5-star Omaha Biliew discusses schools involved + pro route

On3 imageby:Joe Tipton01/19/22

TiptonEdits

5-star junior Omaha Biliew of Link Year (Mo.) Prep is competing on a loaded team, packed with seniors. The Des Moine, Iowa native plays alongside 2022 prospects Julian Phillips (LSU), Jordan Walsh (Arkansas), Felix Okpara (Ohio State), Tarris Reed Jr. (Michigan), and others.

Playing on a team with so much depth, you can often be overlooked. But not Biliew. He flies around the court with elite speed and quickness. Playing the power forward position at 6-foot-8, 215 pounds, Biliew is incredibly athletic. He describes himself as being “super versatile. I can do anything. I’m just a basketball player, a complete basketball player. I can shoot, dribble. The biggest thing I hold is probably my defense.”

Biliew’s role on this team isn’t to fill up the stat sheet with points, and his impact is much greater than just what the numbers show. As Biliew’s game continues to advance, and as those seniors graduate and move on to college, keep an eye on Biliew as he will have a much greater opportunity to showcase his talent at Link Year. Mind you, Biliew is the highest-ranked prospect on this squad.

Biliew is the No. 7 prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Biliew hears from several schools frequently

In regards to his recruitment, Biliew says he hears the most frequently from “Oregon, Iowa State, Kansas, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, and a little bit from Auburn.”

Biliew doesn’t have any visits currently scheduled but says he would like to see both Oregon and Arkansas.

The junior forward has taken an official visit to Nebraska, and unofficial trips to Kansas, Iowa State, Iowa, and Oklahoma State.

The pro route is in the mix

As for most 5-star prospects, bypassing college and joining a pro league is also an option for Biliew. However, he didn’t specify which professional option was available, i.e., Overtime Elite, G-League, NBL, etc.

“I hear it,” Biliew said in regards to the pro route. “But right now, I feel like, for me, I don’t like rushing things. But I’m glad I have the opportunity. To have that option is a blessing so I’m not going to shy that away from myself.”

Biliew continued by saying “I’m just focused on college, and going to the D1 level.” 

Biliew says he plans on going to college but will leave the door open to the pro option. “I’m never going to cancel that option.”