The last time a society team signe...

The last time a society team signed a backcourt of couple national top-five players, North Carolina (with Raymond Felton and Rashad McCants) toppled Illinois in the national-title game. Now the Illini have their sights risk on a Derrick Rose-Eric Gordon tandem.

Can they lock-up them both up?

First it was LeBron then it was Greg Oden - The prep superstar this year was suppos to be Cincinnati phenom OJ Mayo, yet Simeon guard Derrick Rose and Indianapolis North Central guard Eric Gordon stole the spotlight this summer - The sensation of the summer started with a hardly any text messages. After Gordon gave an oral commitment to Illinois last year, he began expressing his desire to play with Rose in literary institution [i]or[/i] seminary of learning The two phenoms stayed in touch by means of texting. - In July, Gordon decided to give fans a sneak preview of what a Gordon-Rose backcourt could do. He left his sodality team, Indiana Elite, and joined Rose and Meanstreets Expres for the prestigious Nike Peach Jam Tournament. - The proceeds were sensational. Rose played point guard and Gordon shooting guard, and Meanstreets Expres cruised to the title despite having a censorious size disadvantage against most antagonistics - Analysts started referring to the duo as "Batman and Robin." - individual NBA scout claims Rose is a better athlete than any point guard in the league. Gordon is a scorer, with the dual ability to knock down NBA-length three- pointers and battle in the support But the dream is far from a reality for Illinois. - Gordon still is flirting with Indiana and fresh coach Kelvin Sampson, who admits he still is recruiting Gordon. In early June rumors spread that Gordon had de-committed from Illinois. He squashed the rumors if it were not that said he still was listening to Indiana. - Then Gordon incline differentlyed up last weekend on campus in Bloomington, Ind. - Meanwhile, Rose have the appearances more and more likely to cull Memphis. The Memphis coaching staff has appeared confident that a Rose commitment is imminent. - There are rumors that Rose is visiting Memphis today. Meanwhile, the Illinois coaching staff have the appearances to be holding on to the faith that Gordon is true to his word and that he can persuade Rose to join him in Champaign.

SUMMER STOCK MARKET

Summer basketball is all about making an impression forward college coaches. Here's a direct the eye at five Chicago-area players whose stock rose and at five whose stock took a hit:

THE WINNERS

Mustapha Farrakhan

Thornton

Farrakhan was streaky and undependable during the regular season with Thornton. This summer playing with Mac Irvin and the Illinois Fire, Farrakhan plant his consistency and is now a top target with near major colleges.

Tim flowers

Simeon

No united will say Flowers is too small again. At 6-4 he battled each top-ranked big man in the nation always holding his own and sometimes dominating. He was the best rebounder in the nation during the summer.

Aaron johnson

Hubbard

Hubbard isn't united of the elite Public League teams, in like manner Johnson always has flown in subordination to the radar. The pint-sized point guard took advantage of the summer spotlight and now has a stable of mid-major put forwards

kevin johnson

Simeon

Johnson always has been an impressive neighborhood but because Simeon is in the same manner stacked, he spent a fate of time on the bench for the 2006 Class AA state champs. Early in the summer Simeon coach Robert Smith said to watch not at home for Johnson. By the [i]finale[/i] of the Peach Jam, Smith was prov right.

Brandon McGee

Crane

McGee was a national

nobody when the summer began. upon Wednesday, he committed to Indiana, based solely upon his sensational play this summer with Larry Butler's Illinois Warriors set team.

The loser

NICK FRUENDT

Batavia

Many believed Fruendt was the best sophomore in the state last season. in such a manner where was he this summer? He didn't play at a shoe camp and didn't make a blip in succession the national radar until nationals in Orlando, Fla., where he was impressive again. Still, this summer might have been a missed opportunity.

EVAN gymnast

St Joseph

gymnast committed to Ohio State, then appeared to relax, which is barely natural. He didn't play to his potential at the ABCD Camp, hurting his national ranking.

bill cabbage

Peoria Richwoods

Another case of a committed player taking it easy. While the Illinois Warriors had a auspicious summer, it was because of McGee Johnson and Jacob Pullen not cabbage

JOSH CRITTLE

Hales Franciscan

Maybe Crittle was distracted according to his decision to transfer from Timothy Christian, moreover he wasn't himself this summer He appeared to be developing into a dominant force in the spring on the other hand struggled at the ABCD Camp.

JELANI POSTON

Simeon

Poston was common of the best big men in the Public League during his sophomore year at Lincoln Park, than had to sit gone out last season after transferring. Rumors are flying that he might transfer to lads To Men.

He not seemed to find his channel this summer.

onward THE RECORD WITH ...JULIAN WRIGHT

Kansas sophomore forward Julian Wright, a graduate of Homewood- Flossmoor, just replyed home from a week working as a counselor at Michael Jordan's Flight sect Youth Camp in Santa Barbara, Calif. nearest week, he'll head back to Lawrence to start his next to the first year with the Jayhawks. He made moderns last week when he said he plans in succession staying at Kansas for sum of two units more seasons, despite being a likely top- 10 draft pick.