When a prospect goes through the recruiting cycle and has garnered eight different offers from programs in the same league, it feels a little extra special for a college head coach when he lands that prospect. Illinois State coach Ryan Pedon is that coach feeling a little extra special. Nick Allen of Bradley-Bourbonnais has committed to Pedon and the Redbirds. The 6-10 big man had a dozen-plus offers, including eight from Missouri Valley Conference schools. He was scheduled to visit MVC schools Drake and Murray State in the coming weeks but ended his recruitment following an official visit this past weekend.
“I was planning on taking more visits,” Allen said. “But after taking my visit, feeling the family atmosphere and being around the guys there and the coaches, I was inspired and was totally bought in. Coach Pedon is a great person, and I loved the view he had of my game and development.”
Allen admits Illinois State was on the back burner initially, saying “they weren’t really in my top three or four schools in the beginning.” But persistence paid off. Allen said Pedon and the Redbirds staff, who had been on him since his sophomore year, remained consistent. Their approach eventually stood out.
“They reached out after every game I played, and I really got to know them and what they are all about,” Allen said.
There was even a moment that stood out to Allen during the recruiting process that pushed ISU near the top.
“I was coming off what I thought was a pretty bad spring AAU season, and it was just something he [coach Pedon] said to my dad, actually,” Allen said.
As Pedon was talking with Allen’s dad, Scott, he mentioned that the last time he talked to Nick on the phone he could tell that his son was pretty down about how he had played in recent weeks.
“He told my dad that the evaluation process is done and we love Nick,” Allen said of Pedon’s perspective in that spring conversation. “We are here for him and we aren’t going anywhere. We are going to be there for him in his highest and lowest. That opened my eyes a little at that time. They were at my best and worst games and they never wavered.”
Allen’s tools are enticing for a player with legitL big man size. He has a back-to-the-basket game with growing confidence and assertiveness with his footwork, feel and touch around the rim.
Allen is among the top dozen prospects in the Class of 2025. He was a Sun-Times All-Area pick AP All-State selection as a junior. And he’s a recruiting coup for a mid-major program.
Landing a quality 5-man who isn’t simply a developmental project but accomplished and productive is a big recruiting win for the Redbirds. As a junior this past season he averaged an impressive 19 points and nine rebounds a game.
“I am just happy I found the right place and made the right decision,” Allen said.
NORMAL — CEFCU Arena was a busy place this past weekend, and Illinois State basketball coach Ryan Pedon was the recipient of good news times three when it was over. After visiting the ISU campus together, Bradley-Bourbonnais center Nick Allen, Waubonsie Valley guard Tyreek Coleman and Cary, North Carolina, guard Isaac Ericksen all have committed to sign a national letter of intent with the Redbirds.
The 6-foot-11, 230-pound Allen was highly sought throughout the Missouri Valley Conference, holding offers from Indiana State, Bradley, Southern Illinois, Murray State, Belmont and Drake along with Miami of Ohio, Loyola and Penn.
“The biggest thing was the coaches. All of them were just great,” Allen said of ISU. “They were at my best games, they were at my worst games and they never swayed.”
Allen averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds and nearly three blocks as a junior for a 19-9 Boilermakers squad and earned Class 4A Illinois Basketball Coaches Association first team all-state honors.
“I’m pretty mobile for my size and good at running the court,” said Allen. “My strong suit is probably angles. I’m good at sealing and getting around guys. I’m good over both shoulders and pretty tough around the rim. Shot blocking is one of my strengths.”
Allen believes, with encouragement from Pedon, he also can become a threat from the perimeter. “Pedon thinks he can help me become a more versatile big,” Allen said. “I’m probably not ready yet for shooting college 3s, but that’s the goal.”
Allen had productive conversations with “almost every player on the team individually and they all seem like great guys. I could tell they really believe what Pedon does and they live by it.”
Allen played with Coleman on the AAU Illinois Wolves and became acquainted with Ericksen this weekend. “I’ve known Tyreek for a while,” said Allen. “I met Isaac and liked him a lot. I’m excited to get to know him more.”
Coleman is a 6-2 point guard with experience playing off the ball. He helped Waubonsie Valley to a 27-3 record by averaging 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.
“I play the point guard position with the ultimate goal of winning,” Coleman said. “I’m a very versatile player. I can affect the game in a lot of aspects. I’m always looking for passing lanes to get teammates involved. I can definitely go in and get buckets on my own off the dribble and shooting over screens.”
Coleman also considers his defense a strength. “With my length and speed, I’m usually able to stay in front of my man,” he said. “I like to be strong in that regard, speed them up and create turnovers.”
Coleman, who also had offers from Miami of Ohio, Northern Iowa, Murray State, Indiana State, Missouri State, Colorado State and Florida International, said talking with current ISU players “about why they like ISU definitely helped with my decision.
