By Greg Halbleib
University of Illinois men’s basketball coach John Groce has reportedly landed a big recruit in 6-10 center Jeremiah Tilmon, rated as the Number 19 recruit in the country. Tilmon is a native of East St. Louis and is currently at La Lumiere, a prep school in LaPorte, Indiana. Groce has three scholarships remaining for the 2017 recruiting class.
Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins blasted 61 homers in the three rounds of the All-Star Home Run Derby, beating defending champion Todd Frazier of the White Sox 20-13 in the final round, to take the annual tribute to the long ball. Tonight’s 87th Major League Baseball All-Star Game is at Petco Park in San Diego. Starting pitchers are the Giants’ Johnny Cueto and Chris Sale of the White Sox.
The Frontier League Home Run Derby is tonight in Florence, Kentucky on the eve of the circuit’s All-Star Game. CornBelters right fielder Nolan Meadows is among the 10 participants. The rookie leads the Frontier League with 13 home runs at the halfway point.
New CornBelters right-hander Charlie Gillies is this week’s Frontier League Pitcher of the Week. He twirled a complete-game one-hitter on Wednesday in just his second start with the team.
The Peoria Chiefs lost at Wisconsin 5-3. The Midwest League takes today off to give MLB center stage.
Illinois State University athletics has announced the 2016 class of its Percy Family Hall of Fame. Baseball’s Jared Dufault, diver Krystal Featherston and softball’s Lori Vogel McPike will be inducted on October 8 during Homecoming weekend. Longtime member of the ISU statistics crew Neal MacDonald will receive the Campbell “Stretch” Miller Award for service to the athletics programs.
San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan has announced his retirement after 19 seasons. Duncan spent his entire career with the Spurs, earning five championships, two regular season MVPs, three finals MVPs and 15 All-Star appearances.
