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Illinois Basketball: Illini building depth with Greg Eboigbodin commitment

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 16, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; NCAA basketballs sit in a rack during practice the day before the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; NCAA basketballs sit in a rack during practice the day before the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Many fans are worried about the depth of the Illinois basketball team for 2017.

This is an understandable worry because Illinois needs another guard, a forward or two and they also need a big man to help in the paint. They can now check off one of these needs.

Yesterday, big man Greg Eboigbodin announced he has committed to the University of Illinois and will be a part of Brad Underwood’s team heading into the upcoming season. This was a nice pickup for the Illini and a player who could really help this team.

Eboigbodin is a 6-foot-9, 220-pound power forward out of the University of Detroit Jesuit High School in Detroit, Michigan. He is a three-star recruit who is the No. 440 player in the class of 2017 and the No. 8 player in the state of Michigan.

Getting a player like Eboigbodin will help tremendously with depth. Illinois needed more options in the paint and that is what he will provide.

The three ways Illinois can proceed with the center position is through Leron Black, Michael Finke or Eboigbodin. Being so young and inexperienced, Eboigbodin will likely still come off the bench despite his nice size. But, he can also play the No. 4 spot as well, which helps Underwood.

Still expect Black to be the starting center on this team entering next season. He has a great wingspan and energy on the floor. Eboigbodin and Finke will be the primary backups to Black and they will also probably shift the lineup around during games as well. Don’t be surprised to see Black at the No. 4 and Eboigbodin or Finke at the No. 5 at times as well.

Eboigbodin also had some pretty solid stats in his last year in the Nike EYBL. He averaged 4.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in the 16 games he played. Those are some solid stats and if he can bring that to the Big Ten, then Illinois got a steal of a player.

Next: 3 roster goals for Brad Underwood

There will be a development curve for Eboigbodin. He has a lot to learn, but with Underwood and the coaching staff behind him, the sky is the limit and he will shine in the Orange and Blue.

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