George Conditt was a total unknown when the basketball season ended in March. His team, Corliss, finished the season 8-12, fourth place in the Blue-South. It’s a long road from that point to signing with a high-major school.
“To be honest, I knew everything was coming, even during the season last year,” Conditt said. “But I didn’t know it was coming like this, Inever imagined it would get as big as it did, with 40 offers and everything.”
Conditt was surrounded by his friends, family, coaches, teammates and school officials as he signed his letter of intent to Iowa State. The 6-10 senior is part of the local trio heading to Ames, Iowa next season.
Hinsdale South’s Zion Griffin and Simeon’s Talen Horton-Tucker also signed with the Cyclones on Wednesday. Iowa State coach Steve Prohm landed three of the state’s top four prospects.
“George brings size, length and really good skill in the front court,” Prohm said. “His best basketball is ahead of him. As we went through the process he was a guy we had to get. We are ecstatic about getting him.”
Conditt was the area’s breakout sensation on the spring and summer club circuit. He’ll be a marked man this high school season, but he says he his ready for the challenge.
“A lot of behind the scenes work went into this, a lot of patience,” Conditt said. “I worked hard for this. I’m ready for what the season will bring. I have to go at everybody. Everyone is going to come at me stronger so I need to play my heart out every game.”
ILLINOIS GETS ITS MAN
Ayo Dosunmu made it official with Illinois, signing his letter of intent on Wednesday. He’s the best local recruit the Illini have signed since Waukegan’s Jereme Richmond.
“It’s not a good day, it’s a great day for the history of Illinois basketball,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said.
Dosunmu was the only player to sign with Illinois, which has two scholarships remaining. Underwood said he expects to bring in a big man and a shooter.
STILL ON THE BOARD
The class of 2018 is one of the weakest in the state’s history. It was a slim list of players that signed on Wednesday. There are several players virtually guaranteed to sign with D1 schools eventually, including Simeon’s Xavier Pinson and Zion Young, Larkin’s Jalen Shaw, Conant’s Ryan Davis, Libertyville’s Drew Peterson and Orr’s Raekwon Drake.
