Illinois Basketball: Recruiting Comparison to 2002
All Illinois basketball fans want the Illini to be successful and one of the ways to achieve that goal is to have a great class of 2017.
This class has been the talk of the Illinois recruiting scene for about three years now. All fans have kept an eye on what is going to happen with these talented kids.
Looking at what the possibilities are and who the Illini have already snagged, I wanted to compare this class to the class Bill Self brought in in 2002.
The class of 2002 is legendary among the Illini basketball fan. This is the class that produced the greatest team in Illinois history.
Dee Brown led that class with being ranked as the No. 23 recruit in the nation and coming in as a 5-star guard.
Deron Williams followed Dee. He was a 4-star recruit and the No. 56 player in that class.
More from Writing Illini
- Illinois Football: 5 Illini players who need more snaps against FAU
- Illinois football vs. Florida Atlantic first half and game betting lines
- Bret Bielema has made Illinois football a nationally competitive program
- Illinois Football: Predicting how the Illini will finish the 2023 season
- Illinois Football: Illini quarterback controversy is on the horizon
The next player was James Augustine who was also a 4-star recruit and the No. 73 player in the class.
Aaron Spears and Kyle Wilson were also a part of that class and were 4-star and 3-star recruits, respectively.
Spears was actually ranked as the No. 75 recruit in the nation that year as well.
So, the class of 2002 consisted of four top 75 recruits and one player was a top 25 recruit. This was an impressive class that was topped off by a National Championship run.
The class of 2017 has a chance at being just as special.
The rumors are that Jeremiah Tilmon has a great chance at committing to the Illini. It is being reported that he is going to commit to Illinois and he has basically told the coaches.
If the Illini can get a commitment out of Tilmon that would give them a top 25 recruit much like the class of 2002.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Then there are guards Jordan Goodwin and Trent Frazier.
Goodwin is going to be tough to get as he continues to rise. I hear that he still likes the Illini but as he grows so do his offers and interest.
But, if Illinois can pull in Goodwin, that would give the Illini another top 75 recruit.
And then Frazier loves Illinois and he has them as his top school right now. That would give the point guard position a lot more depth and it would also add in another top 75 recruit to the mix for the Illini.
So, if Goodwin and Frazier commit, that would give Illinois three of the four top 75 recruits that match the class of 2002.
Illinois also has a non-ranked 4-star and 3-star coming in next season in Da’Monte Williams and Javon Pickett as well.
I think Williams could be a top 75 recruit, but he missed the rankings.
The class of 2017 has a chance to be one of the best ever and it also has a chance at matching the class of 2002 in quality.
If Illinois can pull in the great class of 2017 that everyone is expecting, then the result may be the same that the class of 2002 had back over a decade ago.