Despite the Illinois basketball program not having the record many fans had hoped, one player is starting to get some serious attention for all the right reasons.
Ayo Dosunmu is a true freshman guard for the Illini. This kid was a 6-foot-4, 172-pound guard coming from Morgan Park High School in Chicago, Illinois. He was rated as a five-star recruit who was the No. 32 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 3 combo guard in the nation. He was also the best player in the state of Illinois that year as well.
Many people thought Ayo was going to be special, but it is so hard to tell at the high school level. Players can look great in high school and not transition into the college game. Thankfully, Ayo picked the Illini and we are now all witnessing him develop his game with the Orange and Blue.
Ayo didn’t start his true freshman campaign very well, though. He had a few good games in there, like 25 points against Georgetown and 19 points against Xavier, but there was always something a little off how he was playing the game.
Over the last five games, Ayo has transitioned from a freshman just trying to get the speed of the game to a freshman who has the game down and is ready to take the Big Ten by storm. In the last five games alone, Ayo has averaged 21 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He continues to do everything on the basketball court at an efficient level. He has shot 40-of-73 from the field, which is 55-percent. He is also 13-of-29 from three-point range in that same five-game stretch, which is 45-percent.
The great play by Ayo is fun for Illinois fans. We get to see a really talented player perform well for this program. But, we are also experiencing something that the previous coaching regime never had to go through. Ayo is in line to be drafted into the NBA after one year of suiting up for the Illini.
It has been a long time since a player for Illinois has entered the NBA Draft with legit expectations of being selected in the first round. I believe the last player to do that was Meyers Leonard after his sophomore season. Well, ESPN came out with their top players for the upcoming draft, and Ayo landed at No. 21 on this list. He is right ahead of Tre Jones for Duke. That is how good this kid is.
So, the big question remains; will Ayo declare for the NBA Draft after his freshman season? That is a question that only Ayo can answer. It isn’t a simple question either. There are many prongs to the answer.
The first that comes to mind is the fact that he is only a freshman, so could he potentially be a lottery pick if he sticks around another year in Champaign? Just look at his progression already through half a season under Brad Underwood. I would bet, with another year under his belt and a winning team, the NBA would be calling for him to be somewhere in the top 10 next year.
Illinois' Best Freshman since Deron Williams/Dee Brown era, @AyoDos_11 already showing Next Level potential! pic.twitter.com/DTMHlYhPeP
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 19, 2019
There is also the other side of things as well. Ayo can finish the season strong and be a first-round pick in the NBA Draft. It is hard to pass up the possibility of being drafted in the first round. It is also hard to pass up the possibility of reaching your dreams of playing in the league and making amazing money. This kid has the talent for the NBA too.
Personally, I want Ayo to make the best decision for him and his family. The fan in me, of course, wants him to stay with the Illini. I want to see Ayo with Illinois for four years. I know that is unrealistic, but it is fun watching this talented of a player play for us. And, honestly, he could probably use another year in college. I am not saying that because of his game, but I am saying that because Illinois is going to be winning more next year. Winning and having the stats he has right now will make him a lottery pick next year. That is more money for him.
There will be a tough decision at the end of this season for Ayo. He is going to have the chance to be a mid-to-low first round draft pick in the NBA. I want him to do the best thing for him and his family. For me, I am going to enjoy what I am watching for the time I get to watch it. We have a special player on our hands.