The Illinois basketball team continues to work hard on the recruiting front.
Illinois is trying to land another big man for the future, and they are also turning up the heat on the class of 2018 as well. This is a big class for Brad Underwood and the Illini coaching staff.
The Illini received some great news last night from a 2018 recruit as well. Jordan Lathon announced that he has cut his list to just five programs and Illinois was a part of it. According to MADE Hoops, the five programs on the list include Butler, Wake Forest, Iowa State, Northwestern and Illinois.
This is a good development for the Illini. They could always use another guard or two for the future and getting a player like Lathon would add depth. He is currently rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 170 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 5 player in the state of Missouri.
Illinois currently has a nice stable of guards on the roster right now. Judging by his size, Lathon would likely come into the program as a combo-guard, so he could fit in anywhere. He also wouldn’t be pressured to play right away either.
The Illini will have Te’Jon Lucas leading the way as a junior in 2018. He will likely be the starting point guard. The No. 2 guard will be sophomore Mark Smith. He is coming in from the class of 2017 this season. Illinois will also have sophomore Trent Frazier as well. Depending on how Underwood wants to play, don’t be surprised if he ends up at the No. 3 spot for the Illini.
These three guards are going to be the front wall for the Illini. Behind them, Illinois will have Aaron Jordan who will be a senior and Da’Monte Williams who might be a sophomore or could be a redshirt freshman. That is it for depth, though, and that is why getting Lathon might not be a bad idea.
Lathon doesn’t have to play right away. There is enough depth on the Illini roster to redshirt him in his first year so he can learn the game without the pressure of having to see minutes every night. Jordan would then graduate and Lathon could step up and be a primary backup.
Illinois fans also have to think of what other guard talent could be coming in for 2018 as well. Don’t forget about Ayo Dosunmu and his top 20 talent.
Next: 4 key point guard recruits for the future
Getting Lathon isn’t a bad idea. He would help provide depth to the roster and having that is a good thing. Depth has been missing the last five years and finally, Illinois fans have a coach who realizes how important it is to a program.