Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: Da’Monte Williams firm with his commitment to Illini

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 12, 2015; Lexington, VA, USA; An official game ball rest on the court after the game between the Navy Midshipmen and the Virginia Military Keydets at Cameron Hall. The Midshipmen won 68-62. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2015; Lexington, VA, USA; An official game ball rest on the court after the game between the Navy Midshipmen and the Virginia Military Keydets at Cameron Hall. The Midshipmen won 68-62. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

With the coaching search in full-force for the Illinois basketball team, I can’t help but wonder what will happen with the current class of 2017.

Right now the Illini have the No. 9 ranked class for 2017. This is the highest ranked class that I can remember. I believe it is the best class since 2002 when Illinois had No. 23 Dee Brown, No. 56 Deron Williams, No. 73 James Augustine and No. 75 Aaron Spears all commit.

This was a pretty special class in 2002 but what they didn’t have to deal with before coming into their freshman season was a coaching change. That is what the current class of 2017 is dealing with today.

Illinois currently has No. 18 Jeremiah Tilmon and No. 77 Trent Frazier both committed along with, should be ranked, Da’Monte Williams and Javon Pickett. This is a special class, but like most Illini fans, they aren’t sure who the next head coach will be.

I am nervous about who will ask for their release from the National Letter of Intent if any will. I hope none of them ask for their release because I think this group can be quite special with the next head coach.

Last night Aaron Ferguson of the Peoria Journal Star helped ease people’s worries with Williams’ commitment. He posted on Twitter that Williams is still firm on joining the Illini and there hasn’t been an indication of that changing.

I think Williams is grossly underrated and will be a special talent with Illinois. This kid was a top 100 player at one time before a few injuries hit him last season. I have no doubts he will be an instant help for this basketball program.

There hasn’t been any confirmation on the other three commitments, though. I think they are all in a wait and see pattern right now.

If it does help, with Frazier, he posted a picture of him in an Illini uniform on Instagram the other day and he is retweeting a bunch of Illinois stuff on Twitter. For what it is worth that seems like a good sign.

Tilmon and Pickett have been pretty silent since the firing happened, though. But, no one really knows if any of these players will stay or go. That is up to them if they see Illinois as the best situation then they should stay. If they think somewhere else is better for them then they should go.

Next: Final top 5 coaches to replace John Groce

This is a big decision for these kids that will shape their future careers on and off the court. No matter what their decision is Illini fans should support them. I hope they all stay, but they need to make the best decision for themselves.

Home/Illinois Basketball