a good team, though. We played tough right to the end. Losing the streak kind of sucks, especially when the alumni players had put in the work to get there and we had started a little tradition, so it kind of hurts.
Gopher Hole: Does that make you want to get back to state even more for your senior season next year?
Alex Illikainen: Absolutely. Now we are hungry and we know what it feels not to and it is not a good feeling. We have to work hard and get back here.
Gopher Hole: Have you guys even started doing anything yet team-wise for next year?
Alex Illikainen: We have had some meetings and everyone is starting to buy in and know that we have to work hard in the offseason. Get stronger and quicker. We have to shoot and dribble the ball. Everything. We are starting to get in the gym already.
Gopher Hole: How many starters do you have back for next year?
Alex Illikainen: We have two starters coming back.
Gopher Hole: What things have you been working on individually to continue to improve yourself and get ready for a big senior season?
Alex Illikainen: I have been doing a lot of ball handling. Getting comfortable with the ball has been one of my priorities and my shooting. Getting better with the outside shot. That all-around game.
Gopher Hole: What are your AAU plans?
Alex Illikainen: I am going to play for Pulley. I am going to try out Sunday and hopefully start playing in the EYBL.
Gopher Hole: How much do you think that playing against some of the top players in the country is going to help you individually?
Alex Illikainen: That is going to be the biggest key, playing against the best players and learn what I can’t do and what I have got to do to get better to compete at that level.
Gopher Hole: Coach Pitino and Coach Johnson were at your game against Hermantown. That has to make you feel proud that they took the time out of their schedule to come watch you?
Alex Illikainen: Absolutely.
Gopher Hole: What are you hearing from the Gophers right now?
Alex Illikainen: We are just keeping in contact. We talk quite a bit. I went down there and saw them and they came up a couple of times, so we have a good relationship and it is building every day.
Gopher Hole: You went to California not too long ago. What was that visit like?
Alex Illikainen: It was a great visit. Got to see everything. Got to see San Francisco and Berkeley. Watched a great game when they knocked off Arizona, the number one team. It was a great visit.
Gopher Hole: That was your first official visit. Have you set up any others or have you thought that far yet?
Alex Illikainen: I haven’t set up anything. Once AAU starts rolling, I’ll start to think about that some more.
Gopher Hole: How many offers are you up to right now? Any new offers?
Alex Illikainen: 12 or 13. I haven’t gotten any new ones for a while.
Gopher Hole: Have you thought about what schools you would definitely like to visit yet or have you thought that far?
Alex Illikainen: Not really.
Gopher Hole: What things besides basketball are you most excited about college?
Alex Illikainen: I just want to go to a great school with good academics. A fun school and a place that I would like to spend four or five years of my life. That full college life. Being on your own sounds kind of fun.
Gopher Hole: Have you thought much about a possible college major or have you thought that far?
Alex Illikainen: No.
Gopher Hole: Are you doing much strength training?
Alex Illikainen: I am starting to work out a lot. Just getting bigger and being more physical.