CHAMPAIGN — E.J. Liddell was strictly a back-to-the-basket player at the beginning of his freshman season at Belleville West. Fairly effective, but only the tip of the iceberg of what he's proven to be capable of since.
But coaches that saw Liddell play this past spring and summer might have gotten a similar impression to what he showed in his earliest high school days.
Playing up an age group for Bradley Beal Elite on the Nike EYBL circuit, Liddell filled a role. Five-star guard Darius Garland was the focal point of the team. Liddell and fellow Class of 2019 forward Francis Okoro split time as secondary scoring options in the post, while primarily serving as rebounders and rim protectors.