'They Showed Me The Way'

On March 7, four-star guard Quentin Coleman requested his launch from Wake ForestEdit after signing throughout the fall. On Friday, the 6-foot-4 senior at St. Louis (Mo.) Principia has dedicated to Illinois.

Coleman ranks No. 34 in the 2026 class.

He was on campus for his official go to a number of days in the past and instructed 247Sports that his time with Brad Underwood and the Illini sealed the deal for him.

“I just felt like it was the best decision for my family and me,” Coleman mentioned. “I had just decommitted from a great program, and after I reopened (my recruitment), Illinois was one of the first schools to hit me up. They were in the rotation and talking to me before (first commitment).

“The go to was nice. They showed me the manner. They showed me who I could possibly be there, the expectations of me once I get there. The way of life and the whole lot I noticed was nice.”

Coleman first started to burst onto the national scene last spring and summer when he helped Brad Beal Elite win a championship at Nike’s Peach Jam. During the past season, he took things to another level as a scorer, playmaker and all-around guard. His season culminated in a 50-point outing in a state championship win and he’s got a chance to make another move up the rankings.

While there’s been a tendency to view Coleman as a potential Keaton Wagler replacement, Coleman said that Underwood’s vision is more about winning and letting him be himself, not trying to have him play like anybody who has come before him.

“Coach’s imaginative and prescient for me is coming in there and serving to to win a National Championship,” Coelman said. “Hopefully, they get it finished this 12 months, however I’m attempting to assist him get one other one subsequent 12 months.”

“They undoubtedly in contrast me (to others) however they need me to be Quentin Coleman. They simply need me to return in there, play free and be that man.”

Coleman joins a category that already contains four-star guard Lucas Morillo and three-star prospects Ethan Brown and Landon Davis. He’s excited to be dedicated and is targeted on subsequent season.

“It feels good. Now I can deal with one college and one aim. I’m preparing for some massive camps coming and simply getting to school.”