According to the Chicago Sun Times DeAndre Thomas made a statement at the Bob Gibbons' tournament in North Carolina.

Thomas, a 6'8 post from Chicago Westinghouse, showed off an all-around post game and continues to show impressive hands for such a large guy. He generally ranks near the top in the state of Illinois for post play in the Class of 2005. Schools in pursuit include Purdue, Illinois, DePaul, Illinois-Chicago, Iowa, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Ohio State.

Purdue watching Tillema

Randolph High's Wisconsin-bound 6'11 center Greg Stiemsma gets a lot of attention, but Purdue has been looking at Randolph's junior forward Ryan Tillema. The 6'7 forward led the team in most statistical categories as a junior, averaging 19.1 points, eight rebounds, and four assists with nearly a 4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Tillema's game is versatile. Playing on the inside for the injured Stiemsma this season, he added that power to an already solid perimeter game. In the state championship game, Tillema hit 4-of-6 three-pointers and grabbed 12 boards. Randolph won their third consecutive WIAA Division IV state championship behind Tillema's 20 points, finishing the season undefeated at 26-0.

Tillema shoots 64-percent from the floor and 45-percent from the perimeter. His questionmarks remain defensive intensity, but has made strides his junior season.

Wisconsin-Green Bay and Valparaiso have scholarship offers on the table, with Dayton, Northern Iowa Arkansas and West Virginia in pursuit. Purdue joins Big Ten heavyweights Wisconsin and Illinois taking a "wait and see" approach.