Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois basketball projected lineup with class of 2018

By Rees Woodcock

MORGANTOWN, WV - FEBRUARY 04: Brad Underwood of Oklahoma State Cowboys yells at the referee against the West Virginia Mountaineers at the WVU Coliseum on February 4, 2017 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV - FEBRUARY 04: Brad Underwood of Oklahoma State Cowboys yells at the referee against the West Virginia Mountaineers at the WVU Coliseum on February 4, 2017 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 11: Basketballs are shown in a ball rack before a semifinal game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament between the Arizona Wildcats and the Oregon Ducks at MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 11, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Oregon won 95-89 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 11: Basketballs are shown in a ball rack before a semifinal game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament between the Arizona Wildcats and the Oregon Ducks at MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 11, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Oregon won 95-89 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

No. 2 Guard

Starting: Mark Smith

The biggest commitment that Brad Underwood has secured in the short time being with the Illini has been Mark Smith. This kid is a late-blooming superstar who ended up having all the blue bloods after him but decided to stay home. He was a four-star recruit who was the No. 78 player in the class of 2017 and the No. 18 point guard in the nation.

Having Smith come to Champaign is huge for Underwood and the Illinois basketball program. The Illini needed more guard depth and not only did they get that with Smith, but they also got a bona fide superstar who will start at the No. 2 spot for the Illini. He will be one of the Illinois all-time greats when he is finished in Champaign.

Backup: Da’Monte Williams

Another member of the class of 2017 who will help with guard depth is Da’Monte Williams. He is still a top 100 player in my books but injuries his final few seasons in high school dropped him down the rankings. He is now a three-star recruit who is the No. 37 shooting guard in the class of 2017. That ranking is deceiving, though.

Williams still has to get back into game shape as far as playing basketball is concerned. He tore his ACL back last December and will take some time to get up to the speed of the college game. But, once he does, watch out Big Ten. He will be the backup No. 2 guard behind Smith. This freshman combination will be great for the Illini for the next few seasons.

Backup: Aaron Jordan

Behind Williams is going to be veteran, Aaron Jordan. This kid didn’t get a chance to play much last season because of the previous coaching regime. He now has a second chance at a basketball career with the Illini and he won’t blow it.

Jordan will get minutes this upcoming season. He will likely be around 10 minutes for the Illini and those minutes will be crucial. Look for him to make an impact on this program.

Home/Illinois Basketball