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Illinois Basketball: Illini recruiting targets take over AAU circuits

By Rees Woodcock

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 05: Basketballs are shown in a ball rack before a semifinal game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament between the San Francisco Dons and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Orleans Arena on March 5, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 88-60. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 05: Basketballs are shown in a ball rack before a semifinal game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament between the San Francisco Dons and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Orleans Arena on March 5, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 88-60. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Illinois basketball team had a handful of class of 2019 targets lace up the sneakers and play in session one of the EYBL AAU circuit and other tournaments this past weekend.

Here is how some of the Illini targets fared.

EJ Liddell

EJ Liddell played in four games for Brad Beal Elite and helped lead them to a 3-1 record over the weekend. He finished the session averaging 12.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. His shooting was on-point going 14-of-30 from the field.

My takeaway from Liddell’s weekend is that he is all he is cracked up to be. This kid is special. Illinois has made him a priority already and continues to work on him. Brad Underwood also made the trip down to Dallas to watch Liddell play as well.

Francis Okoro

Illinois was also down watching Francis Okoro as well. He is a teammate of Liddell’s and was one of the best players on Brad Beal Elite. He finished the session averaging 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. This was second and first on the team, respectively.

Okoro would solve all the Illinois big man problems they have been having for the last six years. His weekend proves why he is such a high priority as well. This kid has the ability to score around the bucket, and he is a dominant rebounder. Illinois must land him for 2019.

Lester Quinones

It looks like Illinois sent some assistants to watch Lester Quinones play for New Heights AAU team at the Under Armour Association tournament. He finished the four-game stretch 3-1 and ended up dropping 11.75 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

Quinones is a top 70 player in the class of 2019 and someone to keep an eye on. It is interesting that Illinois feels the need to send some resources to watch this kid. That means they have some traction with him. This would be a great get for the No. 3 spot in the future.

Next: Ranking the last 10 Illini recruiting classes

Kahlil Whitney

One of the biggest targets for the Illini in the class of 2019 is Kahlil Whitney. He suited up for the Mac Irvin Fire and they played in the EYBL as well. The team didn’t do great going 1-2, but Whitney had a sensational showing. He played in two games and averaged 25 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

I have said this once and I will say it again. If I had to choose who to snag with the lone scholarship offer for 2019, I would select Whitney. This kid is a superstar. He is an NBA type of player. He dropped that 25 point average while shooting 65.5-percent from the field and 57.1-percent from three-point land. I want this kid on the Illini and I want it now.

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