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Illinois Basketball: 2018-19 Illini season wrap-up for Giorgi Bezhanishvili

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 05: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Aaron Jordan (23) react to a play late in the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 5, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 05: Illinois Fighting Illini forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili (15) and Illinois Fighting Illini guard Aaron Jordan (23) react to a play late in the Big Ten Conference college basketball game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Illinois Fighting Illini on February 5, 2019, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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There weren’t too many bright spots for the Illinois basketball team this season, but one of the biggest surprises was the emergence of Giorgi Bezhanishvili.

Giorgi was a true asset to this program. Here is the 2018-19 Illini season wrap-up for this up and coming big man.

Expectations

Honestly, heading into the season, I wasn’t sure who was going to play the No. 5 spot for the Illini. They had a few options which included Giorgi, Samba Kane and then, potentially, a graduate transfer in Adonis De La Rosa.

When I heard Giorgi was getting the nod at the No. 5 spot, I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. I thought this was going to be a weak point for the Illini as far as production goes. He was only a three-star recruit who was the No. 370 player in the class of 2018 and the No. 62 power forward in the nation. Expectations were low for this kid.

Reality

Low expectations soon turned into high hopes when it came to Giorgi’s game. This kid wowed people when he stepped foot on the court. He went from who the heck is the kid to wow he has a really bright future.

Giorgi finished the 2018-19 season averaging 12.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in 26.2 minutes of action. He was third on the team in scoring, right behind Ayo Dosunmu and Trent Frazier, and he led the team in rebounding.

The production Giorgi gave the Illini was way beyond the expectations I had for him. He was, arguably, the best player Illinois had on the court. The only issue I had with him was his ability to stay on the court. His fouling is something that he needs to work on. Besides for fouls, this kid was out of this world.

Future

Illinois has only had one year with Giorgi, and he put up the numbers that were previously mentioned. People continue to talk about Ayo going to the NBA in the near future. I think we probably should start talking about if Giorgi will last all four years.

I see Giorgi moving over to the No. 4 spot next season so Kofi Cockburn can be the No. 5. This will give Giorgi more flexibility with his role on the team. He likes to shoot the ball, so I am curious if he is going to work on his three-point shot this offseason. I would love to see him become a Luka Doncic type of player.

Next. 2018-19 Illini season wrap-up for Trent Frazier. dark

The future is extremely bright for Giorgi. I see him putting up 13 or more points and six or more rebounds per game next season. He should be one of the leading scorers. This Illinois team has found a diamond in the rough.

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