CHI-TOWN heads have any of you seen this cat play?
Jeffrey Jordan, the son of basketball legend Michael Jordan, said Friday that he plans to play basketball at the University of Illinois next year as a walk-on.
The younger Jordan, a 6-2 senior guard at Loyola Academy prep school in Wilmette just north of Chicago, was primarily a recruiting target of mid-major schools. He said in a news release that he chose to enroll at Illinois, with no scholarship, over Valparaiso University in Indiana.
"After I worked out at Illinois, (met) with the coaching staff and the players, and toured the campus with my mom, I just felt more comfortable with U of I," he said in the release.
Jordan, 18, was a three-year starter at Loyola and two-year All Catholic League player, according to the release.
After working out at Illinois last week, Jordan told Illinois coach Bruce Weber about his plans Wednesday.
"He's a quality kid who is very competitive and passionate about basketball," Weber said in an e-mailed statement. "He's made great strides over the last year as a player and is an excellent student who should be a great fit here at the University of Illinois."
A message left for Michael Jordan with the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats, which he owns part of, was not returned.
As a walk-on, Jordan will not sign a letter of intent, meaning his commitment is nonbinding. He would be a preferred walk-on, meaning he wouldn't have to go through tryouts, according to the news release.
Earlier news reports indicated Jordan also was being recruited by Northwestern, Loyola University, Illinois State University and Davidson College.
One recruiting expert said Friday that Jordan is not ready to step straight onto the court at Illinois.
"If he's going to be a contributor in the Big Ten, he's going to have to keep expectations in check," said Dave Telep of recruiting Web site Scouts.com. "He's going to really have to crank up his game and earn playing time."
Telep added the teenager has done a good job handling the unusual pressure that comes with being the son of an iconic father.
"His situation is the single most unique recruiting situation (this year)," Telep said. "When you are Michael Jordan's son, just ungodly expectations get thrown your way."
In his senior year at Loyola Academy, in Chicago's north suburbs, the left-handed Jordan led a team that briefly was considered among the top squads in the country. His younger brother Marcus, a 6-3 sophomore that some recruiting experts say may wind up the better player, also was part of the team.
Illini fans said Friday they're waiting for the arrival of both Jordans at the Assembly Hall. Aaron Dubnow, a 20-year-old junior from Glencoe, said he and many other Illinois students grew up watching Michael Jordan's Bulls.
"Maybe he'll become like an honorary Krush member," said Dubnow, president of the Orange Krush Foundation, the charity arm of the student-fan group. "I couldn't think of anything better than having Michael Jordan standing in the middle of the Orange Krush."
In a 15-year NBA career, Michael Jordan was a 13-time All Star, five-time league most valuable player and averaged just over 30 points a game. All but two of those seasons were with the Chicago Bulls, a period during which the team won six NBA titles.
Jeffrey Jordan, the son of basketball legend Michael Jordan, said Friday that he plans to play basketball at the University of Illinois next year as a walk-on.
The younger Jordan, a 6-2 senior guard at Loyola Academy prep school in Wilmette just north of Chicago, was primarily a recruiting target of mid-major schools. He said in a news release that he chose to enroll at Illinois, with no scholarship, over Valparaiso University in Indiana.
"After I worked out at Illinois, (met) with the coaching staff and the players, and toured the campus with my mom, I just felt more comfortable with U of I," he said in the release.
Jordan, 18, was a three-year starter at Loyola and two-year All Catholic League player, according to the release.
After working out at Illinois last week, Jordan told Illinois coach Bruce Weber about his plans Wednesday.
"He's a quality kid who is very competitive and passionate about basketball," Weber said in an e-mailed statement. "He's made great strides over the last year as a player and is an excellent student who should be a great fit here at the University of Illinois."
A message left for Michael Jordan with the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats, which he owns part of, was not returned.
As a walk-on, Jordan will not sign a letter of intent, meaning his commitment is nonbinding. He would be a preferred walk-on, meaning he wouldn't have to go through tryouts, according to the news release.
Earlier news reports indicated Jordan also was being recruited by Northwestern, Loyola University, Illinois State University and Davidson College.
One recruiting expert said Friday that Jordan is not ready to step straight onto the court at Illinois.
"If he's going to be a contributor in the Big Ten, he's going to have to keep expectations in check," said Dave Telep of recruiting Web site Scouts.com. "He's going to really have to crank up his game and earn playing time."
Telep added the teenager has done a good job handling the unusual pressure that comes with being the son of an iconic father.
"His situation is the single most unique recruiting situation (this year)," Telep said. "When you are Michael Jordan's son, just ungodly expectations get thrown your way."
In his senior year at Loyola Academy, in Chicago's north suburbs, the left-handed Jordan led a team that briefly was considered among the top squads in the country. His younger brother Marcus, a 6-3 sophomore that some recruiting experts say may wind up the better player, also was part of the team.
Illini fans said Friday they're waiting for the arrival of both Jordans at the Assembly Hall. Aaron Dubnow, a 20-year-old junior from Glencoe, said he and many other Illinois students grew up watching Michael Jordan's Bulls.
"Maybe he'll become like an honorary Krush member," said Dubnow, president of the Orange Krush Foundation, the charity arm of the student-fan group. "I couldn't think of anything better than having Michael Jordan standing in the middle of the Orange Krush."
In a 15-year NBA career, Michael Jordan was a 13-time All Star, five-time league most valuable player and averaged just over 30 points a game. All but two of those seasons were with the Chicago Bulls, a period during which the team won six NBA titles.
