Lou Henson, Lon Krueger, and Bill Self all held one thing in common — recruiting top notch players.

Bruce Weber showed he is as apt as his predecessors by receiving a commitment from West Aurora 6-foot-8-inch forward Shaun Pruitt on Tuesday.

As Weber's first signed recruit, Pruitt has the potential to be a star in the Big Ten, according to Pruitt's high school coach Gordon Kerkman.

Kerkman would know Big Ten standouts — he coached Illinois All-Big Ten player Kenny Battle at West Aurora.

Pruitt is the 67th ranked high school basketball player in the nation, according to www.theinsiders.com. Pruitt is one of the three top players in the state, along with guard Shaun Livingston of Peoria Central and guard Justin Cerasoli, Pruitt's high school teammate.

The left-handed post player has a few things to accomplish in order to become the player Kerkman sees him turning into.

"He needs to improve the physical part of his game," Kerkman said. "Gaining upper body strength, as well as lower body strength ... He also needs to improve his overall athletic ability."

Kerkman is quick to point out that Pruitt knows what he needs to do. Coaches across the nation, though, know the kind of talent Pruitt is.

"At 6-foot-8(-inch) he can handle the ball well. Not many guys his size can do that," Kerkman said.

Illinois, Michigan State, Indiana and Marquette were all on the recruiting trail after Pruitt. In the end the Illini edged out the Spartans for Pruitt's services.

Kerkman sees maturity as a key to Pruitt's development from high school to college.

"(In college, players) mature faster and the environment is more structured," Kerkman said. "For example, I can't say you have to be in our weight program in the offseason. At Illinois they have it (there) for you."

Pruitt has had a tough time staying healthy on the court. He has been plagued with injuries, and missed 20 games last year with a broken leg.

Weber runs a motion offense. Pruitt should fit in easily with Weber's offensive sets, since he plays in a five-man motion offense at West Aurora.

"He could fit into any kind of system," Kerkman said.

Illinois, in the classroom and on the court, should be a great fit for Pruitt.

"Illinois is a great school," Kerkman said. "You can't go wrong attending there and it has always been a great basketball program."