Illinois Basketball: 4 mid-level Illini recruiting targets for 2020

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 29: Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleaders run across the court carrying flags during the college basketball game between the Florida Atlantic University Owls and the Illinois Fighting Illini on December 29, 2018, at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Ryan Kalkbrenner

The big man situation could get a little sticky over the next few seasons. Kofi Cockburn won’t last more than two years with the team, so we are going to need to find a suitable replacement. This could be a job for Ryan Kalkbrenner.

Kalkbrenner is a 6-foot-11, 210-pound center from Trinity Catholic High School in St. Louis, Missouri. He is rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 77 player in the class of 2020 and the No. 13 center in the nation. He is also the No. 3 player in the state of Missouri.

247Sports has Creighton, Kansas State, Xavier and Illinois as the leaders right now for Kalkbrenner. Honestly, I don’t think we are close to a decision here. I do think there are a handful of teams who have a chance, though.

Creighton supposedly had the first official visit from Kalkbrenner back on June 14. I would keep them alive. If I had to guess, I would say it is between Creighton, Kansas State, Missouri and Illinois. But he continues to bring in scholarship offers, so who knows. If he continues to play like he’s been playing, the offers will continue to come in as well.

During the 2019 Nike EYBL season, which includes the Peach Jam, Kalkbrenner averaged 7.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.3 blocks per game. He doesn’t have the best touch in the world, but it seems like that is developing and his defense makes up for his lack of offense. There is no doubt in my mind this kid is going to be dangerous at the college level.

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