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Illinois Basketball: Top 5 recruits who will change the Illini program

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 30: The Lou Henson signature is seen on the court before the start of the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 30, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 30: The Lou Henson signature is seen on the court before the start of the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on January 30, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 13: A Fighting Illini fan celebrates during the basketball game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 13, 2016, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

5. DJ Steward

While Adam Miller is listed as a point guard, he is more of a No. 2 who shoots the ball. The player Illinois needs to snag to run the offense in the true point guard role is DJ Steward. He is a great in-state player who could help this program.

Steward is a 6-foot-1, 150-pound point guard from Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois. He is rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 40 player in the class of 2020 and the No. 7 point guard in the nation. The recruitment of Steward hasn’t heated up yet, but Illinois got in early on him so they should be sitting well.

I have Steward as a player who could help change the direction of the Illinois basketball program because he is in a true point guard role, and the Illini will need that come 2020.

Who knows what Illinois will have at the No. 1 spot come 2020. Trent Frazier is heading into his sophomore season and would be a senior when Steward would come into the program. But, Frazier had a tremendous freshman campaign which makes me think he isn’t going to make it all four years. So, let’s say he plays three years for the Illini and then goes to the NBA.

This scenario leaves Illinois without a No. 1 for 2020. In steps Steward as a true freshman. This gives him playing time and the ability to shine in the Big Ten. He would become an instant starter and someone who the coaching staff looks to for leadership on the team.

Next: Roles of the five returning Illini players

I see Steward as a must-get for the future of the program. Illinois needs leadership at the No. 1 guard role and I think he would provide that. For the future of the program, they need to land Steward.

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