Big Ten Scouting Report: 2017 Five-Star Small Forward Kris Wilkes

Kris Wilkes is a big-time target for seven Big Ten teams. The 6-7 wing from North Central High School in Indianapolis has received offers from Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, and Purdue. He's also received interest from Ohio State.

Wilkes is rated as a five-star prospect by Rivals and Scout - ranked 12th and 13th, respectively - while ESPN gives him four stars and the 27th spot in their 2017 rankings.

In the videos above you'll seem some of the (best) parts of Wilkes' game. He's long and lanky with a smooth jump shot. While he's probably not an explosive athlete, it's certainly not a weakness either. Through six games on the Under Armour Association circuit, he's averaging 20.7 points per game on 54.5% shooting and 6.7 rebounds, according to their stats listed on their website.

The Big Ten schools courting Wilkes will have heavy competition from fellow big-time programs spread around the country. Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, and UCLA are all also involved with his recruitment and should all be taken as serious contenders, obviously. Kentucky is leading of the five Crystal Ball predictions given on 247 Sports, for whatever that's worth.

In reality, it seems like no one really has a great idea which way Wilkes is leaning in terms of favorites to land him. You can find him saying positive things on about every team recruiting him, depending on what program the site interviewing him is affiliated with. None of it is all that revelatory, however. He has indicated that he wants to take two of his five official visits to UCLA and Maryland in order to see the schools furthest away recruiting him, according to Gold & Black Illustrated. Schools are allowed to pay for recruits' travel on official visits, unlike those of the unofficial variety.

Indiana and Purdue have the ability to play the "close to home" card, if that's something that's important to Wilkes. Both of them are about an hour drive from his hometown in Indianapolis. The Hoosiers will be looking to replace fellow 6-7 wing, Troy Williams, after next season. The Boilermakers can also point to Vince Edwards' and Robbie Hummel's success in their offense as a recruiting tool, in addition to the fact that they've been looking for a go-to scorer like Wilkes for a few years.

Michigan State's resume over the last two decades speaks for itself and they may have plenty of opportunity, depending on the NBA decisions of their star-studded recruiting class coming in this season.

Michigan is in a similar boat to Indiana, as they'll be looking to replace Zak Irvin. Wings like Irvin, Caris LeVert, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Glenn Robinson III have thrived in John Beilein's system

Maryland is the most distant from Indianapolis by a lot, but if Wilkes does go through with taking an official visit there, it'll give the Terps a fighting chance with the local schools that Wilkes has seen several times before. Although Jake Layman is graduating, incoming freshman Micah Thomas has a very similar game to Wilkes. However, wherever he goes, he'll find playing time and Mark Turgeon can point to Layman, Dez Wells, and Khris Middleton as success stories under his guidance.

Illinois and Ohio State will certainly be able to promote opportunity. The Illini will be looking to replace Malcolm Hill, who's obviously a huge part of their offense. Ohio State was already working with a shallow roster this past season and that was before four players transferred away. I would bet that Evan Turner's name makes an appearance in that recruitment. Keita Bates-Diop plays a similar position and will still have eligibility left, but there's a chance Bates-Diop plays himself into an NBA Draft pick next season.

All told, Wilkes could end up at any of the Big Ten schools recruiting him or possibly none of them. His decision may impact the conference more than any other 2017 recruit.