The Off The Inbound Recruiting Roundup is a regular recap of recruiting news from Illinois’ Division I men’s basketball programs.
Salukis Score Big
Troy D’Amico is considered one of the top mid-major recruits in Illinois.
Well, he was, at least.
D’Amico committed to Bryan Mullins and Southern Illinois July 12. The Niles Notre Dame forward was ranked No. 6 by the 2021 City/Suburban Hoops Report and averaged 15.6 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game and 3 assists per game this past year.
Committed! Thanks to everyone who has helped me along the way! pic.twitter.com/zJhXOnm0Nx
— Troy D’Amico (@troydamico24) July 13, 2020
When Mullins coached at Loyola Chicago, he was Porter Moser’s recruiting coordinator, and his recruiting ability was one of his biggest strengths when he was hired to lead his alma mater last year. Mullins also boosted his recruiting by bringing former Loyola Chicago director of basketball ops Jevon Mamon with him to Carbondale.
Before heading to the college ranks, Mamon was a high school coach in Chicago and worked with Meanstreets, a local AAU team — which happens to be where D’Amico played.
The 6-foot-7 D’Amico chose the Salukis over seven schools, according to VerbalCommits, including Loyola Chicago, Valparaiso and Toledo.
Lightning Strikes Twice in Southern Illinois
Mullins wasn’t done yet.
One day after D’Amico’s commitment, shooting guard Foster Wonders announced his commitment to SIU July 13. The Iron Mountain, Michigan, native averaged 27.4 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game to go with 2.4 assists per game as a junior last year.
Committed🐾🏀 pic.twitter.com/m7AFJgeD1I
— Foster Wonders (@FosterWonders) July 13, 2020
The 6-foot-5 shooting guard could make a similar impact to MVC Newcomer and Freshman of the Year Marcus Domask, who averaged 26.1 points per game and 10 rebounds per game in as a senior in high school. Wonders joins D’Amico and two other commitments to SIU from the class of 2021.
Pauly Paulicap Commits to DePaul
A headline writer’s dream: DePaul received a commitment from Pauly Paulicap July 14.
Paulicap, a graduate transfer from Manhattan, was considered one of the top grad transfers out there this offseason. A former three-star recruit, Paulicap averaged 10.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks last year en route to MAAC Defensive Player of the Year honors.
I wanna thank all of the coaches and close ones who has helped and support me through out this process. With much thought and consideration I have decide to commit to DePaul University. It’s demon time 👿😤 pic.twitter.com/N2e1iflpv3
— Pauly Paulicap (@pauly33_) July 14, 2020
An Elmont, New York, native, Paulicap is one of five incoming transfers for Dave Leitao’s Blue Demons and could help fill a void if Paul Reed doesn’t opt out of the NBA Draft. He chose DePaul over schools including Southern Illinois, St. Bonaventure and Fresno State, among others.
Ramblers Continue to Recruit Local
Since he took over at Loyola Chicago, Porter Moser has made it a priority to recruit local.
Nine years later, he’s still at it.
Ben Schwieger, a forward from Aurora, announced his commitment July 16. One of the rising stars in the Chicago area, he went from averaging 3.2 points per game as a sophomore to 16.4 points per game as a junior.
All in!🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻#Committed pic.twitter.com/FsOZudLayc
— Ben Schwieger (@ben_schwieger) July 16, 2020
Schwieger is Moser’s first commitment from the class of 2021 and fits the bill as a prototypical Porter Moser player: athletic, high ceiling and, importantly, local. It’s important to note the Ramblers are set to lose six players after this season, including the entire starting five, so Schwieger might be able to make an instant impact when he gets to Chicago’s North Side.
He also held offers from UIC, Southern Illinois and UW-Milwaukee, among others.