Illinois Basketball: Illini targets in the new 247Sports class of 2021 rankings

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CHAMPAIGN , IL – NOVEMBER 13: The Big 10 logo on the floor before a college basketball game between the Georgetown Hoyas and the Illinois Fighting Illini at the State Farm Center on November 13, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

1. Charles Bediako

There is no doubt in my mind when 2021 rolls around, the Illinois basketball team is going to need some help at the No. 5 spot. We are going to need someone who has length and can defend the rim. That someone could be big man, Charles Bediako.

Bediako is a 6-foot-11, 215-pound center from Andrews Osborne Academy in St. Catharines, Ontario. He is rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 75 player in the class of 2021 and the No. 9 center in the nation. He is also the No. 3 player in Ontario as well.

The new 247Sports rankings don’t have Bediako moving anywhere. He remains at the No. 75 spot. In an article that was published on July 4, Evan Daniels of 247Sports had a chance to chat with Bediako and get a little more information about his recruitment.

In the article, Bediako says Ohio State and Illinois are the two schools recruiting him the hardest right now. This means Brad Underwood and the Illini coaching staff must see something in this kid. Obviously, his numbers speak for themselves.

In the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup that just completed on July 7, Bediako suited up for his home country of Canada. He was able to play in a total of seven games and averaged 8.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest. His best game came against Latvia where he dropped 19 points and pulled down 12 rebounds. There is no doubt this kid is a developing big man who is going to do some damage in the future.

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