There is some confusion on what is going on with the Illinois basketball team and the Kahlil Whitney recruitment.
Whitney is a wanted player by just about every team in the country and for a good reason. He is a 6-foot-6, 190-pound small forward from Roselle Catholic High School in Roselle, New Jersey. He is rated as a five-star recruit who is the No. 14 player in the class of 2019 and the No. 4 small forward in the nation. Who wouldn’t want this type of elite level player?
On Tuesday evening, Whitney ended up dropping his top eight teams and included Florida State, Kentucky, Louisville, Georgetown, Miami, Oregon, SMU and Illinois. This is an elite list with team names that are familiar to the recruiting world.
As of right now, Whitney has one official visit set up and that is to Kentucky this weekend. This visit to the Bluegrass State has everyone’s ears perked up listening for a commitment sometime over the next week. I am just speculating, but there is a real possibility a commitment does come considering the Wildcats only offered Whitney back on July 20 and they are the first to get an official visit.
But, with that being said, as of right now there are eight teams still alive in the Whitney recruitment including the Illini. One prominent media member, Adam Zagoria, doesn’t think Illinois is a serious contender, though. He mentions Kentucky, Louisville, Florida State and Miami as the serious contenders for snagging Whitney.
Kentucky, Louisville, FSU and Miami are among the serious contenders here. https://t.co/5HPcuO5v8t
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) August 1, 2018
I would disagree with Zagoria. I think Illinois is right in the mix for Whitney. Do I have sources or have talked to the kid about his decision? No, but there are enough media members out there who have, and Illinois seems to be in the conversation for the kid.
Elite 2019 SF Kahlil Whitney @KahlilWhitney has been most dominant player at Summer Jam! We talk with him about cutting list, Kentucky getting involved, & recent #Illini visit (Free) https://t.co/O0DdtFaXag
— Prep Hoops Illinois (@PrepHoopsIL) July 26, 2018
Five-star wing Kahlil Whitney (@KahlilWhitney) dropped a final 8 tonight. He talks about where the #Illini stand in this story from Orange and Blue News. https://t.co/x41CV1jUWq
— Orange and Blue News (@IllinoisRivals) August 1, 2018
A decision is coming soon enough for Whitney. Hopefully, Illinois will end up winning out. But, even if they don’t, all Illini fans want the kid to succeed and have a great career. With that being said, don’t count the Orange and Blue out just yet.