Writing Illini
Fansided

Illinois Basketball: Some Illini targets improve in latest Top247

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The new 247Sports Top247 was released on Wednesday and there are some Illinois basketball targets who made some moves.

When I scroll through the list, I see Kahlil Whitney’s name. I tear up a bit and move on. I swear I am over it. The first player Illinois is still strong in the running for is Oscar Tshiebwe. He is the 6-foot-9 center. He is now the No. 19 player in the class of 2019. That is a 53-spot improvement from the last rankings. Illinois is in his top 8 currently.

The next person on the list for the Illini is another big man in Kofi Cockburn. He is a 6-foot-10 center. He didn’t see any movement as he is still ranked as the No. 39 player in the class of 2019. No movement is good movement, though. Illinois is in his top 12.

Big man Drew Timme isn’t too far behind Cockburn. He is a 6-foot-9 center who would be a great addition to the Illini. He actually moved up eight spots to No. 44 in the class of 2019. Illinois was able to get into his top 10 back on August 2.

The first non-center Illinois fans can keep an eye on is Quincy Guerrier. He is a 6-foot-7 forward from Canada. He did drop three spots but still is in the top 50 coming in at No. 48 for the class of 2019. Illinois made his top 10 back on August 7.

That does it for the top 50 for the Illini. They have four huge targets in the top 50, and I think they have a legit shot at landing each of these players. Will it happen? No, but if they can land at least one, I will be happy. There are huge targets who aren’t in the top 50 as well.

EJ Liddell is the next big target for the Illini on the Top247. Liddell is a 6-foot-7 forward and is an in-state product. He now sits at No. 57 in the class of 2019. This is a 25-spot improvement. Illinois made his top 5 back on August 13.

Another big mover for the Illini is Lester Quinones. He is a 6-foot-5 guard who now plays for IMG Academy. He is now the No. 71 player in the class of 2019 after moving up 20 spots. His recruitment has been really quiet but the last time I heard, Illinois was recruiting him hard.

Terrence Shannon also moved up the Top247 list as well. He is a 6-foot-6 wing player who is also moving down to IMG Academy for his final season of high school ball. He will actually be teaming up with Quinones as well. Shannon is now the No. 108 player in the class of 2019 after moving up two spots. He was committed to DePaul after cutting his list to four teams. Now he backed away from that commitment and his recruitment is back open.

And the final big target for the Illini to don this list is Jason Jitoboh. He is a 6-foot-10 big man. He comes in at No. 216 in the class of 2019. This is a 25-spot drop from his previous rankings. Illinois in the top 4 for Jitoboh, and he has already been on one of his official visits.

Next. 5 Illini freshmen who will make the biggest impact in 2018. dark

This is an important list of players for the Illini. They need to land some of these recruits so they can start building the class of 2019. There is a lot of talent out there for this program to snag.

Home/Illinois Basketball Recruiting