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Illinois Basketball: Illini target EJ Liddell is about to move up the rankings

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 22: Members of the Illinois Fighting Illini and Augustana-Illinois Vikings are seen wearing Nike shoes during the game at State Farm Center on November 22, 2017 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 22: Members of the Illinois Fighting Illini and Augustana-Illinois Vikings are seen wearing Nike shoes during the game at State Farm Center on November 22, 2017 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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The wing situation for the Illinois basketball team in 2019 is a little murky right now.

When the class of 2019 comes around, Illinois really won’t have a wing player if the roster stays the same. That is a possibility considering only Ayo Dosunmu is signed up for 2018. There are a few other players Brad Underwood is targeting for next season, though, so hopefully, Dosunmu will have a running mate.

Even if someone else signs up for the class of 2018, the class of 2019 is still going to be extremely important. There are a lot of talented players coming out of this class, specifically in the state of Illinois.

One wing player from the class of 2019 that Illinois has been eyeing for quite some time is EJ Liddell. This kid is extremely talented and can either play the No. 3 or, more likely, the No. 4 for the Illini. The only thing I worry about with him is his size. He is listed at 6-foot-6, 220-pounds according to Rivals.

Right now, Liddell is rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 94 player in the class of 2019 and probably a top three player in the state of Illinois. Those numbers are about to change, though.

According to Eric Bossi of Rivals, when the rankings are updated next, Liddell will make one of the biggest jumps in the class of 2019. He also mentions that he thinks Liddell can play anywhere in the country.

I couldn’t agree more with Bossi’s assessment of Liddell. This kid isn’t just strong in one area and that is why teams are after him. He possesses skills in multiple areas. Liddell can jump out of the gym. He is greatly athletic for his size and that comes in handy when he drives to the basket.

When Liddell isn’t driving to the rim, he can step back and shoot from just about any spot on the court including from three-point range. He also brings a lot of fire and passion to the game. When I think of a comp for Liddell, I immediately go to Malcolm Hill when he was a senior.

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What is going to end up happening is Liddell will continue to blow up and the blue bloods will come sniffing around. Illinois is going to have to fight hard for him. He already has a lot of offers, but I am just glad the Illini got in early on his recruitment.

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