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Illinois Basketball: Illini land 2019 big man Antwan January

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 08: Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleaders look on as a player shoots a free throw during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 8, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 08: Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleaders look on as a player shoots a free throw during the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 8, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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I think boom would be a good word to use to describe the commitment the Illinois basketball team just picked up.

Antwan January just announced on Twitter that he has ended his recruitment and picked the Illini over teams like New Mexico and Washington State. This is a big pickup for the Illini as they continue to try to build their class of 2019 into a powerhouse.

January is a 6-foot-10, 240-pound center from Santa Monica High School in Santa Monica, California. He is rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 87 player in the class of 2019 and the No. 20 center in the nation. He is also the No. 10 player in the state of California.

This is a massive pickup for the Illini and an impressive get for head coach Brad Underwood and the coaching staff. Illinois had just offered January back on October 28. Before then, he had been on official visits to Washington State on October 20 and New Mexico on September 24. Illinois could possibly sign him during the early signing period that starts on Wednesday, November 14 as well.

January makes for the first player to sign up for the Illini in 2019. They haven’t been able to snag some of their previous targets but there is still a lot of fish out there to catch. But, the comfort in landing a big man is amazing right now.

I feel like the Illinois basketball roster at the No. 5 spot has been patchwork over the last few years. Giorgi Bezhanishvili seems to be looking like he might be a solid option at this position. He will be a sophomore next season. Samba Kane’s development is still up in the air and Adonis De La Rosa will be departing after this season because he is just a graduate transfer. So, as of right now, Illinois doesn’t have much in the way of certainty entering 2019.

Next. 3 questions for the Illini against Georgetown. dark

Getting a player like January is massive for the program moving forward. Illinois is solid at guard and they have great wing players. They just needed a big man to bring everything together. We finally have solid depth at the No. 5 spot with the addition of January.

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