Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: Champaign the right place for Illini guard Alan Griffin

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 08: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood shouts to players during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 8, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 08: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood shouts to players during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 8, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Illinois basketball team received an underrated commitment on Friday in Alan Griffin.

Griffin isn’t rated by the recruiting sites, but he is a 6-foot-5, 180-pound athletic guard who can light up the scoreboard and pull down rebounds. He is currently averaging 18.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.8 blocks per game during his senior season. These numbers have him in the running for Mr. NY Basketball.

Having a commit who can do a multitude of things on the basketball court is great. I have had people tell me the Illini don’t need another guard, they need a big man who can fill the paint. The answer to that is yes and no. While Illinois needs some more size, they also need another guard. This team is guard-heavy and getting a player like Griffin is important for depth. It is also nice to have a guard who can not only score but can pull down a board as well.

The decision for Griffin came as a surprise for Illinois fans. I didn’t think he was going to commit on Friday, but he decided to pull the trigger. Illinois ended up beating out teams like St. John’s, Rutgers and Dayton for his commitment as well. But, why did Griffin choose the Illini?

“Well, I visited there in the summer and it was great. I loved the campus and it already felt like home to me and just to go back home and just be two hours away from where I lived is great. The coaching staff is a great group of guys and I feel like it’s the right place for me and it’ll really benefit me,” said Griffin.

When Griffin says he is only two hours away from where he used to live, he means Chicago. He played a little high school ball there when his dad was a coach with the Chicago Bulls. He played for Oak Park-River Forest. So, that is a nice connection to the area and some familiarity with the state that helped Griffin make the decision of coming back to where he started high school.

Griffin now has more ties to the Chicago area as well. He joins that Illinois class of 2018 that includes five-star guard Ayo Dosunmu. This pair will do wonders with the Illini for at least one year and maybe even two. The Illinois backcourt has a chance to be one of the best in the nation next season, and I am excited about the possibilities. I also asked Griffin about his thoughts on playing with Dosunmu and if he had talked to him throughout his recruitment.

“He’s a great player, has a great feel for the game and is smart, and I knew him since I was young playing AAU versus Mac Irvin Fire,” said Griffin, “I’ve hit him up and he hit me up once.”

Next: Illini offer big man Frankie Policelli

The class of 2018 is going to help build the Illinois basketball team back into a contender in the Big Ten and a perennial NCAA tournament team. The Illini have two special players coming this upcoming season and now all they need is a solid big to finish it off. Special things are happening in Champaign and people better recognize.

Home/Illinois Basketball