[Buckskin86]

Scouts are looking
Area players getting interest from colleges
By Chris Sims
chris.sims@indystar.com

Who will be the next big hoop star coming from the north suburban area?

It's a toss-up, if you follow the trail of college recruiters.
Lawrence North's Stephan Van Treese seems to be following in the footsteps of past players for coach Jack Keefer.

Van Treese, a junior, is being heavily recruited but isn't ready to narrow the field of suitors.

Offers have arrived from Indiana, Kentucky, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Purdue and Xavier, with more sure to come. Duke, Florida, Georgetown, Kansas, Louisville, Marquette, North Carolina and Virginia are all showing interest in the 6-9 center.

"I am waiting to see at the end of this month what all schools are really interested in me," he said.

Van Treese's summer is busy with AAU games and appearances with the Addidas National Team, where he will get to play against teams from China and Europe.

The toughest part has been rebounding from a bout with mononucleosis. He has been working to regain his strength with Ed Schilling, the same trainer used by former LN players Greg Oden and Mike Conley.

"Ed has helped me out a lot," Van Treese said. "I feel this month I need to show a lot. I don't feel I have performed to my 100 percent potential."

Also receiving some offers is 6-9 forward Jeff Robinson. Butler and Purdue have provided offers, while Illinois has been pretty faithful, along with a host of other schools, in showing interest.

Robinson recently cracked a bone in his foot and will be out for three to four weeks.

"He just gets letters from Illinois and IU and Stanford. It is the typical stuff. He is a 6-9 kid they are keeping an eye on," said Jack Keefer.

Purdue and Notre Dame have expressed interest in 6-3 junior guard Larry Smith, while 6-9 sophomore forward Dominique Ferguson has shown up on the Boilermakers' radar as well. Illinois and Kentucky are expressing interest in 6-1 junior guard Kyree Jones, a transfer from Chicago Julian.

"They have all been strong enough that interest has been shown," Keefer said. "Van Treese and Robinson have gotten offers because they played well. Van Treese got most of that because of stepping it up last year. He has stepped up this summer and played pretty well."

Scouts are looking | IndyStar.com