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Illinois Basketball: Top 5 recruiting priorities for Illini

By Rees Woodcock

Feb 4, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood celebrates with fans after beating the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood celebrates with fans after beating the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2017; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Cameron Johnson (23) shoots the ball as Virginia Cavaliers guard Darius Thompson (51) defends in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Cameron Johnson (23) shoots the ball as Virginia Cavaliers guard Darius Thompson (51) defends in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4 Cam Johnson

Coming out of high school in 2014, Cam Johnson was only ranked as a three-star recruit who was the No. 249 player in the nation and the No. 8 player in the state of Pennsylvania.

Since then, Johnson has transformed into someone who averaged 33.3 minutes per game and in that time dropped 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in each game as well. He also is extremely efficient shooting 44.7-percent from the field and 41.5-percent from the three-point arc.

Johnson ended up committing to Pittsburgh out of high school because they were one of the few teams really looking at him. It turns out that he was a diamond in the rough and that is what I think Bruninga might be as well.

After three years, one being a redshirt season, Johnson has decided to transfer out of the Pittsburgh program. He graduated early, which makes him eligible to play immediately and that is a bonus to whoever gets him. He will also have two years left as well.

Johnson is listed as a guard but his 6-foot-8 height says otherwise. I am thinking if Illinois can snag him, he would be a perfect rotation player in the No. 3 and No. 4 spots on the team. He could spell minutes for both Kipper Nichols and Leron Black when they need rest.

Illinois needs more depth on the floor that won’t take away from the starter’s production and that is what Johnson would provide. I would be in favor of snagging this kid to really help the Illini get over the bubble.

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