Public League scores big on signing day

Young basketball players Ahmad Starks (Oregon State), Anthony Johnson (Purdue) and JR Reynolds (Rice) sign letters of intent at the Omni Hotel.
(Brian Jackson/Sun-Times)

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Goofy little smiles aren’t exactly part of the image that high-profile high school basketball players like to convey.

But Wednesday morning at the Omni Hotel, that’s exactly what crept across the faces of Young seniors JR Reynolds, Ahmad Starks and Anthony Johnson, as the three players signed their national letters of intent in front of their teammates and families.

Starks, who signed with Oregon State, and Johnson, who signed with Purdue, are the two superstars. Each player has garnered  headlines for the past three seasons, and the duo will assume a major leadership role this season for the Class 4A defending state champion Dolphins.

Reynolds, who signed with Rice, is a rare case. The 6-4 forward was not a four, or even three-year varsity phenom. He’s never even been a starter for Young.

‘‘I think I’m an inspiration for a lot of other guys in the program,’’ Reynolds said. ‘‘When I was a freshman I played on the freshman team and I played with the sophomores when I was a sophomore. I didn’t even get a lot of playing time last year on varsity.’’

Reynolds made the most of the opportunities he did get last season, and then impressed this summer playing club basketball.

The local class of 2010 should have a major impact on the Big Ten over the next few years.

The conference was able to land the four major in-state recruits: Johnson, Jereme Richmond (Illinois), Crandall Head (Illinois) and Lenzelle Smith (Ohio State).

‘‘It should be a lot of fun playing against all those guys in college,’’ Johnson said. ‘‘It’s definitely going to be competitive. We’ve all been playing against each other since we were kids.’’

Most of the signing day ceremonies around the area will be held today, since a number of schools were closed for Veterans Day. But college coaches were not taking a chance on waiting, so nearly every high-major recruit signed and faxed in his letter Wednesday morning.

‘‘I talked with [Purdue coach Matt Painter] this morning,’’ Johnson said. ‘‘They definitely wanted [the letter] today. He congratulated me on officially becoming part of the family.’’