Cameron Ward, a 6-foot-6, 180-pound small forward from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was offered late this summer by Illinois assistant coach Chester Frazier.

The former AAU teammate of committed 4-star Illini recruit Amani Hansberry, Ward said in July, "Amani is one of the best players in the county, he's everything you could ask for in a player. His off-the-court presence is as great as on-court; I think that’s what separates him from others."

Now as a four-star forward himself, he is really looking at Illinois as a possible destination, saying, "I worked really hard to put myself in the position I'm in. I don't take offers for granted, but I feel they're well deserved."

After Team Durant went on a good run at the EYBL, Illinois was not the only team to take notice of Ward. He received offers from Arkansas, Penn State, Oregon, Virginia Tech, Georgetown, and Maryland.

"Those schools are on my mind because they, along with Illinois, are who I hear from, some more than others," Ward said.

So where does Illinois stand with Ward?

"They're in my top four, for certainly. I like the way they play and the family aspect they give their recruits and family. The way they play is very fitting to my game lengthy wing, who’s athletic. I can shoot it and impact the floor in both ways. Then also in the classroom what they offer as far as studies, it's one of the best colleges in the country, I learned," Ward said.

Illinois has kept a close eye on Ward. Recruiting now is much easier when you are successful and head coach Brad Underwood and his assistant coaches can show players what they can do, what they have done, and the future.

Other big-time names in the class of 2025 to keep an eye on are two guys, EJ Walker, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound power forward from Erlanger, Kentucky, and Sadiq White, a 6-foot-8, 190-pound small forward from Charlotte, North Carolina. Both of these outstanding prospects are members of the class of 2025 along with Ward.

Illinois appears to be in great shape with all three of these potential players.

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