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Illinois Basketball: 4 Illini recruiting targets shine once again

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the basketballs on the ball racks before the start of the McDonalds All-American Powerade Jamfest at the Chicago Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the basketballs on the ball racks before the start of the McDonalds All-American Powerade Jamfest at the Chicago Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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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 /

Francis Okoro

The Illinois basketball team needs a big man for the future. I know 2019 seems like a little too far into the future, but Francis Okoro is going to be a center that the Illini need to snag.

Okoro is still young and he aged up in the EYBL this year. He is playing with and against a bunch of kids who are older than him but he is still holding his own.

In three of the four games, Okoro received 14 or more minutes. In those games, he averaged 8.3 points per game with his highest point total being in the last game where he put up 19 on 7-of-11 shooting. He is close to the rim so his shooting rate is through the roof, but what makes happy is his free throw shooting.

Okoro was 5-of-6 from the free throw line in his final game and that is refreshing to see.  A traditional big man able to shoot free throws is something that is rare.

The rebounding for Okoro has always been there as well. He pulled down 14 rebounds to go with his 19 points in that final game of the session. That is a massive double-double and it shows me that he is going to be a monster in the next year or so.

Next: 6 Illini players have shot at an NFL career

Illinois needs to make sure they are putting the full court press on this kid when it comes to recruiting. He is a superstar who the Illini cannot let get away.

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