CHAMPAIGN — E.J. Liddell climbed 25 spots in the Class of 2019 when 247Sports updated its rankings last week. The 6-foot-7 forward now checks in at No. 57 in the country on that list, bringing the Belleville West product's rankings a little more in line since Rivals has him at No. 39 in the senior class.
Liddell's rankings have fluctuated the past two years even if his play hasn't. He put up monster numbers in leading Belleville West to a Class 4A state title this season — earning News-Gazette All-State Player of the Year and Illinois Mr. Basketball honors in the process — while also playing a key role for Brad Beal Elite on the Nike EYBL circuit for a second spring and summer in a row.