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Illinois Basketball: Ayo Dosunmu would rewrite Chicago recruiting history

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 7: Illinois Fighting Illini fans cheer against the Indiana Hoosiers during the game at Assembly Hall on February 7, 2013 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated No. 1 ranked Indiana 74-72. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 7: Illinois Fighting Illini fans cheer against the Indiana Hoosiers during the game at Assembly Hall on February 7, 2013 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated No. 1 ranked Indiana 74-72. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 7: Illinois Fighting Illini fans cheer against the Indiana Hoosiers during the game at Assembly Hall on February 7, 2013 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated No. 1 ranked Indiana 74-72. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

The Illinois basketball team hasn’t been terribly successful in the Chicago area for the last few decades. That perception could all change tonight, though.

Five-star guard Ayo Dosunmu is set to announce his college decision at 7:00 PM CT. He will be choosing between Illinois and Wake Forest. Both team’s fan bases think he is bound for their respective program but no one really knows until he makes that decision tonight.

Dosunmu isn’t just a regular player either. He is a top 20 recruit from the class of 2018 and someone who would either kick-start a recruiting class for the Illini or top one off for the Demon Deacons. But, undoubtedly, Dosunmu would mean the world to Illinois fans and their program in more than one way.

Illinois’ Chicago recruiting has really dropped off the last 20 years. They have had some solid players come out of there but most of the top prospects have been heading elsewhere. This nasty trend started a while ago and then really heated up throughout the Bruce Weber and John Groce eras.

But, things could all change tonight. Dosunmu would not only mean Illinois is getting a five-star recruit to help their program in the future. He would also mean the Illini are taking back Chicago.

Here are the players the Illini have pulled from the Chicago area as of late.

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