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Illinois Basketball: 5 transfers who could help the Illini next season

By Rees Woodcock

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 14: Members of the Illinois Fighting Illini watch the final minute from the bench against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the United Center on March 14, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Iowa defeated Illinois 83-62. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 14: Members of the Illinois Fighting Illini watch the final minute from the bench against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the United Center on March 14, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Iowa defeated Illinois 83-62. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – FEBRUARY 18: Marquette Golden Eagles guard Haanif Cheatham (25) plays defense during the Big East conference game between the Marquette Golden Eagles and the Xavier Musketeers on February 18, 2017, at BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, WI.(Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – FEBRUARY 18: Marquette Golden Eagles guard Haanif Cheatham (25) plays defense during the Big East conference game between the Marquette Golden Eagles and the Xavier Musketeers on February 18, 2017, at BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, WI.(Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Haanif Cheatham

I think the areas where Illinois doesn’t need help are the No. 1 guard and the No. 4 and No. 5 roles. These three positions are pretty solid in my eyes. I want to add a nice No. 2 guard and a No. 3 wing player.

I believe Haanif Cheatham would be a solid addition to this team as a graduate transfer. He is a 6-foot-5, 195-pound guard who spent this past season with Florida Gulf Coast. He played his previous three years with Marquette, though.

Cheatham has the ability to score the ball, which is what I want in a backup No. 2 guard. I think he would fit nicely right behind Trent Frazier. Cheatham played 27.3 minutes this past season with Florida Gulf Coast and, in that time, he averaged 13.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He was 45.4-percent from the field and 36.4-percent from three-point range. These are solid numbers.

Moving Cheatham over to the No. 3 spot might not be a bad idea too. Have a starting lineup with Ayo Dosunmu, Frazier, Cheatham, Giorgi Bezhanishvili and Kofi Cockburn. Tevian Jones would then come in and provide some solid minutes as well. This would be a dangerous team.

If Illinois would make a move on Cheatham, I would be a fan. We need more help at the No. 2 and No. 3 spots on this team. He would provide depth and skill at either of these positions.

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