Q&A: Big Man Alex Illikainen: "It would be awesome to play in The Barn."

[GopherHole Staff]

Q&A: Big Man Alex Illikainen: "It would be awesome to play in The Barn."

Big Man Alex Illikainen: "It would be awesome to play in The Barn."
By Chris Monter

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/275348?referrer_id=331171


Alex Illikainen, a 6-foot-9 2015 star junior from Grand Rapids, is considered the top player in the state in the Class of 2015. Illikainen helped lead Grand Rapids to the Class AAA state boy's basketball tournament for the third straight year.

Illikainen earlier became the first sophomore in Grand Rapids boys basketball history to go over 1,000 career points and has over 1,000 rebounds. He has a chance to become the state's all-time leading rebounder.

Illikainen talked to GopherHole.com after playing at St. Benedict's with his Thunderhawks' teammates at the Pacesetter Sweet 16.

Gopher Hole: You picked up a few new offers since July. Who have you gotten offers from recently?

Alex Illikainen: I got California, Texas Tech, Wisconsin Green Bay and Indiana.

Gopher Hole: That has to make you feel pretty proud that all your hard work has paid off?

Alex Illikainen: Yes. It is awesome. Successful summer. Team played pretty good and it was a lot of fun, too.

Gopher Hole: How many offers are you up to now?

Alex Illikainen: I think that is eleven. Ten or eleven. (His previous offers were Minnesota, Iowa State, Northern Iowa, Creighton, NDSU, Oregon and Nebraska)

Gopher Hole: Have you thought about trying to visit some schools before you high school year starts?

Alex Illikainen: I am going to try to definitely get out to Cal, the new one. I am going to try to go to Indiana, too. During the season, I want to a Creighton game and that kind of stuff.

Gopher Hole: Are you going to try to get to some college football games like you have in the past such as at Minnesota?

Alex Illikainen: I am just going to go home and see what weekends look like and try to get out there.

Gopher Hole: What things have you been really working on to continue to improve yourself as a player?

Alex Illikainen: Working on a lot of perimeter play, dribbling, ballhandling and all that kind of stuff. Post up and just shooting free throws, too.

Gopher Hole: Have you had a chance to do much with your high school team besides playing in the Pacesetter?

Alex Illikainen: Earlier in June, we had a training thing every morning. We went in and did some shooting circuits. We had a couple of practices after that

Gopher Hole: Minnesota has a new coaching staff. What are you hearing from the Gophers right now?

Alex Illikainen: I am hearing a lot from both Coach Pitino and Ben Johnson. I knew him from his previous job at Nebraska. I want to get down there a couple of times since it is so close and watch a couple of games and just visit with them. I am hearing a lot from them.

Gopher Hole: Ben Johnson had recruited you before at Nebraska. Does that helped that relationship because you knew him from before and didn't know Coach Pitino since he was down in Florida?

Alex Illikainen: Yes. I had been down to Minnesota a lot when Tubby and them were there plus I know Ben. It is a new start, but I have some roots there.

Gopher Hole: A lot of Gopher fans who love to see you go to Minnesota. Is Minnesota a school that you grew up watching?

Alex Illikainen: Absolutely. Homestate. Golden Gophers. It would be awesome to play in the Barn and it is definitely somewhere that I grew up watching.

Gopher Hole: What would it mean to play for the homestate school?

Alex Illikainen: It would be awesome. Having all those fans there rooting for me. Family would get to come down easily. Like I said, playing in the Barn would be a great place. .

Gopher Hole: You have made it to the state tournament the past three years. What are the goals and expectations for the upcoming season?

Alex Illikainen: Get back down there. Just going to get back and start in September with some captain's practices. Keep working hard. Keep working as a team and get better as a team.

 

[GoldyForLife]

Keeping him and Jarvis in-state would be huge. Think we have a much better chance than with the 2014 class

 

[MadtownGopher]

I like that he considers the time Tubby and co. put in recruiting him as part of the "roots" (along with Ben Johnson's relationship) of his current recruiting relationship with Pitino's staff. That means he holds the school in a high regard and would pretty much consider us regardless of who the head coach is. So combine his home state pride with Pitino's recruiting acumen and I really think he'll be our first 2015 commit.

 

[AO54]

yes, yes it would

 

[Golden_Sloth]

I like that he considers the time Tubby and co. put in recruiting him as part of the "roots" (along with Ben Johnson's relationship) of his current recruiting relationship with Pitino's staff. That means he holds the school in a high regard and would pretty much consider us regardless of who the head coach is. So combine his home state pride with Pitino's recruiting acumen and I really think he'll be our first 2015 commit.

I'm hoping for that as well, it would be a great way to start 2015. It's always tough to beat out the Indiana's of the world, but he has said some really positive things about the Gophers, both in this article and in some previous ones. I think we're in pretty good position right now.

 

[Stan]

For those that have seen Alex play, would his game compare to Rickert, Holman or Broxsie?

 

[tap]

I thought Indiana high school BB was supposed to be one of the best in the nation. I know we have some excellent HS BB players but don't you worry about recruiting Indiana players first if you are crean?

 

[GophersInIowa]

For anyone who has seen them both, are Illikainen and Henry Ellensons' game pretty similar?

I know the chances are pretty slim, but I'm assuming we would take both of them if they wanted to sign.

 

[Goldy Gopher]

For those that have seen Alex play, would his game compare to Rickert, Holman or Broxsie?

It is kind of tough to compare his game, but the first time I watched him the first player comparison I thought of was Cody Zeller but I think Alex is probably more physical than Zeller. The biggest reason the Zeller comparison came easy for me was because of how well he runs the floor and his athleticisim for a big guy.

 

[WolfontheProwl]

He is not like Holman or Broxie at all. I can see him being compared to Rickert because for a big kid he can really shoot the ball. He is more physical that Rickert was and probably a better rebounder. One thing to remember is that unless he grows a little more which is possible he is 6'9" or so. He is more of a 4 man than a true center. That being said I am sure Ellenson and Illikainen would be able to play together very easily in a high low situation it would be pretty impressive because they both can step out and knock down a jumper from the outside.

 

[Dr.Don]

"Gopher Hole: A lot of Gopher fans who love to see you go to Minnesota. Is Minnesota a school that you grew up watching?

Alex Illikainen: Absolutely. Homestate. Golden Gophers. It would be awesome to play in the Barn and it is definitely somewhere that I grew up watching.

Gopher Hole: What would it mean to play for the homestate school?

Alex Illikainen: It would be awesome. Having all those fans there rooting for me. Family would get to come down easily. Like I said, playing in the Barn would be a great place. ."

Well Alex, if it would be awesome to play at the Barn, you have an offer to do just that, so accept it and commit to us.