Illinois Basketball: Illini make top 4 for Oscar Tshiebwe

The Illinois basketball team continued making progress at landing a top recruit for the class of 2019.

Heading into Sunday, big man Oscar Tshiebwe had his list down to eight teams which included Virginia, Kentucky, West Virginia, Baylor, Ole Miss, Georgetown, Kansas and Illinois. This list has now been cut down to just four programs. He ended up keeping Kentucky, Baylor, West Virginia and, yes, Illinois.

Tshiebwe is a 6-foot-9, 230-pound center from Kennedy Catholic High School in Hermitage, Pennsylvania. He is rated as a five-star recruit who is the No 19 player in the class of 2019 and the No. 5 center in the nation.

The recruitment of Tshiebwe has moved quickly over the last few weeks. He seems to want to make a decision soon, so now only four teams are competing for his commitment. He also has all four official visits set up as well.

Tshiebwe’s first official visit is going to be Baylor on August 31. The following visit is to Illinois on September 7. He then takes a visit to Kentucky on September 28 and, finally, he takes a trip to West Virginia on October 5.

I have a few opinions on Illinois making the top four for Tshiebwe. The first through is how big this would be for the Illini. He is a five-star recruit who is a top 20 prospect. Illinois doesn’t land these types of players often. Snagging him would be huge for the team and the future of the Illini.

The other thought on the subject; is West Virginia being saved for last because that is Tshiebwe’s choice? It looks like the Mountaineers are the favorite to land the big man. I am just hoping he isn’t saving the best for last.

Illinois needs Tshiebwe to sign up for 2019. He would fit in perfectly with the rest of the team. He could literally be the missing piece that we have needed for a few years now. The Illini would be a Sweet 16 contender immediately.