Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: Illini get huge in-home visit from Cameron Johnson

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Cameron Johnson (23) shoots over Virginia Cavaliers guard Devon Hall (0) during the first half during the ACC Conference Tournament at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Cameron Johnson (23) shoots over Virginia Cavaliers guard Devon Hall (0) during the first half during the ACC Conference Tournament at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The recruiting field has been pretty traumatic to Illinois basketball fans lately.

But, it now looks like there is some positive news regarding potentially a new player coming into the program.

According to Derek Piper of Scout, Illinois is getting an in-home visit to attempt to get Pittsburgh transfer Cameron Johnson to come to Champaign.

Piper goes on to mention that the in-home visit will take place this Friday and it will include not only head coach Brad Underwood but also new assistant coach Orlando Antigua and Jamall Walker.

Illinois is really pulling out the big guns for Johnson. They need some positive momentum in the recruiting game and scooping up a player like him will benefit the team greatly.

There are many benefits to getting a player like Johnson. Let’s start with his size. He is a 6-foot-8, 210-pound guard-forward. Illinois needs more size and that is what he would bring to the table.

Availability is another big benefit to going after Johnson for next season. He would come in as a graduate transfer and would be able to play immediately. He would also still have two years of eligibility remaining as well.

Now let’s take a look at Johnson’s play on the court. He averaged 33.3 minutes per game last season and in that time averaged 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He was also efficient shooting 44.7-percent from the field.

Johnson is an extremely athletic and long player who can stretch the floor. He clearly can do anything and everything on the court and that is what Illinois needs.

If Johnson would decide to come to Champaign, he would be the second tallest player on the team next to 6-foot-10 Michael Finke. I would also assume he would have a chance to start at the No. 3 spot as well.

Underwood could use Johnson in multiple ways. He has the size to play the No. 4 spot, but if he wanted to go big he could play him at the No. 3 spot alongside Leron Black at the No. 4.

Next: Starting lineup without Jeremiah Tilmon and Javon Pickett

It is exciting as an Illinois fan to see them making a move for such a talented transfer. If they can pull in Johnson, then I think the upcoming season will be very bright.

Home/Illinois Basketball