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Illinois Basketball: Christian Brown would be a perfect fit for the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

FORT MYERS, FL - DECEMBER 21: Christian Brown #2 of Oak Hill Academy in action against Imhotep Charter High School during the City Of Palms Classic at Suncoast Credit Union Arena on December 21, 2018 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FL - DECEMBER 21: Christian Brown #2 of Oak Hill Academy in action against Imhotep Charter High School during the City Of Palms Classic at Suncoast Credit Union Arena on December 21, 2018 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Illinois basketball fans had a chance to see a little glimpse of the future this past Sunday.

Kofi Cockburn suited up for Oak Hill Academy and put on a show. He finished the night playing 26 minutes and in that time, he dropped 17 points and pulled down eight rebounds. He lived up to his top 40 ranking in the class of 2019.

Cockburn might not have been the only future Illinois player suiting up for Oak Hill, though. In an article by Ryan McMullen of Zagsblog, he chats with Christian Brown about his recruitment and where the young wing player might be interested in visiting.

Brown is a 6-foot-6, 205-pound small forward from Oak Hill Academy in Mouth Of Wilson, Virginia. He is rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 62 player in the class of 2019 and the No. 15 small forward in the nation. He is also the No. 3 player in the state of Virginia as well.

In the big game on Sunday night that featured Oak Hill taking on IMG Academy, Brown performed well. He ended up winning the MVP of the game as he dropped 22 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in 28 minutes of action. His game was superb and the duo of him and Kofi did wonders against IMG.

Brown divulged some of his recruiting plans to McMullen in the article for Zagsblog. He mentioned three teams he wanted to visit. Brown included North Carolina State, Pittsburgh and Illinois. When it comes to the Illini, he likes that Kofi is already committed to play there. But, what he mentions the most is the coaching. He likes the current coaching staff and the style of play.

It looks like Brown only has three official visits left, so I assume the top five will include NC State, Pittsburg, Georgia, Clemson and Illinois. If the Illini are able to land this top recruit, their class of 2019 would complement the class of 2018 pretty well.

I could see Brown coming in and competing for a starting job day one. There is some solid competition, but he would have a chance to play early. I think he would fit well at the No. 3 spot. Illinois’ starting lineup could potentially be Ayo Dosunmu, Trent Frazier, Christian Brown, Giorgi Bezhanishvili and Kofi Cockburn. That would be a great starting rotation.

Next. 3 stats Kofi Cockburn will improve for the Illini. dark

Illinois is in the mix for another top 100 player for 2019. Let’s snag Brown and continue building. This team will be so good next season.

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