Basketball

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Connor Cagley, Illini Guys Basketball and Recruiting Writer

When it comes to the 2022 recruiting class the Illini aren’t in dire need. This is partly due to the fact the Illini have 3 recruits in the 2021 class who will be getting a majority of their minutes at the shooting guard or small forward positions. With less immediate need at these positions, it means Illinois can be more selective of who they take and it allows for a more specialized recruiting pitch. At this point, when evaluating the wings they are recruiting in this class, three stick out as “sure takes” to my eyes. 

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One can understand why a true center in the 2021 recruiting class may not have given the Illini a long look. The question of Kofi returning casts a shadow over the roster until the July 7th NBA draft deadline hits.

The class of 2022 should be totally different. Illinois will recruiting with Omar Payne as the only center on the entire roster. The sense of urgency from the Illini staff to find a reliable option in the middle should be something recruits can pick up on. If the staff is getting the right messaging across, recruits should be able to see the opportunity available at this position for Illinois.

At the NY2LA Lone Star Invitational tourney in Dallas, I had a chance to catch up with Danny Wolf. Wolf is a 6'10" F for the Mac Irvin Fire 17U team. 

Danny is a player that has grown in the last year and a half. He's now a full 6'10" tall but has handles and passing skills that are a step above what you would normally see from a high school big. He sees the court very well and will pass the ball in situations that many bigs would force shots. 

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At the NY2LA Lone Star Invitational tourney in Dallas, had a chance to catch up with Seth Trimble. Seth is a 6'3" PG for the Phenom U 17U team. Currently, he is ranked at #109 by Rivals and #101 by 247 for the 2022 class.  

Seth is an extremely quick but physical PG. A quicker Jalen Brunson would be a way to envision his game. He appears to be woefully underrated right now.

At the NY2LA Lone Star Invitational tourney in Dallas, also had a chance to catch up with Seth's teammate Danilo Jovanovich. Danilo is a 6'8" F for the Phenom U 17U team. Currently, he is ranked as a 3-star recruit by both Rivals and 247 for the 2022 class.

With Illinois probably adding their 3rd, and final, assistant coaching position later this week (for the sake of Illini fandom sanity), it should become clear which recruits will be prioritized in the coming weeks.

In my last article I covered the point/lead guard because I believe it’s probably the biggest need moving forward. After that, it looks like center might be the most important. The last few years Illinois has been spoiled by having Kofi Cockburn as the aircraft carrier in the paint who absolutely dominates that position.

The other half of the Illini's class of 2022, Reggie Bass, is not going anywhere.  How do we know?  He said so publicly at a recent AAU event.  And, he is out to prove naysayers wrong. 

"I received a call from Coach Chester Frazier. He offered me a scholarship to play basketball at Illinois. This puts me at nine offers so far," Howard said. ... “I know Coach Frazier. He's a really good coach. I want to build a great relationship with him,” Howard said.