Sometimes, quotes, reports, and pictures just can’t do justice for the hectic lifestyle of a Division I basketball recruit. So with that in mind, we decided perhaps the best way to illustrate the tiring process is to let the recruits tell you in their own words.

We will hand select a few particular recruits that are willing to write their own diaries occasionally, giving you an inside look into their process and their own recruitment. Considering the extreme amount of time spent in school, practice, games, and talking to coaches, we have left the frequency up to them.

For now, however, we bring you the first edition of the Bucknuts Recruiting Diary as a short recap from Winnebago, Ill. prospect Devan Bawinkel.

Bawinkel is a 6-4 guard who plays AAU for the Illinois Wolves. He’s a teammate of another Ohio State recruiting target, Will Walker. Bawinkel has graciously volunteered to write every so often on the intricacies and details of his recruitment and how basketball is going for him.

As nearly a 4.0 student, who also averaged 18 points a game on the hardwood this past season, Bawinkel is a player who excels both in the classroom and on the floor. For the first recruiting diary, Bawinkel has kept it short and sweet just to introduce himself to you.

We will try to introduce a few more diaries in the next couple of weeks, and keep having a few running at a time. As we continue to line more up, here is Devan in his own words: the first edition of the Bucknuts Recruiting Diary.

What’s up? This is Devan Bawinkel from Winnebago High School and the Illinois Wolves.  My high school team had a great season, finishing second in the state for the second year in a row.  I ended the season averaging 21 points nine rebounds and four assists. 

This summer, I'll be teaming with Will Walker, Will Veasley, and TJ Marion for the Illinois Wolves.  We've already played in several tournaments this spring.  We played in the Kingwood Classic, Spiece Run-N-Slam, and Illinois Wolves Hoops Challenge.  Our next tournament is in Louisville next weekend.  We'll be playing all over the place this summer. 

As far as recruiting goes, I'm really looking at DePaul, Northwestern, Michigan State, Ohio State, Georgetown, Miami-Florida, Nebraska, Tennessee, North Carolina State, and NIU. I have no favorites and I'm just keeping my options open. I've been meeting with a lot of coaches at my school.  Two weeks ago I met with Tom Izzo and John Thompson. 

All these schools seem so perfect but it's going to be a tough decision. 

I'll see how my summer goes and I'll make a decision in August or in the fall.  I know wherever I go I will have fun and get a good education. I found out that the recruiting process can be a lot of fun, but a lot of stress, as well.  I just try to have fun with it because you only go through it one time.
                        
Until Next Time,
Devan Bawinkel

Stay tuned in the coming days and weeks until we introduce a few more diaries. We hope this will be a fun feature for both the kids and those who enjoy following recruiting. We hope it will begin to give a good understanding at just how stressful it can be to recruits and coaches.

In the future, we will also try to touch on many different aspects of the recruiting process. From visits, to phone calls, to mail, to everything else. So stay tuned, and enjoy hearing it straight from the source.