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Illinois Basketball: Illini one step closer to landing Jason Jitoboh

By Rees Woodcock

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: Big Ten logo on the floor before the Big Ten Men's Basketball Final against the Wisconsin Badgers and Michigan Wolverines at the Verizon Center on March 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Wolverines won 71-56. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: Big Ten logo on the floor before the Big Ten Men's Basketball Final against the Wisconsin Badgers and Michigan Wolverines at the Verizon Center on March 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Wolverines won 71-56. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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The Illinois basketball team now has an official visit set up for a solid player coming out of the class of 2019.

Jason Jitoboh’s official visit schedule was released yesterday and it looks like he will be visiting Tennessee on September 14, Florida October 5, Illinois October 11 and Louisville November 8. All of these dates were first reported by Jake Weingarten of Stock Risers.

Jitoboh is a 6-foot-11, 270-pound center from Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is rated as a three-star recruit who is the No. 190 player in the class of 2019 and the No. 34 center in the nation.

The competition for Jitoboh is actually pretty tough. The visit to the Volunteers almost a month before any other program makes me nervous. Despite 247Sports having Louisville in the lead, I would assume Tennessee has control right now. The trend with recruits seems to be committing after the first visit lately as well.

It is hard to argue with Illinois being the best landing spot for Jitoboh, though. They have a massive need at the No. 5 spot with a few unproven freshmen in there right now and one big man who will be departing after this season. That leaves the No. 5 spot wide open, and I think Jitoboh could come in and compete for the starting job day one.

Jitoboh had a solid summer of AAU basketball as well. He played in seven games for Woodz Elite of the Nike EYBL. He finished the season averaging 10.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. Just watching him play, he is a true big man. I like his ability to rebound, although he can be a little immobile at times. He has okay touch around the hoop as well.

The biggest plus I see with Jitoboh is being a rim protector. Illinois really hasn’t had this since Nnanna Egwu was suiting up in the Orange and Blue. It is time to get defense back into the game for the Illini.

Next. Top 6 Illini targets for the class of 2019. dark

I am keeping my hopes in check when it comes to the Jitoboh recruitment. He would be a good pickup for Illinois, though. Let’s see Brad Underwood and Company close this one out and solidify the No. 5 spot.

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