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Illinois Basketball: Projected Illini roster for 2020 season

By Rees Woodcock

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 09: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Oklahoma State Cowboys reacts from the bench during the quarterfinal game of the Big 12 Basketball Tournament against the Iowa State Cyclones at the Sprint Center on March 9, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 09: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Oklahoma State Cowboys reacts from the bench during the quarterfinal game of the Big 12 Basketball Tournament against the Iowa State Cyclones at the Sprint Center on March 9, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 03: A general view of the Assembly Hall as the Illinois Fighting Illini take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs on December 3, 2011 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated Gonzaga 82-75. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

No. 2 Guard

Starter: Da’Monte Williams

Many people underestimated Da’Monte Williams’ skills coming out of the class of 2017. At one time he was a top 50 player in the nation but a few injuries derailed his high school and AAU career. He committed to Illinois but fell outside the top 100 and many aren’t expecting much out of this kid.

Williams starts his career as a backup but by his senior season, he is starting for the Illini. He has really improved his shooting and becomes a great Illini player who is averaging over 10 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds per game. His abilities really help propel the program deep into the NCAA tournament.

Backup: Nimari Burnett

Illinois recruited Nimari Burnett for a long time. They were after him during the previous coaching regime and now Underwood and his staff need more guard depth. Recruiting him has become more difficult, though, because he transferred to California from Morgan Park High School in Chicago. He doesn’t forget his roots and decides to come back to Illinois to play basketball in 2020.

Burnett is going to be a need for the Illini. They will need a solid backup for a year who can play 15 or more minutes per game. Once Burnett’s freshman season is complete, he will then take the starting No. 2 guard spot from Williams. He will be a great player for the Illini and a scoring threat the entire Big Ten will fear.

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