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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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GLENDALE, AZ – APRIL 03: The ball goes through the hoop during warm ups before the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

120. Colin Castleton

Colin Castleton has been a high riser in the other recruiting rankings but Rivals didn’t think he needed to be elevated that much. He is a top 70 player in the Scout rankings. But, anyone would be lucky to snag this kid. He is a 6-foot-11, 220-pound recruit from Father Lopez High School in Daytona Beach, Florida. He is rated as a four-star forward who is the No. 120 player in the class of 2018.

Over the past six months, Castleton’s stock has started to skyrocket. He was a relatively unknown player in 2016 but this year has been great for his future. He had so many scholarship offers but decided to cut his list down on August 21 to just eight teams. His top 8 included Notre Dame, Florida State, Michigan, Baylor, Ohio State, Florida, Purdue and Illinois.

Just a few days after Castleton cut his list, Florida decided to offer him a scholarship. This is supposedly the dream program for him. But, there are technically seven other teams still alive and the Illini are one of them.

There is no question how much Illinois needs Castleton for the future. They need someone in the paint and he can do just about anything on the basketball court. Overall, though, I don’t see him coming to Illinois. He will likely stay down in Florida and become a Gator.

Next: Projected Illini roster for 2020 season

Update: September 8

I didn’t have a good feeling about Colin Castleton originally but hopefully, his visit with Landers Nolley to Champaign this past weekend convinced him to come play for Illinois.

The visit consisted of those two, and some of the Illinois basketball players like Trent Frazier, Mark Smith and Greg Eboigbodin also hung out with them as well. Getting a player like Castleton is important for the Illini. I still think Florida is probably the front-running but the Illini pitch had to be strong.

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