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Illinois Basketball: Ranking the last 10 recruiting classes

By Rees Woodcock

Dec 21, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; The Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleaders run on the court before a basketball game against the Missouri Tigers at Scottrade Center. Illinois won 75-66. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; The Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleaders run on the court before a basketball game against the Missouri Tigers at Scottrade Center. Illinois won 75-66. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Te’Jon Lucas (3) shoots the ball as Michigan Wolverines guard Zak Irvin (21) defends in the first half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 9 Class of 2016

The class of 2016 had a talented player but that was the problem, there was only one of those players. This class lacked depth and Illinois needed depth at the time.

Illinois had failed at snagging a point guard in years prior to 2016 and that killed them on the basketball court. But, in 2016, they landed a talented player named Te’Jon Lucas.

Lucas was a four-star recruit out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was recruited hard but decided to come to Champaign and resurrect a struggling program.

The first year with the program was pretty solid for Lucas. He didn’t play much to begin the year but then was essentially given the starting point guard duties once John Groce finally realized he was the best option.

Lucas managed to average 20.7 minutes, 4.8 points, 3.1 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game in his true freshman campaign. Those are numbers that will continue to build and I expect him to be a special player.

Despite not having depth, the class of 2016 still produced a talented player who will be the building blocks for future Illini success.

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