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Illinois Basketball: Recruiting update on the class of 2018

By Rees Woodcock

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)
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) /
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ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 03: Basketballs are seen stuck in the net before the round nine NBL match between the Adelaide 36ers and the Perth Wildcats at Adelaide Arena on December 3, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 03: Basketballs are seen stuck in the net before the round nine NBL match between the Adelaide 36ers and the Perth Wildcats at Adelaide Arena on December 3, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images) /

112. Aaron Henry

One player I am surprised didn’t jump up higher in the new rankings is Aaron Henry. He is a 6-foot-6, 205-pound recruit from Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is rated by the new Rivals rankings as a four-star recruit who is the No. 112 player in the class of 2018.

Henry is a wanted player by a wide range of programs. He recently cut his list down, though. He decided to trim the number of schools after him to just five programs. His top 5 includes Butler, Ohio State, Michigan State, Xavier and Illinois. This is a great list for a player outside the top 100 in the recruiting rankings, which makes me think he should probably be in the top 100.

As far as on the basketball court is concerned, Henry has all the skills to be a great player at the next level. He is smooth as butter with his movements in and around the lane. He can get a bucket where he wants when he wants it. He has tremendous touch around the rim and from the outside. And, bonus, he is a lefty and, being a lefty myself, I have a soft spot for the southpaw.

When it comes to Henry’s recruitment, that top 5 makes me extremely nervous. Butler just lost their head coach to Ohio State, which would likely hurt their chances at landing him. I am not sure how much playing time he would receive at Michigan State and Xavier considering their recruiting classes the past few seasons.

So, I could see Henry’s recruitment being down to Ohio State and Illinois. While I am nervous about the current list, I have a good feeling about Illinois’ chances here. Henry could fit into that No. 3 spot for the Illini and he and Kipper Nichols could be absolute athletic freaks for this Illini program.

Update: September 8

I really like Aaron Henry and think he could be a great player for Illinois. He still has his top five and Illinois is in it. He is already starting to take his official visits as well.

Henry is going on an official visit this weekend to Michigan State. What I didn’t know is Henry plays for former Michigan State guard Garry Harris’ AAU team. Harris is going to be at Michigan State for Henry’s visit. They are putting on a heavy recruiting pitch. Henry’s coach also apparently thinks his decision will come before the end of September as well.

I had a good feeling about Henry but Michigan State might be the front-runner for this talented wing now.

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