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Illinois Basketball: Andres Feliz named top 10 impact Big Ten transfer

By Rees Woodcock

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 9: Andres Feliz #4 the World Select Team drives to the basket against the USA Junior Select Team during the game on April 9, 2016 at the MODA Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 9: Andres Feliz #4 the World Select Team drives to the basket against the USA Junior Select Team during the game on April 9, 2016 at the MODA Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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There were many transfers this past season, but the Illinois basketball team might have snagged one of the best.

Jon Rothstein tweeted out 10 impact Big Ten transfers on Twitter today and included Andres Feliz. He is the 6-foot-2, 180-pound point guard who is coming in this season from Northwest Florida State of the junior college ranks. He was the No. 10 JUCO player in the class of 2018 and the No. 1 point guard in the nation.

I am in complete agreement with Rothstein that Feliz is going to be one of the biggest impact transfers in the Big Ten this upcoming season. The fact Illinois is bringing in an experienced player like Feliz to be the backup to Trent Frazier is great for the program. I don’t think some people realize how good this kid is going to be for the Illini.

Last season, Feliz averaged 20 points, 6.1 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game for the Raiders. He did this on 61.1-percent shooting from the field and 41.8-percent shooting from three-point land. He was also 77.2-percent from the free throw line.

When I see Feliz, I see a player who could start for most teams in the country. He is extremely talented and reminds me of a more athletic pre-injury Tracy Abrams. Don’t you all remember that? Abrams averaged 10.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game before getting injured the next two seasons. He was a really good player, and I think Feliz could be something similar to what Abrams was during his sophomore and junior campaigns.

There aren’t a lot of people talking about the addition of Feliz, though. This kid is going to be a huge piece to this team. He will be able to give Frazier a rest when he needs one. During this time, the team will still be able to function and put up points. That is called depth. I know, we haven’t had that in a while.

Next: Next 3 Illini players to get picked in the NBA Draft

Illinois snagged one of the best transfers in the nation when Feliz picked the Orange and Blue. He will help the team this season tremendously and, potentially, could help get us back to the NCAA tournament.

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