Groce, Illini Put Together Top 25 Recruiting Class

(WSCR) It's safe to say it's been a nice ride for new Illinois basketball coach John Groce.

In his first seven months on the job, Groce has put together a top-25 recruiting class.

Rivals.com lists the class as No. 10 nationally, while Scout.com ranks it No. 22.

Included in his efforts are two highly sought-after recruits from Chicago's Simeon High School - guards Kendrick Nunn and Jaylon Tate.

Groce also landed forward Austin Colbert of New Jersey, wing Malcolm Hill of Belleville and center Maverick Morgan of Ohio.

"One of the top goals we had in this first year here was to sign a five-player class that fits our needs at every position, and I couldn't be more pleased with our results," Groce said in a news release. "These are five outstanding young men who have tremendous character, come from great families, and of course excel on the basketball floor."