Nov. 17, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State head men's basketball Tim Jankovich announced that Jon Ekey [ee-KEY] (Chrisman HS - Independence, Mo.) signed a National Letter of Intent Monday to continue his education and basketball career at Illinois State University.
Ekey, a 6-foot-7, 190-pound forward, was also part of the AAU Kansas City Pump `n Run squad that won two national tournaments. As a junior, Ekey collected a state-leading 151 blocked shots, including a season-best 11 blocked shots in a game against Lee's Summit North High School.
"Jon is an exciting talent, as he has outstanding length, leaping ability and three-point range all in one, and that is a rare combination," said Jankovich. "He's an outstanding shooter, and at the same time, he's an outstanding shot blocker. When his body matures and as he gains strength, we think he can be an outstanding player."
Ekey also averaged 13.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, while sinking 77 shots from three-point range. He went on to receive first-team all-district and all-conference honors as a junior. He was also named the most valuable player of the 2008 Olathe South Tournament. Ekey ranks in the top-five percent of his class academically.
Ekey join guards Terrence Johnson (North Lawndale College Prep - Chicago) and Zeke Upshaw (University High School - Chicago) in the Illinois State 2009 recruiting class.
