Michael Nee, Glenbard East’s 6-2 guard, has transformed from an underrated recruit to one of Illinois’ premier shooting talents. He drilled 98 threes as a junior, hitting 47% from beyond the arc, and crossed 1,000 career points before his senior year. His persistence paid off with multiple Division I offers and a commitment to South Dakota after an impactful official visit, where the staff and small-town vibe clicked. Nee will join Hinsdale Central’s Vince Buzelis at South Dakota, adding a shyly rising Illinois pipeline to the Coyotes. Nee’s floor-spacers’ gravity could seed immediate offensive upside, provided he can defend and handle more ballhandling duties in a college system. The Breakaway Adidas circuit helped him showcase elite range, and his growth arc suggests a breakout college season with real fantasy leverage for shooters.

The recruiting arc emphasizes not just Nee’s shooting, but the broader narrative: a program that values shooting versatility and a coaching staff that actively pursued him early. The connection to Vince Buzelis, and the familial link to Matas Buzelis of the Bulls, adds a compelling storyline as Illinois prospects feed into the Coyotes’ roster. South Dakota’s embrace of these under-the-radar Illinois talents signals a trend where prolific shooters find college homes that maximize their floor-stretching skills, setting the stage for a potential fantasy-friendly run if Nee can scale his defensive and playmaking responsibilities in his first year.