Jan. 29--Nick Robinson's physical maturation has been evident for some time, but the Kenwood senior got a bit ahead of himself when he committed to Indiana State in late October.
"I rushed into a decision, didn't give myself time to view all my opportunities," Robinson said after the No. 4 Broncos defeated Champaign Central in a showcase event Saturday attended by Wisconsin assistant Howard Moore.
"I rushed into it, so I thought decommiting was the best decision."
Versatile, active and 6-foot-6, Robinson became one of the state's top uncommitted seniors the second he went back on the market earlier this month.
If the rest of the season is essentially an audition, Robinson gave high-major coaches something to consider on Tuesday.
Robinson, not necessarily the go-to scorer on a talented Kenwood team, went off for 25 points against Curie. He showed his 3-point range and sent the crowd into a frenzy with a huge tip jam.
Curie won 77-76 for Kenwood's first loss to an area team this season, but the Broncos had already clinched the Red-Central thanks in large part to a victory against Curie earlier in the month.
"I feel like I can score whenever is needed," Robinson said. "It doesn't matter as long as we are winning. I think the further we go (as a team), the more looks I'll get, and when it comes down to those big moments, I'll be ready."
A whole range of schools are watching closely, from Wisconsin, Missouri and California to DePaul, St. Louis, Valparaiso and Southern Illinois.
"I'm going to wait until after the season," Robinson said, "after we are holding up that (Class 4A) trophy."
Eyes on Zion: The recruiting experience of senior guard Zion Morgan has been similar to that of Robinson, his Kenwood teammate.
Morgan committed to Valparaiso in October but had a change of heart a month later, fearing he rushed into the decision.
Valparaiso remains in the picture, and Toledo recently extended an offer. Wisconsin, Louisiana Tech, SIU and Ball State are also expressing interest.
Uplifting the program: Whether or not he lands one of the Kenwood players, SIU coach Barry Hinson has parlayed his team's 18-3 start into the acquisition of some promising local talent.
Jeremy Roscoe, the 6-2 combo guard who helped lead Uplift to the Class 2A title last season, committed to Hinson and the Salukis earlier this week.
Roscoe is currently spending a post-graduate year at Victory Rock Prep in Florida. He's the second member of Uplift's championship team to take the prep school route to Division I basketball.
Spencer Foley will play for Canisius next year after attending Commonwealth Academy in Springfield, Mass.
Wooing a Wildkit: Iowa State became the latest to offer Evanston junior Nojel Eastern last week.
The 6-5 point guard said he now has 13 offers, Illinois, Northwestern and Michigan State among them.
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