“Pedon broke down my game. I love hearing criticism,” said Coleman. “Coach (Jason) Slay and Coach Pedon didn’t miss a game this summer and spring. They showed they were committed to getting to know me as a player and getting to know my family. They always led with honesty and humility. That’s something me and my family value a lot here at home.”
Coleman indicated he had a fun weekend with Allen and Ericksen. “We got a chance to chop it up a lot. We were all on the same plane as far as our mindset,” he said. “We liked the coaches a lot. What they’re building is something we all wanted to be a part of.”
The 6-9, 195-pound Ericksen attends Green Level High School where he averaged 19 points and nine rebounds last season. “I think I’m a very versatile player who can guard multiple positions and shoot it from outside,” said Ericksen. “I’m able to use my height on smaller defenders and cause mismatches and problems for defenses.”
Ericksen said he enjoyed “the culture and how the entire program is invested in me as a player.”
Ericksen is easily able to picture a college career along with Allen and Coleman as Redbirds. “We had a great weekend getting to know each other,” he said. “The years we’re playing together are going to be great.”
Ericksen also netted scholarship offers from Furman, College of Charleston, Mercer and Arkansas State.
NCAA rules prohibit Pedon from commenting on recruits until they sign national letters of intent.
Ericksen is a 6’9” guard/forward who currently attends Green Level High School in Gary, NC. Ericksen averaged 18.1 ppg and 8.3 rpg last season. He had interest from schools such as Furman, Arkansas State, and more.
Allen is a three-star prospect according to 247 Sports. The 6’11” center received interest from Northern Iowa, Eastern Illinois and other schools. Allen is a local player from Bradley, IL.
Coleman is a 6’2” guard who had a breakout season in his junior year. He led Waubonsie Valley to a 27-3 record and was named to the Suns-Time All-Area team.
These are the first three recruits of head coach Ryan Pedon’s 2025-26 campaign.
On Monday, Isaac Ericksen announced his commitment to further his playing career at Illinois State—choosing them over the likes of Mercer, Arkansas State, Furman, Eastern Kentucky, UNC Asheville, and UMass Lowell. The move is significant for a myriad of reasons. On one hand, it removes one of the top available prospects from the recruiting board. However, it also provides the Redbirds with a skilled, versatile forward who can cause various matchup problems for opponents. Ultimately, the commitment is no surprise. Ericksen has been a noteworthy prospect since middle school and has maintained an upward trajectory since then. We spoke with Ericksen in order to get a deeper understanding of his commitment and expectations for the future…
JB: Talk about your recruitment process and what ultimately led to your decision to commit to Illinois State?
IE: I chose Illinois State primarily because of the culture and belief the coaching staff has in me. The way the broke down my game and understood me as a player and person is what ultimately led to the commitment.
JB: How do you see yourself fitting with the system/structure?
IE: I think I’m going to fit in great and be a valuable asset [by] using my versatility to have success at the next level.
JB: What are you looking to improve going forward?
IE: I want to keep improving physically and my ability to control the game going into college.
For those who haven’t watched or followed Ericksen, he’s a fluid athlete with size, length, and a quality skillset. Ericksen is a useful shooting threat who spaces the floor, excels in the midrange, and scores well around the basket. He’s made steady strides as a defensive piece and two-way rebounder. Although his game blossomed over time, Ericksen was above his peers early on. He transitioned to high school and immediately stood out as the most productive player on the team despite being only one of two freshmen on the roster. Ericksen led the team in scoring and rebounding for three straight seasons while showing considerable improvement in his game. While it was certainly a group effort, there’s no denying the role Ericksen played in elevating this team’s record from 12-14 to 19-9 to 29-2.
After playing with Team Loaded for two summers, Ericksen concluded his travel ball career as a focal point for SW15H Elite. The program’s founder, Scott Wood, speaks highly of Ericksen, “The Redbirds are getting a high IQ, hard worker, and an absolute gym rat. He might arguably spend more time in the gym than the janitor. Isaac is a very versatile player who can play multiple positions. One that will only continue to get better. Isaac is the type of player that all coaches would regard as an honor to have coached.” SW15H Elite assistant coach, Cooper Hart, also had glowing praise for Ericksen, “Isaac is one of the most professional players I’ve been around. He’s an incredibly consistent worker and has come into his own as a leader. He’ll add as much value to a program off the court as he will on it. He’s been integral in the rise of our program and is a shining example of what it means to do things the ‘SW15H Elite’ way.”
The production, success (both team and individual), and achievements have followed Ericksen throughout his playing career. All signs point to him enjoying a special senior season before departing for Illinois State. Beyond the size, skillset, and on-court ability, Ericksen has shown the maturity, humility, and work ethic to ignite a winning culture. Don’t be surprised when he blossoms into a major difference-maker for the Redbirds.
