Western Illinois knew Carmel's Duff had the right stuff
It was love at first sight: for both CJ Duff, and Western Illinois.
Duff fell in love with the Western Illinois campus, the men's basketball team and the coaching staff there the very first time he went there for a visit.
It was the same thing for the Western coaches the first time they laid eyes on Duff, in a 16-and-under AAU basketball tournament in Minnesota his sophomore year.
Duff, now a senior guard at Carmel, verbally committed to Western Illinois early in his junior year. He made his commitment official on Wednesday when he signed his national letter of intent for a full scholarship to Western Illinois at a special ceremony at Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein.
"I've had my eyes set on Western Illinois," the 6-foot-1 Duff said. "They've been in contact with me 24/7 since they first saw me. I jumped on that. There were other schools who were interested. But I wanted to follow the people who were showing me the most love.
"It's a really great coaching staff, a young coaching staff that is very relatable. I feel comfortable with them. I think all of the coaches can be a really great influence in my life. I just wanted to go to a program that I thought would be a good fit for me."
Duff averaged 21 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals per game for the Corsairs last season. This is his fourth year on varsity.
"I think the coaches (at Western) really like my style as a combo guard," Duff said. "I can shoot the ball from deep and also make plays off the dribble. I can also be a team player with my passing and I can be physical, too.
"I'm just hoping I can do whatever I can to help make the team successful."
Duff was an honorable mention all-state selection last season as well as all-conference in the East Suburban Catholic Conference. In the Jacobs holiday tournament, he set a tournament record with 139 points (27.8 ppg).
"CJ is a combo guard who brings great shooting ability, strength, and a passion for the game," Western Illinois coach Billy Wright said. "CJ comes from a great family with family values that mirror Western Illinois University's and our basketball program's core values. CJ is a solid young man, who has performed well in the classroom, in the community, and on the basketball court. I am really excited about his potential and to add him to our basketball family."
Duff, who plans to study to be a physical therapist, still has work to do at Carmel before he leaves. He's expecting big things out of the Corsairs this season and plans to enjoy every moment, just as he did with the recruiting process.
"I know the recruiting process can be hectic and some people get tired of it, but I tried to soak in every moment," Duff said. "I was just so thankful that someone was willing to give me the opportunity to play Division I basketball."
pbabcock@dailyherald.com