Illinois Basketball: Ranking the Illini Recruiting Classes for the Last Decade

Out of all the recruiting classes on this list, I can make an argument that the class of 2011 had the most potential.

This class had six players commit and four of them were 4-star recruits.

The class of 2011 was the final big one for Bruce Weber but it didn’t pan out the way he wanted it to.

Myke Henry was the highest-rated player in this class and he was a 4-star recruit who was ranked as the No. 64 player.

Henry spent two seasons with the Illini and then the coaching changed happened.  He decided to transfer to DePaul and had a solid career there.

Nnanna Egwu was the next highest player.  He was a 4-star recruit who was ranked as the No. 67 player in the class.

Egwu would go on to be a block machine and set records for the Illini.  He is now trying to stick in the NBA.

Tracy Abrams was the next highest player at No. 71.  He would be a main staple on the Illini team but the last two seasons have been brutal.

Abrams missed all of the last two years with injuries but is back this season for his sixth and final run at the NCAA Tournament.

The next player was Mike Shaw.  He was a 4-star recruit who was ranked as the No. 75 player in the class.

Shaw, like Henry, would play two seasons with the Illini before transferring after the coaching change.  He would finish his career up at Bradley.

The other two recruits in this class were 3-star Devin Langford and 2-star Ibby Djimde.  Both of these players were depth guys and didn’t see much action.

If it wasn’t for two of the four transferring and Abrams getting hurt, this class would have been one of the best if not the best in the last ten years.

Next: No. 3 Recruiting Class