"He's tired of the rat race,'' Lee coach Greg Brown said. "Coaches are calling like crazy. He really loved Illinois, and he wanted to get it over with before the holidays so the phone wouldn't be ringing off the hook.''

Langford, who has posted four triple-doubles this season, said the Big 10 and Illinois' reputation for big guards helped him made a decision.

"I just felt it was a better school for me,'' he said.

The Langford's are dealing with a health issue regarding a family member. He'll miss the first half of Lee's trip to Memphis - the team leaves today for regular season and tournament games that will keep it in Tennessee until next week - and plans to join the Generals over the weekend.

Brown said Langford has averaged a double-double scoring and rebounding.

"It'll be a good opportunity for the other kids to go up there and play without him,'' Brown said.

Lee takes a 10-3 record and a No. 2 state ranking to Memphis, where it plays Siegel (Tenn.) in the Lynx Holiday Classic tonight at Lausanne Collegiate. The Generals play the host Saturday.

Brown said Langford was besieged before and after games by recruiters and felt pressure to perform and "keep up his reputation.''

"Now that (committing) is taken care of he can concentrate on his grades and playing,'' Brown said. "Everywhere we went he had someone in his face trying to get in (on signing him). He was the last (top prospect) left in the state other than the kid at Butler (Trevor Lacey).''

Langford is academically qualified.

"I felt a lot of relief,'' Langford said. "At the same time, I didn't want to rush. I wanted to get it over with, but I also wanted to make a good decision.''

Brown said Langford's shooting ability and height weren't the only assets that made him attractive to Illinois coaches.

"He doesn't mind distributing the ball,'' Brown said. "He's a big-time player. The Big 10 is a powerful conference and he has to step up to the challenge.''