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Illinois Basketball: 4 Illini recruiting targets doing well in AAU league

By Rees Woodcock

Oct 25, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood address the media during the Big 12 Basketball Media Day at the Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood address the media during the Big 12 Basketball Media Day at the Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Fans hold signs from the stands in the first half between the Michigan Wolverines and the Illinois Fighting Illini during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Francis Okoro

There is no doubt that Illinois needs to find a center for the team in the next couple years. That should be a priority for the Underwood and his coaching staff.

While that goal does need to be accomplished in the next few years, they can still focus on getting a big man for the future as well. Francis Okoro is one of the players they have targeted to help in the paint.

Okoro is a four-star recruit from Normal Community West High School in Normal, Illinois. He is listed as the No. 29 player in the class of 2019 and the No. 6 center in the nation.

Getting Okoro would be huge for the Illini. He is an extremely athletic and talented center that will eventually have a ton of scholarship offers. Right now, it looks like Illinois is his only offer, but it is still extremely early in the process.

Okoro plays for the Bradley Beal Elite AAU team, formerly known as the St. Louis Eagles. In the first game, he played pretty well dropping 8 points and also pulling down 8 rebounds. This was some nice production in a victory.

In the second game, Bradley Beal Elite fell to the Mokan Elite 59-55 and a lot of the team struggled, including Okoro. He finished with 2 points and 2 rebounds. Remember, this kid is also playing up in age. He should actually be on the 16U team, but he is good enough to play in a higher league.

I want Okoro in 2019. He is going to be a special player and Illinois will need help in the paint. He is also in the backyard of the Illini, so it should be a smooth recruitment.

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