Evaluating Illinois basketball class of 2018 through 6/10

Nov 18, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A general view of the NBA basketball going trough the hoop prior to the game between the Indiana Pacers and the Phoenix Suns at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A general view of the NBA basketball going trough the hoop prior to the game between the Indiana Pacers and the Phoenix Suns at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Brad Underwood has done a good job since becoming the Illinois basketball head coach less than three months ago.

Underwood has secured a solid class of 2017 after losing two big-time commitments thanks to a coaching change. But, the team rebounded with signing an Illinois Mr. Basketball, two other great guards and an underrated big man. Underwood also managed to snag one of the top graduate transfers as well.

The class of 2018 is going to be Underwood’s first real class, though. This is a class that has some game changing players in it right now. Illinois hasn’t secured a single player for 2018 yet, but that should change with time.

Ayo Dosunmu is the top recruit that is on the radar for the Illini. He is a 6-foot-3, 170-pound point guard out of Morgan Park High School in Chicago, Illinois. He is rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 29 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 8 point guard in the nation.

Dosunmu is the game changing player that was mentioned earlier. This kid possesses a skill set that is rare in basketball. He is a superior scorer and has handles and distributing abilities of a seasoned NBA veteran. Getting him should be a top priority for the Illinois basketball coaching staff.

Tim Finke is another top priority for the Illini. He is from Champaign Central High School in Champaign, Illinois. He is rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 83 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 23 small forward in the nation. Illinois needs to hold on to top 100 players from their own backyard. Losing Finke would hurt in the recruiting game.

Illinois would only have two scholarships after signing Dosunmu and Finke. Those other two scholarships are up in the air but Morris Udeze and Talen Horton-Tucker could be two possibilities to fill those spots.

Udeze is a solid big man who is a little raw right now but could develop into a really solid player. He is a 6-foot-8, 215-pound center from Travis High School in Richmond, Texas. He is rated as a three-star recruit who isn’t ranked nationally but is the No. 14 center in the nation.

Horton-Tucker is a player who has come onto the scene over the last few months. He had a really good AAU season and that has helped boost his status. He will also have a chance to show what he is made of this winter during his final season in high school as well.

Getting Horton-Tucker would be big for the Illini. He is a 6-foot-4, 200-pound small forward out of Simeon High School in Chicago, Illinois. He is rated as a three-star recruit who isn’t ranked nationally but is the No. 36 small forward in the nation.

Next: Illini roster with Greg Eboigbodin

Much like the football team, the Illinois basketball team hasn’t built a class of 2018 just yet. There is still plenty of time and plenty of talented players available. These four mentioned above all have a chance at landing in Champaign. The future can still be extremely bright despite having no one signed up for 2018.