Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: 4 options to replace Jeremiah Tilmon

By Rees Woodcock

Jan 4, 2017; Austin, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood reacts and breaks a clipboard against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at the Frank Erwin Center. The Longhorns won 82-79. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Austin, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood reacts and breaks a clipboard against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at the Frank Erwin Center. The Longhorns won 82-79. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Illinois basketball
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 /

Option 2: Mayan Kiir

With Illinois losing such a valuable player like Tilmon, they will need to find someone who is athletic and can play in 2017.

That player just might be Mayan Kiir. He is a former Illini target that committed to VCU a while ago but since has been released from his National Letter of Intent because his head coach went to LSU.

Kiir is a three-star recruit who is from Bradenton, Florida. He is 6-foot-9, 220-pounds, and I think would be a perfect fit in what Underwood is trying to do with the Illinois offense.

Illinois doesn’t need a big lumbering player who can’t run the floor well. That is what we would have been getting with Tilmon. Yes, he is a great player inside, but Illinois wants to run-and-gun and it would have been difficult with Tilmon.

Kiir brings a more athletic build to the table. He is a player who can run while also playing well in the paint. I always liked him before he committed to VCU and now that he is available, Illinois needs him.

The Illini were in his top three before the commitment and I assume they will still be in his select few. I hope he picks Illinois because this program is about to doing something special.

Home/Illinois Basketball Recruiting