Five-star basketball recruit Jeremiah Tilmon posted on social media Wednesday that he has asked for a release from his National Letter of Intent to play for Illinois.
"My family and I feel it's only fair that we hear all opportunities and not be stuck in one situation," Tilmon posted on his Instagram account. "We will wait patiently on the release from the NLI. Illinois will always remain and option because of my ongoing relationship with (assistant) coach (Jamall) Walker, but this is my future and I need to be certain before I come to campus in June."
Rules allow Tilmon to be released from his commitment because he initially pledged under former coach John Groce, who was fired March 11. Illinois hired Brad Underwood to replace Groce and retained Walker in part because of his connections to a recruiting class that ranks in the top 15 nationally.
Tilmon, 6-foot-10, is a five-star recruit who committed to Illinois in July. He also had offers from North Carolina, Kansas, Michigan State, Indiana, Texas and UCLA, but speculation has swirled that he could be tapped by Missouri after the Tigers hired Cuonzo Martin as coach.
Martin and Tilmon are from East St. Louis. Martin has secured a commitment from top prospect Michael Porter Jr., who had committed to play at Washington before a coaching change.
On Monday, Tilmon retweeted his tweet from July in which he announced he was headed to Illinois. That tweet read, "I'm blessed to be staying home."
