June 23, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
Incoming Illinois State freshmen basketball players Kenyon Smith and Jeremy Robinson will conclude their high school careers by competing in the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Class 3A/4A Senior All-Star Game Saturday at the Shirk Center in Bloomington, Ill. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m., and tickets are $6 per person in advance, or $7 per person at the door, and children 5-and-under are free.
Head coach Tim Jankovich is pleased to have two of his future players participating in the game, but is even more excited that the game will be taking place in Illinois State's backyard.
"It's great to have any of our guys playing in all-star games, but what a tremendous bonus to have two of our players playing in a game right here in our town," said Jankovich. "It is a win-win situation for everyone."
Smith, who attended Chicago Simeon High School, will suit up for the North squad, while Robinson, a Decatur Eisenhower product, will compete for the South team. This won't be the first time that the two have faced each other on the hardwood, and in Bloomington-Normal. Robinson and the Panthers defeated Simeon, 60-57, at the Heartland Diversity Officials Association Shootout in the U.S. Cellular Coliseum Dec. 15, 2007.
Smith and Robinson account for one-half of the Illinois State freshman class for the 2008-09 season, joining Ty Modupe and Kellen Thornton.
