(2016) PF Nick Rakocevic

[hoosierpap 14,300]

Jeff Rabjohns ‏@JeffRabjohns  14h14 hours ago
2016 Westchester St. Joseph's (IL) F Nick Rakocevic (@nick_rakocevic1) offered by UCLA today on visit there

[ccgeneral 38,084]

@nick_rakocevic1: I will be visiting Kansas Friday and attending Midnight Madness #KU #Big12

[ccgeneral 38,084]

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1712516

 

The Chicago Elite Classic has emerged as a high quality event over the past few years, as many of Chicago's top teams take on opponents from around the country. The most anticipated matchup this year was Westchester (Ill.) St. Joseph's taking on on Redondo Beach (Calif.) Union. St. Joe's took control early as four-star junior forward Nick Rakocevic led an impressive performance.

 

It wasn't lost on Nick Rakocevic or his teammates that their game against Redondo Union was the most highly anticipated game of the evening at the UIC Pavilion. It also wasn't lost on Rakocevic -- the No. 66 ranked player in the class of 2016 -- that he would be squaring off against the No. 8 ranked player in the class of 2017, Billy Preston.

 

Rakocevic responded in a big way. He outdueled Preston by scoring 15 points, grabbing 15 rebounds and blocking five shots while helping to lead St. Joe's to a 70-54 win.

 

"We wanted to stay aggressive and play together," Rakocevic said. "We just had to block out and play defense. Defense was the key, I thought we played phenomenal defense.

 

"Billly Preston is a phenomenal player, No. 8 in the country, I had to contain him the whole game. It was a hard job, the kid is skilled and he can do everything. I had to do it for my team."

 

Rakovevic looks like he has added some bulk to his lean 6-foot-9 frame. That bulk served him well as he played physically in the paint on both ends of the floor. He ran the floor, contested shots and played with some spirit. Not to mention his job on the defensive end was a big part of Preston's 1-for-11 field goal shooting on a five-point, 11-rebound night.

 

Rakocevic is being heavily recruited by high major programs and he has taken his fair share of visits so far. He's already seen Florida, Wisconsin, UCLA, Indiana, Kansas, Illinois and he said that he wants to hit Texas, Virginia and North Carolina down the road but he's in no rush to cut his list.

[ccgeneral 38,084]

@scottybscout: Two notes on top 2016 Nick Rakocevic. Will play this weekend in Lexington after injury. Says will cut list after July live periods are done

[ccgeneral 38,084]

‏@jkenny_ns: #iubb 2016 PF target Nick Rakocevic hopes to cut list of schools to "around 8" by the fall. Says IU "is good" in regards to making cut

[Walking Boot of Doom 18,170]

‏@jkenny_ns: #iubb 2016 PF target Nick Rakocevic hopes to cut list of schools to "around 8" by the fall. Says IU "is good" in regards to making cut

How kind of him to include us in his top 8 lol

[Walking Boot of Doom 18,170]

Kendrick going in on the kid:

@NDkendrick: Nic Rakocevic of Mac Irvin needs to stop whining on every non call and play. Jogging and bitching on every trip. Bad look.

[WayneFleekHoosier 46,723]

Kendrick going in on the kid:

@NDkendrick: Nic Rakocevic of Mac Irvin needs to stop whining on every non call and play. Jogging and bitching on every trip. Bad look.

based on this. Pass!

[Hutch89 2,939]

based on this. Pass!

 

is ND Kendrick to be trusted on his judgement though?

[Walking Boot of Doom 18,170]

is ND Kendrick to be trusted on his judgement though?

Seeing as his character evaluation of JaQuan Lyle is highly positive, I'd have to question his credibility.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 80,927]

Rakocevic has cut his list to 10 schools:  IU, Iowa, Wisconsin, UCLA, Texas, Tennessee, Creighton, So. Cal., Virginia and Miami (FL)  -- my order of listing not his.

[Jketch 385]

Is he even good though?

[Stuhoo 75,522]

Rakocevic has cut his list to 10 schools:  IU, Iowa, Wisconsin, UCLA, Texas, Tennessee, Creighton, So. Cal., Virginia and Miami (FL)  -- my order of listing not his.

 

That's not a very alphabetical order list.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 80,927]

That's not a very alphabetical order list.

 

Sheesh!  My list, my alphabet!  :rtfm:

[Stuhoo 75,522]

Sheesh!  My list, my alphabet!  :rtfm:

 

Never mind. I get a little dumb by the end of the week :)

[Alford Bailey 12,238]

Wow, forgot about this kid. He is pulling in some serious offers. Looks like a Bo Ryan special to me.

[BubbleKnuts 569]

Billy Preston's recruitment. Will it go round in circles?

As long as every coach/scout knows nothing from nothing leaves nothing.