Illinois Basketball: Carlton Bragg would be low risk, high reward for Illini

Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Carlton Bragg Jr. (15) reacts during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Carlton Bragg Jr. (15) reacts during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

This weekend was an interesting roller coaster of emotions for Illinois basketball fans.

The way Saturday started was a little sad for the fanbase. Javon Pickett decided to decommit from the program and reopen his recruitment. He also added that Illinois isn’t out of the discussion, but as a fan, it is a situation of expecting the worst and hope for the best.

Later that day, Illinois fans received the news that they could be getting a five-star recruit. No, it isn’t Jeremiah Tilmon recommitting, again, but Derek Piper of Scout broke the news that Illinois coaches Orlando Antigua and Jamall Walker have spoken to newly enlisted transfer, Carlton Bragg.

This is huge news for Illinois because they need size. While Bragg wouldn’t be available this season due to NCAA transfer rules, he would be ready to play in 2018 and that would be a big boost to this team.

Coming out of Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School in Cleveland, Ohio, Bragg was listed as a five-star recruit by some recruiting sites. He ended up narrowing his college decision down to Illinois, Kentucky and Kansas and ended up selecting the Jayhawks.

Bragg didn’t see a ton of time with Kansas, though. He played 8.9 minutes per game in his freshman season and only averaged 3.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. His sophomore season was a little better averaging 13.8 minutes, 5.2 points and 4.1 rebounds.

You also can’t go without noting the trouble that Bragg has been in during his time at Kansas. He was suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules back on January 27, 2017. It was then revealed that he faced a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia on January 30, 2017.

Okay, now that everything is out on the table, would it be wise for the new coaching regime at Illinois to start their tenure off with getting this kid to come to Champaign?

I honestly believe that it is worth the risk of bringing in Bragg. Please let me explain.

Bragg had a rough go of it at Kansas and it was completely his fault. He put himself in all the situations he had going on there, and there is no one to blame but himself. But, the NCAA transfer rules is what helps me with this particular case.

Since Bragg would have to sit out a year before playing for the Illini, they can get a feel if he is going to make it or not. He is getting another chance and if he can stay clean and be an upstanding member of society then I would love to have him on the team.

The risk is relatively low compared to the reward for the Illinois basketball program. If he can’t make it a year with riding the pine then they just part ways with Bragg. If he can make it a year and still has two years of eligibility remaining, then Illinois just received a five-star player for the class of 2018.

Next: Starting lineup without Jeremiah Tilmon and Javon Pickett

I am all for getting Bragg in the transfer market. This would show that Brad Underwood and the coaching staff are not playing games. They want to win, and they want to win now.