The Illinois basketball roster has been taking shape over the last few months and it looks like we have every scholarship spoken for.
The final piece to the puzzle was a late addition in Jermaine Hamlin. He is a 6-foot-10 local kid from Lincoln, Illinois. There was some hesitancy about Hamlin entering the college ranks this early, so he had plans to go to prep school this upcoming season. Those plans changed when Illinois came knocking. He decided to edit his plans and commit to the Orange and Blue.
Hamlin was the last addition this offseason, but he wasn’t the only addition as of late. Illinois also added two transfers to the mix. Austin Hutcherson was the first transfer to come aboard. He is a big-time shooting guard who is going to help this team on the perimeter.
The other transfer was Jacob Grandison. He is a player who is going to do some good things at different positions. Brad Underwood says he can play multiple roles, but I have him more as a No. 3 for the Illini. Both Hutcherson and Grandison have to sit out this upcoming season but will still have two years of eligibility remaining.
I like the new additions to the team. The only one who will make an impact this season is Hamlin, though. I think his size will help tremendously. This will also alter the lineup a little bit.
Here is the projected Illini starting lineup with Jermaine Hamlin.