The Gophers have made Alex a high priority for a few years.
Alex Illikainen, a 6-9, 210-pound rising senior, announced Tuesday that he is transferring from Grand Rapids to prep power Brewster Academy. Illikainen had been considered one of the top players in the state in the Class of 2015 and leading candidate for Minnesota’s Mr. Basketball. He is thought to be a very important recruit for head coach Richard Pitino.
Illikainen helped lead Grand Rapids to a 16-10 mark this season, but they missed making their fourth straight appearance in the Class AAA state boy’s basketball tournament, losing to Hermantown 53-47 in the section semifinals.
Illikainen recently to Gopher Hole to learn the latest on his recruitment and his summer plans.
Gopher Hole: Are you planning on going to any college or individual camps the next couple of months?
Alex Illikainen: This week I am at the Top 100 Camp (Charlottesville, Virginia).
Gopher Hole: What are you hoping to show in that type of event?
Alex Illikainen: Just show my versatility. Show that I can play inside and out. Show that I can defend a guard and a big guy. I think that they look at that a lot and you have got to be able to defend, so that is probably the biggest things.
Gopher Hole: You have shot the ball really well in the EYBL. What was the most threes you even made in a game high-school wise?
Alex Illikainen: One. I made 11 threes this high school season. I didn’t shoot very many, but a lot of it was just shooting a lot and getting the confidence. The Pulley coaches had great confidence in me. I kind of showed that I could shoot it. Now I just don’t think about it.
Gopher Hole: You made six three-pointers in one game. That was half of what you did this high school season.
Alex Illikainen: I think that I made more threes that weekend than I did the whole high school season.
Gopher Hole: Do you like that you have had a chance to showcase a little bit more of the game because that is something you’ll be asked to do at the collegiate level?
Alex Illikainen: I am going to be small (forward) in college. I have got to be able to shoot. I have got to be able to drive and defend.
Gopher Hole: Have you thought much more about when you are going to try to decide on a school? Will you try to sign in the fall or have you thought that far ahead yet?
Alex Illikainen: I am probably going to narrow it down after Peach Jam, kind of in that August period and then figure out visits and that kind of stuff.
Gopher Hole: You already visited California and still have four official visits left. Do you know what schools you definitely want to visit?
Alex Illikainen: Not sure about the four that I am going to visit because there are a couple that I might have to leave out, but I’ll definitely figure that out.
Gopher Hole: When you finally make that decision what are going to be the main factors that make you pick School A over School B or C?
Alex Illikainen: Relationship with the coaches. I have a great relationship with pretty much every coach that I have been recruited by and after that, the character of the guys and the school. The atmosphere and that kind of stuff.
Gopher Hole: You visited Cal. Have you talked to their new staff?
Alex Illikainen: I have talked to all the coaches on the staff. I don’t know quite where I stand with them, but I have definitely talked to them.
Gopher Hole: Any new offers or are you pretty much hearing from the same schools?
Alex Illikainen: Same schools.
Gopher Hole: Are you still open to new schools?
Alex Illikainen: Absolutely. Absolutely. I am definitely not denying any schools because I want to make sure I pick the right school at the end of the day.
Gopher Hole: What is the latest you are hearing from the Gophers?
Alex Illikainen: I am hearing a lot from the Gophers. I am going to try to get down there and see the place again when I can. Good things and we’ll see how it goes from there.
Gopher Hole: What were your impressions of their N.I.T. run?
Alex Illikainen: It was great. First year, coming in, I mean you can always go into the NCAA Tournament and lose the first game and no one really remembers you, but if you win the N.I.T. it is still a big deal. Great year for Coach Pitino and the staff and the team. It was a great honor.